Ideally the pierce height should be 1 8 off of the material surface you are cutting to allow the plasma to penetrate but more importantly when using arc voltage height control systems to help maintain the height of the torch tip while the voltage is being read.
Plasma cutting torch height.
However voltage regulated height controls can fail to protect the torch.
Air plasma system oxygen plasma high definition class plasma motion control device e g.
Plasma cutting system e g.
Thc3t 04 is a heavy duty highly accurate plasma torch height controller designed for use with high performance automated plasma cutting systems.
This retraction continues for a timed period and then lowers to correct cutting height after the machine is moving at cutting speed.
Dialing in your pierce height is the cornerstone to successful plasma cutting.
Setting the voltage too high results in more material being removed from the top of the kerf than the bottom.
Plasma cutting torch 40a pt31 16ft high duty cycle plasma torch for plasma cutter 50a works with esab l tec pt 31 jg 40 wsd lg40 cutting torch lgk40 cut40 4 4 out of 5 stars 24 39 99.
The sampled arc voltage cnc setting results in proper torch height for optimal cut quality over the life of the consumables without requiring operator adjustment.
Cutting speed cut height choice of consumables external variables e g.
Torch height sensors also offer protection from torch crashes by correcting for variations in the material.
Remember that a typical plasma cutting torch tip to plate distance is only 0 060 and that normal sheet metal and plate stock are not.
This allows the pierce spatter to clear the nozzle.
This allows the system to maintain proper torch height regardless of variations in the material of flatness of the cutting bed.
Torch rising during standing pierce.
Hypertherm s arcglide thc and sensor thc torch height controls automatically and continuously sample and adjust arc voltage to correct consumable wear.
Higher than normal initial height pierce standing pierce.
This causes excessive top rounding and positive bevel see fig.
Torch collisions with the workpiece can be prevented by programming the shape cutting system to travel around rather than over cut parts.
Material variability gas purity operator experience.
Torch height has the greatest affect on bevel angle of the plasma cut piece.
Capability of the cnc machine and torch height control process variables e g.