trouble with a lincoln arclight plasma table

[mtvet06]

I am having trouble with a older Arclight plasma table at the school house. The plasma torch is not cutting all the way through the metal no mater the thickness. I start the machine up by homing the z axis and x axis. Then zero the torch head to the sheet metal or plate I am trying to cut. I also home the z axis to the metal then zero it. We use Sheetcam to get the N.G.C. file. We make sure the right thickness is imputed into the programing and have tried reducing the feed rate to see if that helps. I'm personally thinking it might be a air pressure issue, dirty air filter, pour ground, or even bad software. It gouges the metal or cuts partially and then gouges.

Anyone have any ideas?

Zach

[68rscamaro]

Without seeing whats happening it hard to say. Tried new consumables? Could be the feed rate, cut height etc. Are you setting the plasma unit itself on the correct amperage for the consumables and material being cut? If it's cutting a little and then stops cutting through I would start by slowing the feedrate down or turning up the amps

[mtvet06]

Thank you 68rscamaro

[adbuch]

I am having trouble with a older Arclight plasma table at the school house. The plasma torch is not cutting all the way through the metal no mater the thickness. I start the machine up by homing the z axis and x axis. Then zero the torch head to the sheet metal or plate I am trying to cut. I also home the z axis to the metal then zero it. We use Sheetcam to get the N.G.C. file. We make sure the right thickness is imputed into the programing and have tried reducing the feed rate to see if that helps. I'm personally thinking it might be a air pressure issue, dirty air filter, pour ground, or even bad software. It gouges the metal or cuts partially and then gouges.

Anyone have any ideas?

Zach

Zach - the first thing I would do is to try doing some manual cutting (hand cutting) with your plasma cutter to see if it will cut properly. If it does, then we can rule out the plasma cutter and start looking at the table/controller/software. If it does not cut correctly by hand, then look for error code on cutter display, low air pressure, damaged consumables, proper input voltage to plasma cutter, etc.

David

[tcaudle]

incomplete penetration is for one reason: Lack of POWER at the cut point. What are the factors that constitute POWER? Its the voltage X the Current
Assuming the air flow is not blocked there has to be enough power at the cut to melt the metal and blow it way . While height can cause problems none penetration would have to be above the pierce height for it to fail a full pierce

Most common cause of not cutting through the material is a poor or missing Workclamp connection . Misnamed , the Workclamp is not a GROUND calm . Often simply clipping it to the table structure will not get full current tot he cut . As slag build up on slats the conduction of those goes down and cause current to be diverted away from the cut. Begin by check the workclamp cable connection at BOTH ends . Then clamp it to the material you are cutting to see if the problem goes away.

There are some sons consumable issues that can cause it including the Swirl ring and the O-Rind seal that lets air escape. Also, No plugged holes on t he shield .

As David suggest manually checking the cut is a valid form of troubleshooting . Ultimately its down to the plasma especially if you have tried it with the DTHC in MANUAL and OFF .

[tcaudle]

You can also go to our Support Forum for direct support or our website in the SUPPORT section and fill out a an RFS (request for Support)
I am 90% sure this is a current (lack thereof) issue

[mtvet06]

After spending Thursday troubleshooting, reading online, manuals I finally got it to cut everything below 1/4" plate. I have not tested it yet on it. The consumables were all thrown into one box by previous students. I spent sometime going through them sorting and labeling different bins for the 45 amp and 65 amp. Once the correct consumables were used it cut just like it is supposed to. I am assuming it will cut correctly with the 65 amp when I test on Tuesday.

zach

[adbuch]

After spending Thursday troubleshooting, reading online, manuals I finally got it to cut everything below 1/4" plate. I have not tested it yet on it. The consumables were all thrown into one box by previous students. I spent sometime going through them sorting and labeling different bins for the 45 amp and 65 amp. Once the correct consumables were used it cut just like it is supposed to. I am assuming it will cut correctly with the 65 amp when I test on Tuesday.

zach

Keep us posted.
David