I spent some time this weekend cutting some small diameter washers. 1.25" with an .375 bolt hole. Circles are always the challenge for plasma cutters, but can you tell me if our Crossfires have cut off time function or a ramp down function for crossing the kerf lead in? I must have cut 20 washers playing with the settings trying to get that kerf crossing dialed in. I am using a Hypertherm powermax 1000, and I’ve already ordered the fine cut consumables to try those and see if it dials in better. I tried washers on 14 gauge as well as 10 gauge. Thanks in advance.
Do you have pics of how they are coming out?
I used the best ones on my project but these show pretty clear some of the issues I was having with crossing the kerf zone, sometimes it would leave a .25 uncut but scarified section. I could see the plasma track but it was either shutting down or had lost continuity, which is why I was curious if that functionality exists in the machine
Ahhh those look pretty decent but I definitely see what your saying needs to be adjusted
We have a Powermax 1000 here in the shop, I’ll cut a few of these out and see how they compare. I’ll share my lead in/lead out, and feed rate with you. I’ll test on 14 gauge.
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Very nice! I will attempt to replicate that. Daniel do you feel like we should always use radius lead ins vs. 90 degree?
There’s different schools of thought regarding lead in geometry. I always use arc lead-ins with as large of a radius as possible. This is to ensure that the machine has sufficient ‘runway’ to accelerate the torch to as close to the program speed as possible once it enters the cut.
When you use a perpendicular lead in, the torch velocity momentarily drops to zero at the intersection between the lead in and the part geometry. Then after it enters the cut it has to start accelerating up to the program speed. So while some people use it, I don’t really know why.
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Thanks for the tips today Daniel! I was able to get my Powermax 1000 dialed in to do these 4 parts from 1/2 plate. I’m super happy with the repeat-ability! No arc burn. These are attachment hooks for a quick attach on a hay spear I am building. Thanks again.
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Very nice! The Pmax 1000 is an amazing machine.
Please post pics of the attachment when you have it done 
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Wouldn’t be willing to share that file would you? Looks like a project I could use to make some pallet forks for mine!
No problem, I just have to figure out how to do that. Can that be done here or only one fireshare, I haven’t ever logged in to fireshare?
You can add files to reply using the upload icon in the reply message. Or you can go to Fileshare and create a post and add it there. Your login name/password is the same for both this forum and Fileshare.