I'm having trouble with my pierces on 3/8 plate, I'm running a do it yourself table, delta cad, sheet-cam, mach 3, td cuttmaster 82, z axis with no- voltage thc.
i have played with pierce delay,amperage,pierce height, ramp in etc. could you fellas give me some of your specs for this as I'm sure it's just a setting issue, thanks for your help Bob
3/8 mild steel pierce problems
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bob49
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jimcolt
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Re: 3/8 mild steel pierce problems
The T-D operators manual has specifications for piercing. The big problem is that pierce height and cut height are different, so without a torch height control system you have limited capability of properly controlling both.
1. Pierce height values are suggested by the torch manufacturer...this is the height that allow the torch to pierce each plate thickness without having the pierce blowback damage the torch consumables. One pierce too close and the tip (nozzle) on the torch will get some orifice damage....and that will cause cut quality problems ...usually angularity onthe cut edges.
2. Also important is pierce delay time, also suggested in the cut charts in the operator manual. It is important to remain in position (at the pierce height) and without any x or y movement, until the plasma arc has fully penetrated the plate.
3. Cut height, also suggested inthe manufacturers cut charts is usually quite a bit clower to the plate...this is the height that should be maintained during steady state cutting. Different heights will cause cut edge angularity, dross, and plate warpage.
Without a height control:
If you are piercing materials thinner than 3/16".....you can often get away with piercing at the cut height.....expect shorter consumable life than you would expect with a height control, but it will work. On thicknesses above 3/16"....if you pierce at the recommended pierce height (which is probably best for consumable life) and cut at this same height...expect some cut edge angularity. Sometimes you can find a happy medium between the cut height and the pierce height that will work adequately, however try to use a pierc delay so the torch does not move until the pierce is complete.....and ensure your torch maintains height accurately through the duration of the cut....a variation of .010" in height will change the edge angularity and dross during the cut.
Heigfht controls for plasma are worth their weight in gold over time....with dramatically longer plasma consumable life as well as better cut quality.....and a height control allows you to walk away from the machine while it cuts multiple parts automatically, meaning much better shop productivity.
Jim Colt Hypertherm
1. Pierce height values are suggested by the torch manufacturer...this is the height that allow the torch to pierce each plate thickness without having the pierce blowback damage the torch consumables. One pierce too close and the tip (nozzle) on the torch will get some orifice damage....and that will cause cut quality problems ...usually angularity onthe cut edges.
2. Also important is pierce delay time, also suggested in the cut charts in the operator manual. It is important to remain in position (at the pierce height) and without any x or y movement, until the plasma arc has fully penetrated the plate.
3. Cut height, also suggested inthe manufacturers cut charts is usually quite a bit clower to the plate...this is the height that should be maintained during steady state cutting. Different heights will cause cut edge angularity, dross, and plate warpage.
Without a height control:
If you are piercing materials thinner than 3/16".....you can often get away with piercing at the cut height.....expect shorter consumable life than you would expect with a height control, but it will work. On thicknesses above 3/16"....if you pierce at the recommended pierce height (which is probably best for consumable life) and cut at this same height...expect some cut edge angularity. Sometimes you can find a happy medium between the cut height and the pierce height that will work adequately, however try to use a pierc delay so the torch does not move until the pierce is complete.....and ensure your torch maintains height accurately through the duration of the cut....a variation of .010" in height will change the edge angularity and dross during the cut.
Heigfht controls for plasma are worth their weight in gold over time....with dramatically longer plasma consumable life as well as better cut quality.....and a height control allows you to walk away from the machine while it cuts multiple parts automatically, meaning much better shop productivity.
Jim Colt Hypertherm
bob49 wrote:I'm having trouble with my pierces on 3/8 plate, I'm running a do it yourself table, delta cad, sheet-cam, mach 3, td cuttmaster 82, z axis with no- voltage thc.
i have played with pierce delay,amperage,pierce height, ramp in etc. could you fellas give me some of your specs for this as I'm sure it's just a setting issue, thanks for your help Bob
