.080 aluminum

[Catgraphics]

hi guys i dred cuting aluminum i just cant get a hole part to cut nice i always get spots that dont cut and alot of them i know it moves alot but it is so annoying. i am runing a powermax 1000 at about 35 volts with fine cut tips at 183 ipm. does any one have any experince cuting clean on thin aluminum? What should i do.

[jimcolt]

I have done a lot of .080" and .090" aluminum with excellent results. What cnc machine and torch height control are you using? What consumables are you using on the Powermax1000?

Here is what I would suggest:

Use the 40 amp shielded consumables.
shield....120930
Retaining Cap....120928
Nozzle....120932
Electrode....120926
Swirl Ring....120925

Set amperage to 30 amps (this is a 40 amp set of consumables...but lower amperage will allow you to cut slower, which will keep your machine on track better)

Cut speed: 150 ipm
Cut Height: .06" (adjust arc voltage while cutting at the above speed..until the torch is .06" (1/16") off the plate...this is critical to get good quality cuts and minimize warpage)
Pierce height: .06"

If you cannot get decent cuts with the 40 amp consumables as listed above...then we could develop specs for the FineCut consumables. The biggest problem I usually find on thin materials like this is that too much power is applied, and the machine cannot maintain speed. Alos, of utmost importance is maintaining the .06" cut height.

Attached is a picture of .080" aluminum cut on my machine.


Jim Colt Hypertherm