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OPERATION
Amperage
Standard rule of thumb is the thicker the material the more amperage required.
On thick material, set the machine to full output and vary your travel speed.
On thinner material, you need to turn down the amperage and change to a
lower-amperage tip to maintain a narrow kerf. The kerf is the width of the cut
material that is removed during cutting.
Speed
Amperage and speed are critical to producing a good quality cut. The faster you
move (especially on aluminium), the cleaner your cut will be. To determine if
you're going too fast or too slow, visually follow the arc that is coming from the
bottom of the cut. The arc should exit the material at a slight angle away from
the direction of travel. If it's going straight down. that means you're going too
slow. and you'll have an unnecessary buildup of dross or slag. If you go too fast, it
will start spraying back onto the surface of the material without cutting all the
way through. Because the arc trails at an angle, at the end of a cut, slow your
cutting speed and angle the torch in to cut through the last bit of metal.
Direction
It is easier to pull the torch towards you than push it. The plasma stream swirls
as it exits the tip, biting one side and finishing off on the other leaving a bevelled
edge and a straight edge. The bevel cut effect is more noticeable on thicker
material and needs to taken into consideration before starting your cut as you
want the straight side of the eut to be on the finished piece you keep.
Torch tip height & position
The distance and postion of the plasma torch cutting tip has an affect on the
quality of the cut and the extent of the bevel of the cut. The easiest way to reduce
bevel is by cutting at the proper speed and height for the material and amperage
that is being cut.
Correct torch height and
Square to the material
Minimum bevel & equal
bevel Longest
consumable life
14
Torch Angled to the
material unequal bevel,
one side may be
excessively beveled.
PLASMA CUTTER
OPERATION MANUAL
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