not cutting consistently

[wisemen-trading]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and new to working with plasma cnc.
We recently bought a used torchmate 3 with the automatic height adjustment, a new cutmaster 52 plasma cutter with the machine torch. I'm having some problems. I think I have set everything up right. I have been testing on the straight lines as recommended. The problem I am having is that the torch fires but does not always stay lit. If it does start to cut, it only cuts a few inches and then loses the arc, goes a few more inches, and when the torch fires again it may start the cut again or not. I have tried different cutting speeds and heights. The materials I have tried are .020 zincalum, steel, and aluminum. It seems to cut best at a pierce height under .05 and initial cut under .05. Cutmaster 52 set at 30amps 70psi seems to work best, but I would say it still only cuts 50% of the time.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I live near Athens, Alabama. Does anyone live close.

Thanks,

Zach

[Weldtutor]

Hi Zach, welcome to CNC Zone

The problem with arc outage could be that the work clamp is not making good electrical contact with the work piece being cut.
It is usually best to attach directly to the work piece, in a clean area.

Check also for correct & clean assembly of the consumables in the torch nozzle & electrode.

The manufacturers recommended air pressure should be adjusted as well.

[jimcolt]

That is pretty thin material.....maybe you are not cutting at a fast enough speed. On .020" material at 30 Amps.....you should probably be cutting at 350 to 500 inches per minute.......if you are cutting too slow the arc will burn the metal faster than it can find new metal...and will loose the arc....especially in corners.

Jim colt

[DISCONNECTED]

I run a thermal dynamics cutmaster 101.The problem you are describing sounds like the filter(for the air) is partially plugged.I know on my 101 it has a built in regulator and air filter on the back of the unit.It has a stone style filter.Remember to you can have air pressure,but you also need the volume too.Also make sure your consumbles are good.

[wisemen-trading]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I have the air filter that I bought with the plasma cutter it looks fine and is basically brand new. I have tried to keep clean consumables (changed for new several times) and it doesn't seem to help.

Jim

I have triad a wide range of cutting speeds and can't tell anything different.
It's a good idea, I think I will try some thicker metal.

Weldtutor

I am cutting new metal, and clamping directly to it so it is good and clean. but I agree it does kind of sound like that could be a symptom.

Thanks again
Zach

[reed]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I have the air filter that I bought with the plasma cutter it looks fine and is basically brand new. I have tried to keep clean consumables (changed for new several times) and it doesn't seem to help.

Jim

I have triad a wide range of cutting speeds and can't tell anything different.
It's a good idea, I think I will try some thicker metal.

Weldtutor

I am cutting new metal, and clamping directly to it so it is good and clean. but I agree it does kind of sound like that could be a symptom.

Thanks again
Zach

I from china and have been operating torchmate cutter for three years.
my opinion as follow:

1 check your hardwire connection.drive box,signal generator,height control box,fire box and plasma cutter.

2 check carefully your clam wire,if connect well with cutted metal.you can change the different postion to test.

3 make sure your consumables are not wear out.

4 air is clean and dry,not include water and oil with air.the air of press should be enough to ensure ignition.

5 cut speed is not too slow or fast.refer to cut speed chart.

6 pierce height is not too low or high,the cut height should be 3-5mm.please attention to the pierce height and cut height are different means.

If you have another problems,please let me to know,my e-mail is rpnhc163@163.com

Good Luck for you!

reed

[CNCTECHNICIAN1]

Just out of curiosity what is the size of your supply line for your air. The little amount that it does cut does it cut smooth or real jagged this would be an indication of plasma speed. Other wise has to be gas if you are running to small of line to the supply than it can cut well sometimes and just run out of volume. It can maintain the pressure but does not have the volume. I have run into this several times on bigger machines. That size power supply you shouldn't only need standard 3/8 line depending on how far you are away from the compressor. You can check the start signal if it is shorting you should be able to look at an I/O screen and see if the start signal is being striped from it when you are having the problem. I am not familiar with the control but work with some of the more production brands in the industry. The I/O screen should tell you alot. IF you can watch it real time. I/O (Input Output screen)
Good luck. Also turn off the auto height control if this is an option to make sure that it that is not the problem Note you will have to move the torch down manually to get to the right heighth

[fitzy]

try to set the cut master to the setting for expanded metal cutting and see if this helps.

[scherwin]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum.
2 months ago we bought our first CNC TM3
we also have the same problem with the Automatic height control. It is a very sensative tool. because my electricity was not stable it does the same thing that your tm does.
2 things to do:
- ground your AHC and
- check if your electricity is stable. 3 phase is the best solution.
for the time being we are cutting in MANUAL mode and clamp your material to stay flat. (because we are still waiting for the 3 phase)

[JerseyBill]

I am not familiar with Cutmaster, I use a Hypertherm 1000. But you did not mention what nozzle you were using on your torch. Using a fine cut nozzle in my torch, I can cut 24 GA galvinized set at 30 amps @150 IPM with 80 Arc volts. Excellent cut quality. When I first started learning to use the machine I had so many problems that I began to wonder why I purchased it. However, learning to properly set the pierce height etc I discovered just how good a cut this equipment can make. Initially I did not know how long a nozzle and electrode should last and I was destorying them fast with incorrect settings. As the consumables would wear out I incorrectly decided to increase the air pressure in an attempt to compensate. My theory was if a little air pressure is good then a lot of pressure must be better. There are many variables that you need to contol. I suspect that in 6 months you will be cutting without any problems. Read everything that you can about plasma cutting settings and maintenance. The equipment that you own will work. Knowledge is the key.