Newbie- Hypertherm 3070 Auto Gas Console

[supersteel]

Just purchesed a used HD 3070 and after reading the manual for the auto gas console I was wondering if I need to meter the flow after the regulator from the gas cylinders?

[xjdubber]

Originally Posted by supersteel Just purchesed a used HD 3070 and after reading the manual for the auto gas console I was wondering if I need to meter the flow after the regulator from the gas cylinders?

all you need to do is make sure you have it set to the correct pressure (about 115 psi as i remember) and that the regulator can support the cfm the console calls for.

[supersteel]

Thanks for the info I kinda thought the same way too. Just started to cut 3/8 stainless with the F-5 gas(95%nitrogen 5% hydrogen.Getting better results with it than the H-35 mix (less dross). The only drawback is a little more slant to the cut than before (cutting 20" cirlces). Does anybody publish a flow-cut chart for this gas and my machine HD 3070?Does plasma gas flow change the lenght of the flame?

[xjdubber]

Originally Posted by supersteel Thanks for the info I kinda thought the same way too. Just started to cut 3/8 stainless with the F-5 gas(95%nitrogen 5% hydrogen.Getting better results with it than the H-35 mix (less dross). The only drawback is a little more slant to the cut than before (cutting 20" cirlces). Does anybody publish a flow-cut chart for this gas and my machine HD 3070?Does plasma gas flow change the lenght of the flame?

Plasma is not actually a flame, as i was explained its the 4th state of matter blah blah blah......(im not a scientific person) anyways whats important is that your heating up whatever the plasma gasses (air, nitrogen, h35 etc) to become plasma, the gasses are made to swirl to get a better cut. Because the gases swirl its almost like a end mill cutter, and you have to make sure your cutting in the right direction. On the HPR series of plasma's I always experienced better cuts with H35 then F5. but that was on thinner material.

[plasmabeard]

Originally Posted by supersteel Just purchesed a used HD 3070 and after reading the manual for the auto gas console I was wondering if I need to meter the flow after the regulator from the gas cylinders?

It shouldn't be necessary unless you are actively trying to troubleshoot a specific problem. One thing that can happen with that unit is that a change in inlet pressure to the gas console can result in a change in flow. It won't automatically adjust in real time. Just keep an eye on the inlet pressure to make sure it doesn't vary wildly.

Also, since you mentioned that it is a used unit it's possible that the motor valves (motorized needle valves that set the flow) are worn and/or out of calibration. In that case all bets are off. It's unfortunate that the manual doesn't list actual flow rates (only percentage of total flow) to assist in troubleshooting.

In other words, you may want to vary the settings a bit from what the manual states to achieve the correct flow (try +/- 5% adjustments and see if cut quality improves).