The new SmartSYNC plasma cutting system

[34by151]

I have ordered a new table (bigger unit) so im faced with a sync unit.

My issue is we have a large stock of the "standard" consumables.
I see we can adapt the duramax torch to sync consumables but is there a solution for the other way around.
IE use standard consumables on the sync torch?

[beefy]

I have ordered a new table (bigger unit) so im faced with a sync unit.

My issue is we have a large stock of the "standard" consumables.
I see we can adapt the duramax torch to sync consumables but is there a solution for the other way around.
IE use standard consumables on the sync torch?

Read this thread from the beginning and you'll find it was that question that seemed to make the Hypertherm rep. disappear LOL.
So I think it's safe to assume the answer is NO.

[34by151]

I get that and have read it all.
Im just waiting for someone to check the old torch plugged into the new sync unit

Will it work?
Are the plugs even the same?

Guess ill find out when my new unit is delivered.
Like a lot of people I have a bunch of the standard 45/65A consumables
Now I have purchased a 105 Sync I just dont want to waste them all

Wish I upgraded earler

I have no need (and im guessing few do) for a standard consumable to sync cartrige adapter unless the old torh works in the new machine
I'd buy a sync cartrige to standard consumable adapter in a heartbeat

Assuming im stuck with old consumables, Im seriously considering canceling the order and getting the 125 to avoid all this
Just my 2 cents

[adbuch]

I get that and have read it all.
Im just waiting for someone to check the old torch plugged into the new sync unit

Will it work?
Are the plugs even the same?

Guess ill find out when my new unit is delivered.
Like a lot of people I have a bunch of the standard 45/65A consumables
Now I have purchased a 105 Sync I just dont want to waste them all

Wish I upgraded earler

I have no need (and im guessing few do) for a standard consumable to sync cartrige adapter unless the old torh works in the new machine
I'd buy a sync cartrige to standard consumable adapter in a heartbeat

Assuming im stuck with old consumables, Im seriously considering canceling the order and getting the 125 to avoid all this
Just my 2 cents

You can always sell your new unused Duramax consumables. I expect there will be plenty of takers like me who still run the Hypertherm Duramax cutters.
David

[HypHyDef]

I have ordered a new table (bigger unit) so im faced with a sync unit.

My issue is we have a large stock of the "standard" consumables.
I see we can adapt the duramax torch to sync consumables but is there a solution for the other way around.
IE use standard consumables on the sync torch?

Read this thread from the beginning and you'll find it was that question that seemed to make the Hypertherm rep. disappear LOL.
So I think it's safe to assume the answer is NO.

My apologies for not being on the forum for the past little while. I was not trying to avoid the question. In fact I thought that I had already answered it. for clarity the new SYNC systems are not compatible with the older Duramax torches. they are not pinned the same way due to the smart features in the SYNC Power supply. If you have any other questions feel free to ask, i'll do my best to get you the answers you need. I want to mention again, this technology was put into development nearly a decade ago, this is not something we quickly cooked up for the reasons some of you have mentioned. Our past generation PMX systems will have access to consumables and repair parts for many years to come. This technology is new, once we have more systems in shops where you can see and guage the reactions of those owners and see the data for yourself, you can all make the decisions if this will work for you. Again, i'm sorry for my absense.

[HypHyDef]

Same. I have 3 powermax 85 units, I dont think there has ever been better unit made. But when they are done I will be shopping elsewhere. I put a post in the contact form at HT, no response after several weeks.

I see that you have mentioned filling out a form with no response, Can you tell me which form you filled out and what your questions are and i'll personally get you the information you need. Very sorry for the delay.

[HypHyDef]

I agree beefy. I think they're doing this to lessen the number of service calls from inexperienced people. If we make it all automatic, surely they can't mess it up.
Unfortunately some of us like to choose when to replace our consumables depending on the quality we need for a particular job.
If I have a bad pierce and wreck a nozzle, why change the electrode and shield?
If Hypertherm moves in a different direction, someone will step up and fill the void.
Hopefully one of the geniuses on this site will 3d print an adapter to allow using the Duramax torch on a Sync.

With the SYNC system you can keep your cartridge and know exactly how much life you have left in that cartridge before starting a job. You can accomplish the same task. If you have a large job coming up, check your cartridge for life and if it's not enough to finish the job then put that aside for another job. The difference here is you will have the information before you fire up your CNC if you will have the life left in your cartridge so you won't have to stop the job in the middle and change out your consumables.

[HypHyDef]

Hopefully one of the geniuses on this site will 3d print an adapter to allow using the Duramax torch on a Sync.

Hey...I know someone with a 3D printer...look up...nudge nudge AC

Yes, I am with you guys. These modern day tactics are annoying at best, do they really think we believe them when they say they have designed this with us in mind. Give me a break. Just cause you say its so doesn't make it so, that's liberal logic and one day that crap won't fly anymore. I am not apposed to trying something new, I sure won't be buying a Hypertherm again if I am forced to use the "Smart"Sync system and I have bought more than a few HT's in my days.

nearly a decade ago Hypertherm reached out to business with the purpose of finding out what was the cause of productions slow downs and waste, where were they losing money the most. out of that communication we started developing a way to help the end users, businesses find ways to keep production moving and lessen waste. We tested SYNC all over the world in real production facilities for years looking to help them. SYNC is what came from this nearly decade of work. Hypertherm has a strong record of building quality machines and do our best to make a product that will ultimately cost the user less over the lifetime of the machine. I'm sorry to hear you feel we have moved away from that.

[HypHyDef]

1250, 65 & 105 here.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.. I am tired of companies who think they know what I want! Understanding consumables and their wear is but one requirement required to run a CNC table.

Stop providing us with Duramax consumables and we will buy cheep knock offs from oversees (it's really that simple)

Hypertherm is not going to stop selling Duramax consumables anytime in the near future, check out our history of how long we continue to support our systems, it's decades in most cases.

[djreiswig]

I agree beefy. I think they're doing this to lessen the number of service calls from inexperienced people. If we make it all automatic, surely they can't mess it up.
Unfortunately some of us like to choose when to replace our consumables depending on the quality we need for a particular job.
If I have a bad pierce and wreck a nozzle, why change the electrode and shield?
If Hypertherm moves in a different direction, someone will step up and fill the void.
Hopefully one of the geniuses on this site will 3d print an adapter to allow using the Duramax torch on a Sync.

With the SYNC system you can keep your cartridge and know exactly how much life you have left in that cartridge before starting a job. You can accomplish the same task. If you have a large job coming up, check your cartridge for life and if it's not enough to finish the job then put that aside for another job. The difference here is you will have the information before you fire up your CNC if you will have the life left in your cartridge so you won't have to stop the job in the middle and change out your consumables.

So how exactly does the sync know if I have a bad pierce and blow a chunk out of my nozzle on the first pierce? And how does wrecking a nozzle on the first pierce justify also replacing the swirl ring, electrode and shield? Seems kinda wasteful.

[acourtjester]

Ok can a unit be ordered with the older type torch, or are you only selling the new sync units.

[djreiswig]

It's my understanding that the Duramax torch units are not manufactured anymore.

[adbuch]

Ok can a unit be ordered with the older type torch, or are you only selling the new sync units.

Only new sync torch. Duramax torches are still being manufactured, but only fit the 45xp and powermax series.
David

[djreiswig]

It looks like they make an adapter to use the sync cartridges on the Duramax torches.
https://www.hypertherm.com/Download?fil ... &zip=False
I tried to find a service manual for the sync to compare the torch connectors, but no luck. Visually they appear to be similar connectors, but they might not be compatible.

[adbuch]

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Duramax cartridge adapter.jpg (45.24 KiB) Viewed 1675 times

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[adbuch]

New SmartSYNC style cartridge.jpg (36.89 KiB) Viewed 1675 times

New SmartSYNC style cartridge.jpg (36.89 KiB) Viewed 1675 times

[rdj357]

Nice, thanks for the research David! I’m going to order a full setup and test these suckers out! I have classes to teach and getting some experience with these will be a necessity!

[HypHyDef]

Ok can a unit be ordered with the older type torch, or are you only selling the new sync units.

We are not selling the previous PMX65, 85, 105 units any longer. Only SYNC systems are currently available for order as well as our PMX45 XP.

[HypHyDef]

I agree beefy. I think they're doing this to lessen the number of service calls from inexperienced people. If we make it all automatic, surely they can't mess it up.
Unfortunately some of us like to choose when to replace our consumables depending on the quality we need for a particular job.
If I have a bad pierce and wreck a nozzle, why change the electrode and shield?
If Hypertherm moves in a different direction, someone will step up and fill the void.
Hopefully one of the geniuses on this site will 3d print an adapter to allow using the Duramax torch on a Sync.

With the SYNC system you can keep your cartridge and know exactly how much life you have left in that cartridge before starting a job. You can accomplish the same task. If you have a large job coming up, check your cartridge for life and if it's not enough to finish the job then put that aside for another job. The difference here is you will have the information before you fire up your CNC if you will have the life left in your cartridge so you won't have to stop the job in the middle and change out your consumables.

So how exactly does the sync know if I have a bad pierce and blow a chunk out of my nozzle on the first pierce? And how does wrecking a nozzle on the first pierce justify also replacing the swirl ring, electrode and shield? Seems kinda wasteful.

The SYNC system will not prevent you from having a bad pierce. Do you find that is something that happes a lot? This is not something we heard from our research unlike what we heard about improper installation of consumables as well as having multiple pieces to stock for various applications. The cartridge system looked to help in those areas. We get that not everyone will want to use this system and that is why we continue to support our legacy systems for as long as we do.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

1250, 65 & 105 here.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.. I am tired of companies who think they know what I want! Understanding consumables and their wear is but one requirement required to run a CNC table.

Stop providing us with Duramax consumables and we will buy cheep knock offs from oversees (it's really that simple)

Hypertherm is not going to stop selling Duramax consumables anytime in the near future, check out our history of how long we continue to support our systems, it's decades in most cases.

Sorry,

I'm still not on board with your new system and don't recall getting a survey on the subject even thou all 3 units are registered at Hypertherm.

[adbuch]

Nice, thanks for the research David! I’m going to order a full setup and test these suckers out! I have classes to teach and getting some experience with these will be a necessity!

Robert - this might be fun to play around with. It would be very handy if Hypertherm offered a small portable stand-alone "cartridge reader", or at least one that interfaces to a pc. This would allow reading the cartridge to find out exactly how much is it worn, how much longer it will be useful, etc. without actually having to own one of the SYNC cutters.
David

[adbuch]

I guess Hypertherm has already thought of this, and I wasn't paying close enough attention when I posted yesterday. So it does look like you can read the cartridge without having to own one of the SmartSYNC cutters.
David


https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/hypert ... ge-reader/

as_cartridgereader_600x420.jpg (29.52 KiB) Viewed 1650 times

as_cartridgereader_600x420.jpg (29.52 KiB) Viewed 1650 times

[djreiswig]

With the SYNC system you can keep your cartridge and know exactly how much life you have left in that cartridge before starting a job. You can accomplish the same task. If you have a large job coming up, check your cartridge for life and if it's not enough to finish the job then put that aside for another job. The difference here is you will have the information before you fire up your CNC if you will have the life left in your cartridge so you won't have to stop the job in the middle and change out your consumables.

So how exactly does the sync know if I have a bad pierce and blow a chunk out of my nozzle on the first pierce? And how does wrecking a nozzle on the first pierce justify also replacing the swirl ring, electrode and shield? Seems kinda wasteful.

The SYNC system will not prevent you from having a bad pierce. Do you find that is something that happes a lot? This is not something we heard from our research unlike what we heard about improper installation of consumables as well as having multiple pieces to stock for various applications. The cartridge system looked to help in those areas. We get that not everyone will want to use this system and that is why we continue to support our legacy systems for as long as we do.

Not saying it would prevent a bad pierce. Just wondering how it knows that the cartridge is bad. Is it simply counting pierces and cut time to determine life? Sometimes circumstances cause shorter life to certain components. I'm just wondering what the sync would say if I blew a chunk out of a nozzle on the very first pierce. Would it say I'm good to keep cutting? I expect so, but my eyes would tell me to replace just the nozzle. The other parts are obviously still serviceable.
I don't remember seeing a survey either.

[Rocketdc]

I have two hypertherms and got my pmx 85 for the cnc table last summer and thankful I did before the switch. As a small business I embrace technology where it makes sense and I can understand why some customers would like the sync system as this "make everything as simple as possible through technology" mantra is saturating every manufacturer and market.

I find it laughable that keeping track of a couple different amp tips for the plasma cutter is some highly advanced skill that can't be trained or learned in the matter of minutes. I'm not trashing hypertherm or the sync system, I think it's great that they keep modernizing and improving their product line as I do the same with mine. What I don't get is why they feel the need to discontinue the pmx models, seems foolish to me. In my case, the additional cost of the power source and consumables doesn't make sense and I would have purchased a plasma cutter from another manufacturer had they implemented this switch a year ago.

[HypHyDef]

1250, 65 & 105 here.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.. I am tired of companies who think they know what I want! Understanding consumables and their wear is but one requirement required to run a CNC table.

Stop providing us with Duramax consumables and we will buy cheep knock offs from oversees (it's really that simple)

Hypertherm is not going to stop selling Duramax consumables anytime in the near future, check out our history of how long we continue to support our systems, it's decades in most cases.

Sorry,

I'm still not on board with your new system and don't recall getting a survey on the subject even thou all 3 units are registered at Hypertherm.

We did not send out a survey as research, we had face to face conversations with businesses across the world and asked them what pain points they were experiencing. This is what led to the development of this new system. You absolutely are not forced into the new SYNC power supplies and cartridge consumables. We are not abandoning the Duramax torches or the consumables.