Powermax45 cutting 3/16" aluminum

[jimcolt]

Had to cut some 3/16" aluminum parts for a friend....honestly I had not done much aluminum with the Powermax45 on my PlasmaCam cnc.....so I imported the .dxf file, did a test cut to measure the kerf width (.038"), then plugged in specs for cut speed, pierce height, cut height and amperage rght out of the Hypertherm manual. Parts took about 45 seconds each...required a few minutes of deburring with a file (no dross, just a sharp bottom edge)...and all measurements were within about .005"....1/2" holes are very nice! Pictures below:

Jim Colt

[Edwardo]

Very Nice Jim, i did a bunch of 1/8th alum last fall with my 1250 using fine cut, i didnt take any measurements as it was all artsy stuff but the cut was perfect, no dross and a nice square edge... 40 amp 140 ipm, really happy with my Hypertherms performance...

Thanks
EDD

[WSS]

Hey Jim, are your slats pointed like other plasmacam slats? I know Edwardo cut his to points (DynaTorch) and likes them. I would be afraid to put a nice sheet of aluminum with any kind of nice finish on my slats (flat and dross encrusted).

Nice work there, inspiring!
WSS

[jimcolt]

My slats are pointed, because they come that way with the PlasmaCam machine. When I replace them they will be flat, or possibly will have just a slight wave pattern to them. On small parts the tip ups are bad with pointed slats...although not much of a problem with the PlasmaCam as it detects contact with the plate during traversing and immediately stops motion.

Jim

Originally Posted by WSS Hey Jim, are your slats pointed like other plasmacam slats? I know Edwardo cut his to points (DynaTorch) and likes them. I would be afraid to put a nice sheet of aluminum with any kind of nice finish on my slats (flat and dross encrusted). Nice work there, inspiring! WSS