So I tried out Nominal Voltage vs. SMART Voltage on the 1/4" plate and 45XP.
Everything went well, but I do not think the cut is much different for this particular test. That being said I will continue experimenting.
The most interesting thing I am seeing is NEGATIVE bevel on one side, and positive bevel everywhere else.
I expect I’ll need to rotate the torch, etc. and see what follows what.
But maybe someone has a shortcut idea of top of their head ?
I say interesting because based on cut height / voltage I’d expect one or the other and not both? (negative and positive)
The measurements are not bad. after getting kerf dialed in, the measurements are reasonably close (for what I do), I am just curious about the both pos/neg bevel part of it.
check to see that your material is square with the torch. not the torch with the slates or the table that is a good idea, but the torch also needs to be square to whatever you cut. i use shims or whatever i need to make sure my plate is level. i also keep my z axis level with a level not square with the slates. that may or may not help you.
When you have different bevels like that it usually means either your torch is angled or your material isn’t level. Considering your cut orientation and the bevel profile it seems like the tip of your torch is further from the mount than the top of your torch or the bottom of your material (referenced to your firecontrol pic) was lower than the top
With that orientation, I’d say the Z axis is not square to the table. The bearings that roll on the X gantry are adjustable to take care of the front/back tilt.
I wish langmuir would provide an option for a more robust z-axis for the heavier torches.
I’m using the long hypertherm 180 torch for my PowerMax 85 and the cable is even more stiff and heavy duty than the 45 XP. It flexing the z-axis around is one of the issues I fought over the years.
I was looking at trying to figure out a way to “dangle” more of the cable vertically above, even if higher up than the provided arm, to reduce how much it affects it. Maybe if there is more of it vertically/less angle would reduce side/angle pressure?
I’m getting to the point where I’m going to do a little bit of a rebuild rework on my pro table and I’m going to put in 6-in tall stanchion risers so I can mount the majority of the weight of the torch below the z axis.
You’ll see on larger heavy duty Gantry style CNC machines that’s how all those long torches mount so the vast majority of the weight of the torch sits below the mount.
As far as the cable I have it up with a swivel but I’m also going to add one of those zero gravity tool holders to the top ark of the cable.
Something like this with the right weight capacity.
“I wish Langmuir would provide an option for a more robust z-axis for the heavier torches”
I imagine they spent that effort on the XR ?
We are probably moving into the realm of above-and-beyond running stuff like this on the poor little Pro
While moving stuff around I thought I’d play with a prototype way to hang the stiffer 45Xp cable…
it is just trying stuff out and not permanent, but this spring hanger and the hanging coil seem to be a good combo.It was free parts so far.
Temporarily I attached the cable to the wall, I think Ill do this with velcro cable mngmnt, but I like how it is out of the way.
I’ll have to run it and adjust the hang point for least tension and twist, etc.
A friend was over and suggested trying a pulley as the hanger, letting the coil slip through, auto adjust, etc. maybe I’ll try that?
