How to Use a Plasma Cutting Machine - A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide

Are you looking for a CNC plasma cutting machine for your industry? If you have never owned a plasma cutter before, the whole process of buying a machine and using it for the first time can be difficult. In this article, we'll help point out how to use a CNC plasma cutter as well as some considerations to make sure that once you get a CNC plasma cutter you'll be able to use it properly.

1. What is a CNC plasma cutting machine?

2. Guidelines for working with a CNC plasma cutting machine.

3. How to use a CNC plasma cutting machine?

4. Precautions for using CNC plasma cutting machine.

1.What is CNC plasma cutting machine?

CNC plasma table is the use of high-temperature plasma arc to generate heat to make the metal part of the workpiece being processed at the cutting part of all or part of the melting, and the use of high-speed plasma momentum to remove the molten metal for cutting equipment . It is characterized by easy operation and high cutting precision. CNC plasma table can be perfectly applied to the cutting of non-ferrous metals, and the cutting surface is smooth, small deformation, so it is widely used in automobiles, locomotives, chemical machinery, nuclear industry, general machinery cutting project, engineering machinery, steel structure and other industries above. CNC plasma cutting machine enables you to quickly cut metal work, greatly improving productivity and cutting effect is excellent.

2.Working standard of CNC plasma cutting machine

The working principle of CNC plasma cutting machine is to heat the gas to a very high temperature and highly ionized to form plasma, and then transfer these plasma to the workpiece. The high heat quickly melts the workpiece and cuts it. In recent years, with the deepening of mechanization, the manufacturing process of CNC plasma table has been improved. Modern plasma beds are generally controlled by CNC systems with high CNC configurations, which can realize automatic arc starting, and the arc starting success rate reaches more than 99%. And the system supports a variety of design software, you can also use the U disk to exchange processing files, the operation is very convenient. In addition, the frame of the CNC plasma table generally adopts a fully welded structure. This structure is more durable, so that its cutting speed, high precision, small cutting mouth, no slag, effectively avoid secondary processing.

3. How to use CNC plasma cutting machine?

(1) Before energizing the CNC plasma cutting machine, you need to check whether all the switches on the equipment are in the off position and whether the rotary switch on the back of the equipment is in the horizontal position.

(2) Turn on the power of the main switchgear before starting so that the two cables are energized.

(3) Move the circuit breaker in the electrical cabinet of the CNC plasma cutter to the ON position.

(4) Use the key switch to turn on the system control power and the main interface should appear on the display.

(5) Rotate the rotary switch at the rear of the plasma power supply to the vertical 90° position, and the equipment power indicator will be on.

(6) Turn on the air compressor (compressor flow rate of 1m3/min), adjust the air compressor pressure control switch so that the compressor output pressure is 6.1-8.2Bar.

4. Precautions for using CNC plasma cutting machine

(1) Cutting should start from the edge; cut from the edge as much as possible, do not cut through the hole. Using the edge as a starting point will extend the life of the consumables. The correct method is to aim the nozzle directly at the edge of the workpiece and then start the plasma arc.

(2) Reduce unnecessary "arc start (or lead)" time; the nozzle and electrode are consumed very quickly during arc start. The torch should be placed within walking distance of the cut metal before starting.

(3) Do not overload the nozzle; overloading the nozzle (i.e., exceeding the nozzle's operating current) can quickly damage the nozzle. The current intensity should be 95% of the nozzle's operating current. For example: 100A nozzle current strength should be set to 95A.

(4) using a reasonable cutting distance; according to the requirements of the instruction manual, using a reasonable cutting distance. Cutting distance is the distance between the cutting nozzle and the surface of the workpiece. When perforating, try to use twice the normal cutting distance or use the maximum height through which the plasma arc passes.

(5) The thickness of perforations should be within the range permitted by the machine system. The cutter is unable to perforate steel plates that exceed the working thickness. The usual perforation thickness is 1/2 the normal cutting thickness.

(6) Keep the CNC plasma cutting machine torch and wearing parts as clean as possible: Any dirt on the torch and wearing parts will greatly affect the function of the plasma system. When replacing wearing parts, place them on a clean flannel, check the torch's connecting rib frequently, and clean the electrode contact surfaces and nozzles with a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner.

(7) Minimize perforation and cutting. Perforation is steel back splash that can damage the nozzle. It is one of the most important causes of nozzle damage. Start cutting from pre-drilled holes.

(8) Try to cut within the normal cutting thickness of the cutter and try not to cut under the limit cutting thickness. The normal cutting thickness of domestic cutting machine is generally 60% of the maximum cutting thickness labeled by the manufacturer, try to cut within this thickness range, which can best protect the cutting nozzle.

(9) The distance between the cutting nozzle and the steel plate should be kept as constant as possible, generally around 3-8mm, if too far away, not only the power consumption is too large, the cutting penetration ability will be reduced, and the relative consumption of the electrode, reducing the service life of the electrode; The closer the nozzle is the simpler it is, and the higher the cost. The service life of the nozzle will increase exponentially or even burn out.

Shandong U-May CNC Technology Co., Ltd. is a router manufacturer with unique creativity and leading technology, which can provide you with high-quality CNC plasma cutting machines. In order to take full advantage of the advantages of CNC machining, product designers and engineers must be familiar with the machining process and precautions. Cooperating with a professional CNC machine tool manufacturer like UTECH enables faster and more efficient design and production. Submit your design to us now and our expert team will make the most suitable machine for you.