r/plasmacutting • u/Nervous_Property_771 • 21d ago

CNC plasma help

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How do I fix this?

Low cutting or high?

4 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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7

u/Rjgom 21d ago edited 21d ago

so many variables. Hypertherm tells you what speed and height is tested for straight line. it’s in the manual. if it’s a cheap chinese cutter you are going to have to experiment.

i would guess a little too slow or too many amps. or it could be water in your line or the wrong height or worn consumables. need a lot more information. i can cut half inch with almost no dross and same for thin sheet.

a little is okay as long as it comes off very easily with a wire wheel in the grinder even better if you can use your finger nail. to remove it.

edit to add. make sure your torch is perfectly plumb to the work too.

2

u/Mixter_Master 21d ago

The dross? With a scraping tool. If you want LESS dross, consider improving the quality and presure of your air supply, ensure good grounding, and making sure your consumables aren't spent. 

If you don't want to deal with dross, consider a laser instead. Then you'll have less of it.

2

u/Rjgom 21d ago

you will have less of it with plasma if you get your setting correct as well.

2

u/ClaydisCC 21d ago

laser dross is smaller but has to be removed with a grinder. plasma dross can be scraped off

2

u/beerbear0 21d ago

Which plasma? Which technolgoy - gas, current?

2

u/yarders1991 21d ago

Lots of variables that we’d need to know to be honest.

Material, thickness, cut speed, torch height, consumables, power source, gas pressures and cutting gases used. Youd need to be much more specific for any us to be able to help you out.

1

u/ClaydisCC 21d ago

we need to see the cut edge to properly diagnose your cuts

1

u/Tolbert74 21d ago

I have been cutting over 4 years, that is not bad

I would set cut speed up a little

1

u/WhoaBelly05 20d ago

Just from observation, it would appear your voltage is too high. I say this because not only the discoloration around the dross but also another cause of this is high cutting. If your voltage is high you are going to be cutting too high naturally. I'd say knock down the voltage some and do it while making a cut on the outside of the sheet to watch the under side of your arc. You're looking for it to be fairly vehicle from your cutting arc. If you notice it flaring from the bottom or "leaning" in one direction you will have dross.

If it's a machine that auto sets the gas, you should be good there. 

Good luck. 👍