Just curious how many minutes everyone is getting on their consumables. I’m currently running a razor weld 45 on a crossfire XR. And I am averaging about 30 minutes per electrode with 300 to 400 pierces. The electrodes don’t look worn but they stop cutting after that time up until that time the cuts are perfect and everything looks good. Is this a typical runtime or is there something wrong?
Time will depend on what you are cutting and your air quality equipment.
I used the rw45 for a year and got about what you are getting.
I upgraded to a hypertherm and get much better. I spent a significant about of time and money on my equipment. I can cut 1/4 plate get about 1500 pierces and close to 3 hours cut time. I Use the copper plus electrode. when I notice my cuts start to change I will go ahead and change the nozzle.
I never try to hit a certain mark all the time. Things can happen during a cut cycle that can cause issues with the consumables .
3 Likes
I pay less attention to time and more to pierces.
Pierces are the equivalent of cold starts, that’s when most damage occurs.
I run an average of 1,100 per set.
1 Like
THC Fails where the torch raises up until flame out will trash a set of consumables in short order. Well anytime the torch is firing with no metal to cut will do it.
1 Like
Yea, even stranger… i used one of those “old” electrodes and tip to cut 1/4” ar500 as a test… no issue at all. Cut perfect for about 20 more minutes. Then i put a piece of 12g mild CR steel on… back to cut failure. Tip still didn’t look “worn”… swapped electrode and tip to a new one, same file, same sheet of 12g, cut perfectly…
Ar500 1/4” cut settings:
41 ipm
45 amp
.05 pierce delay
70psi dry air
THC (i set the height in fusion 360 yo .052, but with THC thats not needed right?)
12g mild ateel setting:
56-39 iim (several tries in that range, standard is 51ipm)
40amp-45amp (usually leave it at 40, but tested with 45 and didnt see a difference.
.3 s pierce delay
70 psi dry air
THC - same as above
Is there a setting i need to change in the THC in fire control?
System has air filter cleaner/dryer out of 80gal 2 stage compressor, and inline filter/dryer at connection to razerweld.
When THC is a suspect, simply turn it off and see if the problem persists. Toggle in FireControl.
Too high a cut height will trash consumables, as well as not cut cleanly if at all.
Work clamp connections (at the plasma and the clamp) are good. Firm tug to see if the cable is connected well.
Air pressure…TURN UP TO 75-80! Yes the book and specs call for 70 AT THE PLASMA CUTTER. Bump the pressure up.