If I keep the table full enough to keep the material cool, it results in enough “bubble up/blow back” at the end of a cut to wet the tip and cause it to not fire for the next cut. This means a ton of wasted time rewinding the program after drying the tip so it will fire again.
If I lower the liquid volume to keep the tip from getting wet and not firing, the material gets too hot, doesn’t want to lay flat and tip up’s become a real issue.
This is cutting 16g, do I need to move to a 14g or thicker to be productive? I’m running 90psi of air as suggested in my Hobart 40i manual.
Try cutting the 16g at about 30 amps. 80-100 ipm and 75 psi. To much air seems to cause havoc on mine. I usually put 5 gallon of water in mine. Water lvl doesnt seem to matter that much. That usually fills just above the slat holders . Works for me anyhow. I have 2 5/8 x 4 inch peices of bar stock i lay on the edge to help hold material and usually a clamp if there is room. So try 75 psi on the air and see if that helps. A bad ground will cause the not to fire also.
Thanks Jim. The lower air pressure certainly seems to have cured the misfire. Also allowed me to add more fluid to the table. Is it possible the lower air pressure would eat consumables quicker? Specifically the tip.
I wouldnt think so if your height off the material is right. I seem to lean toward the thick shim and get along pretty good with consumable life. But having diff cutters I can only speak for myself on that. And tips to match your amps may be important also. Dry air is very important. moisture will eat the tips up fast.
I’ll second that as a critical component to tip life. Under 30A and you can use .08mm and smaller tips. Over 35 and you’ll generally want 1mm tips. And dry air is critical - otherwise consumables don’t last as long and you’ll have no end of trouble getting and keeping a nice arc.