I am trying to cut a 3/8" piece of steel. As the program starts, the metal is not pierced through until about 1/2" into the cut cycle. Is there a way to start the torch, wait 3-5 seconds, then start the program? I tried the pierce delay, but I don’t think that is the right command. I am using SheetCam for the post processing.
Thanks.
it would be pierce delay. that’s the time from when the torch starts to when it starts moving. if its not cuttinh thru then its probably too short.
what do you have it set to now in sheetcam?
I believe right now it is set at 5 seconds. I am away from the machine until this evening. I will try increasing that time and see what happens.
that’s way too long… normally for 12 to 14 and below, PD is around .8 seconds or lower. 3/8 i would imagine to be no more than 2 seconds tops.
i might be wrong on the PD for 3/8. i was thinking 3/16. i still think 5 secs is too long though.
It is possible that your pierce and cut height are too high.
Check your cut height with this g-code file, let it cycle the IHS of the torch and then it stops at a cut height of 0.06 + 0.02 so it should land about 0.08 when measured with feeler gauge.
cut height test.tap (224 Bytes)
Copy the first 20 or 30 lines of your gcode file that you are trying to cut the metal with and paste in your reply here.
I agree with NicaDd, 5 seconds is way too long. Perhaps your plasma cutter is not putting out adequate amperage or the work lead is compromised (check the integrity of the lead at the clamp and the machine).
Welcome to the forum.
Are thinking a .5 PD a 5 second PD the torch would pierce then shut off.
If its not piercing then your torch is to high, not enough amps or low air pressure.
Thanks for all the help. The cutter is a Hypertherm 30, so I think this is maxing it out. It does take a while for it to pierce and I was able to get it cutting nicely, after I was able to pierce the 3/8" steel. I did have it set a little long, but still needed about 5 seconds to pierce it.
You should be at the max of that machine. Here is the cutting chart for the Hypertherm 30XP
Three clarifying questions:
Something else is wrong. 30 amp machine is not ideal for anything over 1/4 inch. But, surely, it is capable of cutting it at maybe 15 ~20 ipm. Having a Hypertherm, this task should not be a problem at all.
Please send pictures of your torch setup. Also send us pictures of the consumables from the torch.
More information from Hypertherm website:
If you are using FineCut, I suspect that your nozzle is shot, if the height is correct, air pressure is good and you are not using the drag shield.
Of course at this point, it is all guesses. We need more information.
That is for cutting not piercing. If its the newer powermax30xp it has more cutting power then the older powermax30. But it still should pierce 3/8". It will be hard on consumables from all the blow back. I would recommend 3/16" maybe 1/4" max pierce for a 30 amp plasma cutter.
