beveled cuts - HT 400

[roblight20]

We have a 400 unit and seem to get beveled cuts. Bevels are not in the same direction like it is out of level. Circles are the worst.

[jimcolt]

If you can supply a little more info......Hypertherm has built a few different 400 amp plasma systems over the years...the HT400, the 2x200, the HT4000, the HT4001, the HT4100, the HT4400 and the HPR400xd. If you can let me know which one....then the brand and mfg. or the cnc machine....the cnc controller, and the height control system.....also, what type and thickness of material.


There are a lot of variables....I have worked with each of hese systems and would be happy to help your sort it out!


Best regards, Jim Colt Hypertherm

[roblight20]

It is a HT400 with a burny 5 on a MG table. Old School. We are a job shop so we cut from 16 ga. thru 2 inch. steel, aluminum and stainless.

[jimcolt]

That gets me a little closer.....that plasma has been out of prodyuction for over 20 years.....but on some materials it cuts very well.

-What type and thicknesses of material are you haveing trouble with?
-Are you cutting steel with oxygen and aluminum and stainless with nitrogen?
-I assume that you are complaining about a varying bevel?
-Are you following the cut specs in the opertors manual?
-Is the height control working correctly to maintain proper arc voltage and height?


Jim Colt

[roblight20]

Sorry so long on reply. It is basically on all material more noticeable the thicker the material. We use house air and the height control does work. Manual states varying setting for voltage which we follow but states a constant of 260 on amperage for all steel and slight changes for aluminum.

[jimcolt]

The HT400 (last produced about 25 years ago) is a water injected Oxygen or Nitrogen industrial plasma system. It is rated to cut from 1/4" to 1-1/4" steel with oxygen as the plasma gas, and from 1/4" to 2" on stainless and aluminum using nitrogen as the plasma gas.

This system was never designed to cut using air.....and also does not do a good job on materials below 1/4" due to the minimum cutting power level of 260 amps.

If you cut using the oxygen specs as outlined in the system manual...it will do an excellent job within its capability range.

Jim Colt Hypertherm