This is a follow up to my previous question that has been trapped in pending status for the past 2 days.
I have a new Crossfire pro with THC and limit switches
I am using a windows 11 computer
Firecontrol v. 24.1.6
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 post v1.6
Hypertherm sync 65 with machine torch and 45a fine cut consumables.
I had it set up and seemed to be running right.
I first downloaded a ready to cut file for a simple circle from Fireshare and was able to run the program perfectly with the sharpie marker insert in the holder (ignore the smear at the edge, I moved the metal without lifting the pen)
I then thought I was ready to go. I was going to start with a simple project. I needed to cut out 1.625” circles to replace some missing foot pads on some patio chairs. I wanted the circles cut from the outside so it would leave clean disks and the ready to cut file that I downloaded was cut from the inside, so I figured this was a good opportunity to learn how to create a simple cut file. I was able to design it in Fusion. I generated the .nc file without trouble and I was able to run the simulator without issue in the fusion cam simulator. I could also load it into Firecontrol and it ran dry runs fine with no issues. When I tried to cut with the torch on it would cut a ridiculously long lead in and then the torch would cut off.
I then figured that I could just use the ready to cut circle and just weld up the damage left by the interior lead in and lead out. When I did that, it cuts a proper lead in and then cuts about 3/4 of the circle then the torch cuts of.
I hope that I just have some simple setting off that I am missing or don’t understand. I have read through hundreds of posts on this forum, and I have not found the answer. If anyone can help me sort this out it would be most appreciated. I have tried to include all the details that seem to be relevant, but if there is something more please let me know and I will post it
I just tried to offer suggestions on your earlier post, But you give more info here. That circle is small, try to disable your THC and run the Fusion file again. The THC barely gets a chance to sample before it’s already halfway around the circle. On tight geometry like that THC can hunt, dive, or lose the arc trying to correct. Let me know if this changes anything. The Langmuir Forum users and Employees are some of the Best. You will see
Is your work clamp attached to the metal being cut?
Try upping your pierce delay to .7
Can you post all the settings you are using?
Amps?
Cut height .063 (from your screen shot)
Pierce Height 0.15 (from your screen shot)
cut speed 46 (from your screen shot)
Air pressure?
What is your air setup?
That long lead in is interesting. Can you post the F3D file you created with the long lead in? No need to cut the file with the inside lead when you want it outside. Lets get you the file you want.
Click on File, Export, Autodesk… f3d, and attach here.
If you’re using Fusion, that long lead in is probably the “pierce clearance” setting. Whatever value you have in that field is added to the length of your lead in. Just set it to zero.
The work clamp is attached to the slats in the plasma table. I can try it on the working metal, but it did work the way I have it set up now for the first cuts I made without any problems.
I am happy to post all of my settings, not sure which ones I have not already posted though, if you could let me now I will put them up.
I am trying to cut at 45a. the machine is a Hypertherm sync 65 with 45a fine cut consumbles set at 45a
I have played with the cut height, within a pretty tight margin though (.05 to .07). I can broaden that out if necessary
Pierce height 0.15
Air pressure 100psi
Air setup —> 60 gal 5hp compressor –> regulator/coalescing filter–> all stainless 3/4” plumbing –> double drop condensation piping with drains –> 2nd regulator/coalescing filter –> 50ft rubber airline –>20 gallon reserve tank–> 3rd regulator/coalescing filter –> double small volume desicant filters. It seems like a lot when I write it out, but: a. I live on the south carolina coast and drain between a pint and a quart of water every day from the system and b. it was originally set up for painting so I needed to really get air as dry as I could and I can’t yet affort a refrigerant cooler.
I am on my phone right now, but when I get home I will export my file and post it here.
I have not tried that yet, but I did see another post suggesting that can be a problem, I will give it a shot.
As far as the forum and Langmuir, everything seems great so far, but there is a big learning curve here that I am really anxious to get over.
I was just a little frustrated this weekend because I had 5 days off work and I wanted to use it to work the bugs out and learn some of the things that I need to learn to make the most of this thing and I lost the time getting hung up on this problem right at the beginning. I know that in a few months this little delay will be completely forgotten.
For sure and you have some of the best people here to help. I say that from a place of experience. Guys like @BigDaddy2166 and some of the others are priceless resources. Stick around We will get you figured out.
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. My week got away from me and I wasn’t able to spend time sorting through this until this morning. The good news is that I was able to use the suggestions to solve the problem. Relatively easily too.
I made the following changes:
Moved the work clamp to the slat directly next to the metal I was cutting. I was not able to attach it to the metal directly because that caused me to have to turn the clamp 90 degrees and that did not allow clearance for the x-axis to pass over.
decreased cut speed from 3230mm/min to 2387mm/min. (I’m working in inches, but the program is stuck in mm for cut speed)
set pierce height to 0.150” and cut height to 0.06’“
air pressure 100psi
torch at 45a
increased the lead in/out from 0.145” to 0.16”
I am not sure which change made the most difference, I suspect the cut speed, because that was the last change I made, but I think all contributed to success
Once again, thanks to everyone who offered guidance, I am excited to have finally been able to cut a design that I created from cad→cut. Even it was just a circle. now on to the next project. keep learning.
Get yourself one of these. Even the inexpensive ones work well. I prefer the low-profile versions myself. This is a good example, but just one option. This way, you can clamp the work clamp sideways and keep it out of the way of the dreaded carriage gussets.
With so little metal left after the cut on the long edge, you are running the risk of not having enough metal to carry your current. That, at a minimum might bollocks up your THC function.
I know this is a test cut, but you should test with real world conditions.
Generally, connecting to the slats is a BAD idea, especially after they get chewed up. DAMHIKT!
I’m confused. Just so I understand are you saying that the correct cut height for 10ga mild steel should be .12? I got the pierce height of .15 and the cut height of 0.06 from the tables in the hypertherm manual. I am new to this so I guess I have a lot of learning to do.
