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7.3 Travel Speed
The speed at which the torch moves will significantly influence the quality of the cut.
Correct Speed – When travelling at the correct speed the kerf out the bottom of the material should either
be perpendicular or lag behind at an angle up to 15
Too Fast – this will either not cut right through the material or the kerf will lag behind at an angle greater
o
than 15
.
Often this will create excess 'top dross' on the top of the material. Any dross on the bottom of the cut will
likely be 'High-speed dross' which is very hard and difficult to remove.
Too Slow – the kerf will lean forwards out the bottom of the plate. This will also create a lot of 'low-speed
dross' on the bottom of the cut. Low-speed dross is soft and easy to chip off.
If speed is excessively slow the arc may lose contact with the material and extinguish or drop out
temporarily.
Figure 11
Cutting Speed Guide
Material
Carbon/Mild Steel
Stainless Steel
Aluminium
Table 3
Note: The speeds given here are typical for best quality cuts. Your actual speeds may vary depending on
material composition, surface condition, operator technique, etc.
Air cutting typically produces a rough face on stainless steel and aluminium.
14
Thickness (mm)
Cutting Speed (mm/min)
2.0
5400
3.0
2200
4.0
1300
5.0
780
6.0
500
8.0
180
2.0
3600
3.0
1900
4.0
1100
5.0
600
6.0
300
8.0
100
2.0
6000
3.0
2600
4.0
1600
5.0
1000
6.0
600
8.0
200
© Weldclass 2020 | E.&O.E.
o
. The result should be a clean cut with limited dross.
.
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