Cut Quality Problems

[Torchmate]

Cut quality can be negatively affected by a variety of different issues.

Check out the video below to solve many of the major causes:

Do you have a cut quality issue? Post below and let's figure it out!

 

[Kchoghead]

Anybody got cut settings for 14 and 16 gauge that they would want to share.. I am using Accumove 2 and hypertherm pm45... Doing OK but want to dial in to reduce or eliminate dross

 

[Jeff Tures]

I don't have Accumove 2 but on 16 gauge Jim Colt told me to move my cut height from .06 to .075 and it made a big difference. I have a machine torch....not sure if that makes a difference or not.

 

[jimcolt]

Jeff, The higher cut height was for the Powermax65/85/105 when using Finecut consumables......the Powermax45 does not have that capability. Doug, generally if you follow the book specs (height speed amperage) you will be able to eliminate dross. The biggest issue on thin materials is with the ability of your machine being stable at the higher cut speeds required to eliminate dross, as dross is caused by cutting too slow or with the torch height too high. You also can switch to the Powermax30 (T30) torch consumables for slower speeds...there is a cut chart in your Powermax30 operators manual for using these. Jim Colt

 

[Kchoghead]

Jim
Just checked the HT 45 manual and it calls for 350 ipm f0r 16 guage material....I am running a Torchmate 4x4 with Accumove 2 controller. Torchmate tech told me that the max on this table is 170 ipm ...that is about half of what the book calls for

 

[jimcolt]

If you open up your manual to the 45 amp shielded cut chart again.....you will see specs for using the same consumables for cutting at 30 amps at 225 ipm on 16 gauge (top part of the cut chart). Even at 170 ipm running with these specs may help. Then, you can flip back a few pages on the cut charts and you will see that if you use the unshielded T30 consumables, the spec for 16 gauge is 175 ipm at 30 amps......the drawback with the T30 parts is that the ohmic contact function will not work.

I would suggest trying the 30 amp shielded specs at 170 ipm (using the 45 amp shielded consumables.)

Jim Colt Hypertherm

 

[Kchoghead]

Thanks Jim ... I will try 30 amps settings with the 45 consumables..That way I can retain ohmic

 

[Arkansas Metal Art]

I cut almost everything out of 14g. I have a 2x2, powermax 45 with hand torch and manual height control. I've found 30 amps and 70ipm with a .6 pierce time works best. Sounds way to slow but works great for me. Minimal dross. The line cut speed test that torchmate offers is a valuable tool for establishing your own settings.

 

[Matt]

I cut almost everything out of 14g. I have a 2x2, powermax 45 with hand torch and manual height control. I've found 30 amps and 70ipm with a .6 pierce time works best. Sounds way to slow but works great for me. Minimal dross. The line cut speed test that torchmate offers is a valuable tool for establishing your own settings.

For getting speed settings I always suggest using the Line Speed Test. It gives you something you can physically look at to compare how the various speeds affect the cut quality,just make sure that when you do test that you track your settings so your not retesting for the same setup in the future.

 

[Arkansas Metal Art]

For getting speed settings I always suggest using the Line Speed Test. It gives you something you can physically look at to compare how the various speeds affect the cut quality,just make sure that when you do test that you track your settings so your not retesting for the same setup in the future.

Agree. I saved the line test squares from 4 different materials. Wrote the thickness on each of them in black marker and keep them on my bench. I entered my data in an excel spreadsheet that lists material thickness, cut speed, amps and pierce time. It's a great reference.

Next step is to setup multiple tools with different pierce times so I don't have to manually change it every time. Havent walked through that yet. Unless there's an easier way?

 

[Kchoghead]

Jim colt to rescue again! 16 gauge 30 amps..111 volts ...cut height .60.... 170 ipm. 45 amp consumables.... perfect cut ...almost no dross....A big THANK YOU Jim Colt!

 

[jimcolt]

Actually...the specs were right out of the Hypertherm operators manual. I always suggest trying that first as these charts were developed by cutting tons of steel, stainless and aluminum to determine the best starting points. Variations is metal chemistry will affect cutting......so after you start at the "book" specs.....if the cut is still not as good as you think it could be....then use the line test as posted here to fine tune. Once you get a respectable cut....record all of your specs so you can do it again! Glad it seems to be working! Jim Colt