Help...need a finer detail plasma.

[martinmetal]

I am running a Hypertherm Powermax 85 with machine torch on my cnc table. The guy down the street is kicking my tail with extremely detailed and wirelike cuts. I just can't get that degree of precision when the smallest orifice consumable available is a 45 amp fine cut. I'm looking for advice on which machine I can purchase that can be connected to my table control, has a machine torch, and has consumable fine enough to such detail.
Any advice is welcome.
Thank you,
Travis

[mdwalker]

Purchase one like he has........

[martinmetal]

Haven't been able to find out what he has.
Does anyone know of a machine with a machine torch and can hook up to my system that can run at low amperage with smaller orifice consumables than the 45 amp fine cut consumables from Hypertherm?

[motoguy]

Have you tried running at lower amperage with the fine cuts? I haven't yet, but I know some guys run down to 25a with the fine cuts, for very thin kerf. I don't know what their other settings (voltage, ipm, etc) are, though.

[martinmetal]

I'm currently experimenting with all different settings now. I'll let you know what I figure out.

[jimcolt]

What material thickness and type, and can you give us an idea of the detail you need? A picture with dimensions, or even a .dxf file would be great. It will be difficult to find a plasma that will have a narrower kerf than your Powermax with Finecuts. Keep in mind that good detail on cutting is a combined effort of motion control, acceleration, cut speeds and height control. The plasma is only one part of the equation.

Some pics of the cuts you are getting.....with your thoughts on the areas that need improvement will help us help you as well. Info regarding your machine, software, height control, etc. will help.


Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Brand X]

Sometimes you can cheat very thin material by using a water table to control the burn-off of very thin edges.. It just one more tool to use..I agree, it will be quite hard to get much thinner Kerf in Air Plasma then with the powermax systems. You could match it, but highly unlikely to get any better over setting up things correctly. My Esab with 20 amp tips was pretty good, along with my finecuts on my Powermax.. Leaves you Victor, and with work, you can get good detail.. Don't really have too many more good options in Air plasma.. Maybe drag by hand with a low amp plasma cutter..

[tcaudle]

The guy down the street may not be using plasma. Really fine lines could be water jet or even laser cut. There is a finite kerf width when you are cutting with a 30,000 deg arc and blowing it out with shop air.

[NFRSteel]

Following. I use a hypotherm too. Concerned about detail.

[Thor]

Yeah, my bet would be on a laser. I think I read that the new fiber lasers have a .004" kerf width.

But yes finecut consumables and I run 30-35 amps when cutting 20-22ga.