Settings For Cutting 11 GA Powermax 1000 CNC

[peepers]

I have a Powermax 1000 on my cnc table with THC-300. I cut 16 ga all the time but have cut very little 11 Ga.
I use the fincut consumables. I now have a few orders that require 11 Ga. I know the manual
has some info but I find that is usually more of a ball park setting rather than a tweaked one.
In the case of 11 Ga the manual is a bit vague.
Any info on cut speed, height and amps would be appreciated.
Thanks

[jimcolt]

The Hypertherm manual is generally very good...however it jumps from 10 to 12 gauge. The specs in the Hyperherm manual were developed by cutting many miles of steel....looking for the best combination of edge angularity with minimal dross.

Start with these settings:

40 amps, Fine Cut Consumables, .08 torch height (thickness of a nickel), pierce height .012 or higher, cut speed 80 ipm. If you have an arc voltage setting....adjust it until the height looks like .080.....it will probably be in the 80 volt range when cutting at 80 inches per minute.

If the cut is drossy.....speed up 5 ipm at a time until the dross goes away.

Let us know how this works.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[peepers]

Thanks Jim. You always have a good answer. I will start with the settings you suggested
and post the results.

[peepers]

Hey Jim, I forgot to ask about pierce delay.
Thanks

[jimcolt]

Pierce delay needs to be just long enough to fully penetrate the material before any motion starts. I would start with about .8 seconds.

Jim

[peepers]

Thanks again Jim. This info should save me a lot of time and material.

[peepers]

Thanks again Jim. As usual you are right. I cut a very detailed sign from 11 ga at the settings you reccomended, other than I changed pierce delay to .5 and dropped amps just below 40 amps. It cut very near doss free only a few minutes with a wire brush to clean up.

[hunterworks]

My hypertherm powermax 1000 has been on 60 amps since day one mostly cutting 16ga aluminum. What would be the advantage of using lower amperage?

[jimcolt]

Plasma, like many other processes, works best when the power and speed are matched to what you are cutting. On gauge aluminum...use FineCut parts at lower amperage......follow the cutting charts in the Hypertherm manual. You will have narrower kerf, less or no dross, no warpage squarer edges and finer features at lower power levels.

Jim colt, Hypertherm

[jeeplogic83]

Peepers, I cut 11 ga all the time. I have the mp300. I use a cut speed of 85 inches. tip volts 100 and amps set at 40. works great.