Kerf width adjustment

[Shovelrider78]

OK so i am new here, so i would like to thank anyone that helps answer this question. I am sure it is a simple enough fix and i am just missing it somewhere.

The controls are Plasma cam purchased the begining of january this year.

When i cut out a pattern the kerf is tapered (drastically) i cut a straight line for dimension purposess, the top of the cut is .065 the bottom of the cut is .o27. i am using a fine tip setup on a powermax 65. for this piece i was just playing around with a piece of 18 gauge.

I have read that i can lower the torch to the materials, i have done that and the end result is the numbers indicated above. i also read that i can adjust the voltage to help compensate for the angled kerf. Ok so theres part of the problem is it the arc voltage shift in the Z axis calibration where i am suppose to make that change and is that where i would input the 79 volts?

Also out of curiosity what kind of width of cut can i expect to get with a fine tip, 45 amp and a 65 amp? i am trying to do fine detail work and need to design accordingly.

once again thanks to all who can offer some insite.
Darrell Wynn
PS this site rocks, you guys have put together a awesome site

[jimcolt]

The PlasmaCam machine does not have a "voltage" setting to adjust torch height during the cut. Instead, it has a unique method of setting the height using a sampling process that locks on to the set height that you enter into the PlasmaCam software. Follow the height recommendations in the Hypertherm manual under machine torch cutting (use the consumables as recommended on these cut charts....even if you are using a hand torch).....also follow the PlasmaCam instructions for setting the torch height control offset settings.....best way to get advice is to go to the PlasmaCam web site and get on the users section (you need your machine serial number to get to this area on the site)

Kerf width when the height is corect will be approximately .038" with the FineCut consumables. The kerf will always have some taper.....but no where near what you are experiencing...the cut speed and thye torch height are extremely critical.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Shovelrider78]

Thanks Jim, also on the Z axis, i put in a new piece of metal (out of curiosity) and ran the z axis down to where it almost touched the metal and noticed a negative number (-.083) then of course with a .06 for a cut height i can understand the huge variance in the kerf cut. i am going to go back into the manual and find the section on zeroing out the z axis and i believe that should fix the problem.