02-14-2010, 07:06 AM
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| | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA
Posts: 1,586
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The orings on the Powermax torch seal the air flow between the torch body and the retaining cap......if the orings have a cut or are missing.....air will bypass in this area, leaving inadequate air flow to the plasma and shield gas passages....low gas flow causes dross, slower cutting speeds, misfiring, and torch overheating.
It is hard to say when to change these orings.....except to say change them when they are damaged! It is a good idea to use a very small amount of silicone based oring lubricant.....just enough to make the oring shiny.
Thee swirl rings last a long time in Hypertherm torches. The swirl ring has three main functions: 1. It is an electrical insulator between the negative electrode and the positive nozzle.....it also is a thermal insulator. 2. It directs the plasma gas flow in an accurately controlled swirl pattern....the swirl helps to control edge angularity on the cut face, and slings cooler gas molecules (heavier) to the outside of the nozzle bore....helping to protect the nozzle from the plasma arc. 3. The swirl ring is a linear bearing (in Powermax torches) that allows the electrode to slide freely.....this allows easy starting of the torch.
Over time the swirl ring can be damaged by heat transferred back from the nozzle....if the nozzle end of the swirl ring is severely blackened (carbon) it loses some of its electrical insulating properties and can cause poor cut quality/misfiring. If there are cracks...the swirl ringshould be replaced. If the electrode does not slide freely within the swirl ring...it should be replaced.
Jim Colt  |
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