Cut Quality - Lincoln Electric Torchmate 4400 User Manual

Line Speed Test:
Line Speed Test Cut:
User Guide

Cut Quality

The total goal is to make sure the cuts coming off of your table are the best possible.
This means that there is minimal dross accumulation on the underside of your cut parts
and minimal bevel on the sides.
We have provided a file to cut to verify the feed rate for the material you are planning to
cut with the amperage set on the power supply. The LINE SPEED TEST is in the job list
and should be run on every thickness of material at the specified amperages in the cut
chart to give you a visual reference to the output. The test cut is a 3" x 4" coupon that
consists of nine lines. Each line is programmed to run at different speeds to illustrate the
effects that speed has on cut quality.
With the FEED RATE OVERRIDE % at 100, the first line cuts at 170 ipm and drops 10 ipm
each line until the last line set at 80 ipm, and the outside perimeter is 100 ipm. If the
FEED RATE OVERRIDE % set to 50, the lines would range from 85 to 40 with the outside
at 50. In the cut chart, verify the amperage and thickness of the material. Change the
PROGRAM FEEDRATE OVERRIDE % if you need the feed rates higher or lower according
to the thickness of the material and amperage you are running.
• Load the LINE SPEED TEST.gm file
• Enter in the AVHC settings according to the cut chart.
• Jog the head to the bottom left corner. SET PLATE ORIGIN.
• Run the LINE SPEED TEST.
Once the test is complete there are a few things to look for. On the top of the cut you
want to see a clean cut without a lot of bevel. Ideally, it has the same kerf width both on
top, all the way through to the bottom.
On the backside you will observe the width of the cut and the dross accumulation. The
key is the 3-4 lines that have least amount of dross. The dross should be easy to remove
by picking at it. Usually the optimum speed is the high end of the three lines that are
relatively clean. Straight lines will cut relatively clean but the "inside features" of your
cuts will be at a lower speed because of the nature of movement and mechanics of the
machine. With those three you know that the inside features will be just as clean as the
straight line.
So in this example the 110 - 90 ipm will be the best speed for this material thickness and
amperage setting. Now this process will be used for every thickness of material you plan
on cutting to establish the proper speed. Once established, these coupons can be used as
a visual cut chart or you can use the provided sheet to document your settings.
Page 27