many plasma units have a setting for post flow air…
I do know that this function cools down the electrode and torch head.
not using this feature can cause the premature failure of torch heads…overheating…and tends to warp the electrode plunger.
30 seconds of post flow is great to do…
Now I am not sure all plasma units have this adjustable…or if the torches have a preset post flow…
@mechanic416 maybe George can chirp in on this also…
Mine is not manually adjustable. The cutter adjusts based on usage. Lotos LTP5500D CNC.
Years back plasma cutters had no post flow and most had constant on pilot arc. This was very hard on electrodes, cutting tips, torch’s, etc.
Now most all plasma cutters have at least 20 seconds post flow ( some are adjustable) to help cool thing down. And they have went to a 3 second pilot arc and/or a 2t/4t mode.
I seen a guy were I worked one time melt down a plasma torch just by holding it in the air with the trigger pulled, saying look I am the Statue of Liberty.