Get The Most Out Of Your Cartridges - Hypertherm Powermax45 SYNC Operator's Manual

Additional considerations:
You can vary the depth and width of marks by varying torch speed, output current, and torch

to workpiece height.

You cannot manually adjust the gas pressure when the plasma power
supply is in marking mode.

Get the most out of your cartridges

How often it is necessary to change the cartridge on your hand torch relates to the following:
Gas supply quality

It is extremely important to keep the gas supply line clean and dry. Oil, water, vapor, and

other contamination in the gas supply can decrease cut quality and cartridge life. Refer
to Gas supply source
Cutting technique

Whenever possible, start cuts from the edge of the workpiece. This helps to extend the

life of the cartridge. Refer to
Use the correct piercing method for the thickness of the workpiece that you are cutting.

In many conditions, a rolling pierce method is an efficient way to pierce the workpiece
while you decrease the cartridge wear that naturally occurs during piercing. Refer to
Pierce a workpiece
pierce methods and when to use each.
Thickness of the workpiece being cut

In general, the thicker the workpiece being cut, the more quickly the cartridges become

worn. For best results, 80% of the workpieces that you cut should be equal to or less
than the thickness specified for this system and cartridge. Refer to
specifications
In general, do not cut material that is thicker than what is specified for this system and

cartridge.
Expanded metal cutting and pilot arc time

Expanded metal has a slotted or mesh pattern. Cutting expanded metal wears out

cartridges more quickly because it requires a continuous pilot arc. A pilot arc occurs
when the torch is fired but the plasma arc is not in contact with the workpiece.
Fire the torch only when necessary to keep pilot arc time to a minimum.

Frequent pilot arcs cause the nozzle in the cartridge to wear more quickly. You can see

the cumulative pilot arc time for a cartridge using the Hypertherm Cartridge Reader kit
(528083).
Arc stretch when cutting

To get maximum cartridge life, only stretch the arc when it is necessary. Drag the torch

on the workpiece whenever possible. Refer to
page 72.

During standard hand cutting with Powermax45 SYNC systems under lab
conditions, Hypertherm got 1 to 3 hours of actual "arc on" time.
Powermax45 SYNC Operator Manual
on page 39 and
Start a cut from the edge of the workpiece
on page 70 for an explanation of the straight pierce and rolling
on page 25.
811470
Cut and Mark with the Hand Torch
Add more gas filtration on page 41.
Guidelines for hand torch cutting
4
on page 68.
Cutting
on
73