Settings for 1/8" Steel Diamond Plate

[tylerd]

Was able to find a thread on aluminum but not for steel. Does anyone have specific settings for 1/8" steel diamond plate? I have THCIV so my machine oght to be able to hang with it, just looking for some feedback before I attempt it, since I am a beginner. Would like to achieve equal performance in this video if possible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-rjL8lFKhU.

Thanks in advance!

[jimcolt]

Use the 1/8" steel specs from your Powermax85 operators panel. Use either the Finecut consumables or the 45 amps shielded (better cuts with Finecut, longer life and faster speeds with 45 amp shielded). If you have advanced height control....best cut quality is with the bumps up. Jim Colt Hypertherm

[tylerd]

Are you sure that the 1\8" book specs will work for the treadplate? Seems like a lot people adjusted those in the aluminum threads I read about. Should I try setting the specs to match the raised parts, (thicker), of the tread?

[jimcolt]

I have been plasma cutting for 40 years....so I'm pretty sure that using the 1/8" specs from the Hypertherm cut charts will work best. This assumes your height control is accurate and works as designed. If you want to make adjustments....that is why the amperage knob, air pressure, speed, height, etc. all are adjustable. When I cut treadplate I cut it at the book specs for the nominal thickness with the bumps up! Hypertherm spends months and uses tons of steel to develop the cutting specs for the manual. The "best quality" specs for each thickness are a balance of edge quality and minimal dross formation as well as maximum consumable parts life (low operating cost)....they are not maximum speeds, so there is plenty of room to cover for the additional thickness of the bumps. Slowing down to accommodate the bumps will increase dross, increase kerf width and increase heat input on the material. Jim Colt Hypertherm

[tylerd]

You are the man Jim! Thanks again for the guidance!

[tylerd]

Well it seems there is no cut chart for 1\8" steel, it is a choice between either 10ga or 12ga, I think I am going to try 10ga settings and see what happens.

[tylerd]

Ok cut this last weekend, after I went back and watched you tube video again. Under the video it stated the cut speed of 100 IPM, the speed for 10GA is 100IPM so that is what I used. It cut it great with the stock settings for 10GA and with the DTHC on slow in command cnc. I did have one torch crash that I didn't even notice, until after I moved the part or I probably could have went back over it. I think the metal just popped up due to it already having slight bow in it. Other than that it was uneventful. Here are some pics of the fire pit I cut out. Hopefully this can help someone else.

[BTA Plasma]

Great job!

[little blue choo]

Looks Good

Rick