Consuming Confusion

[nick54]

I have a pp50 and know that the Trafimet torch uses pilot arc consumables but am wondering if it can use contact type consumables as well? What are extended consumables and how are they different, when are they the right choice?

[nick54]

Please don't hesitate to tell me if my questions don't make sense, I only think I know what I'm talking about.

[Rambozo]

Pilot arc is just a small arc maintained at the torch, so the arc can start without arcing to the metal. It helps starts on dirty, painted or rusted metals. The starting systems are HF (high frequency), blowback, and contact. Blowback is a kind of contact start, but it happens inside the torch with a moving piston. HF can jump the gap on it's own. Check out the following video for examples. If you have the S45 torch (blowback), you can use any consumables made for that torch.

[nick54]

I think I got that I can use any consumables made for the S45 tourch - Okay, that being the case, when is it advisable to use the different types, pilot arc, contact and extended?

[performance]

I think I got that I can use any consumables made for the S45 tourch - Okay, that being the case, when is it advisable to use the different types, pilot arc, contact and extended?

Nick,
The S45 is a blowback pilot arc torch. You can have HF only, or HF with pilot arc. Contact start IS a blowback start. It doesn't mean you have contact with the metal to start the arc. That is a HF only start. The PP50 is ONLY blowback. By its nature it is always going to be a pilot arc torch, and all S45 consumables are blowback/pilot arc. Extended consumables are really drag consumables. It depends upon your preference largely as to what you want to use where.

[nick54]

So it seems to me then that drag consumables are really not suited for blowback tourches, is this correct?

Nick,
The S45 is a blowback pilot arc torch. You can have HF only, or HF with pilot arc. Contact start IS a blowback start. It doesn't mean you have contact with the metal to start the arc. That is a HF only start. The PP50 is ONLY blowback. By its nature it is always going to be a pilot arc torch, and all S45 consumables are blowback/pilot arc. Extended consumables are really drag consumables. It depends upon your preference largely as to what you want to use where.

[Rambozo]

So it seems to me then that drag consumables are really not suited for blowback tourches, is this correct?

I think you might be missing the point. You may want to read up a little on plasma cutters in general.

The options for tips that you have with that torch are all usable on the machine you have. There are some tips with small orifices that leave a narrow kerf and are to be used with thin materials and low amperage. Then there are tips with large orifices for thick materials with high amperage and they have a wider kerf. Both of those types need to be held above the metal at the correct distance, either with a standoff (wire or roller), or by hand. The extended or drag tips are designed to be dragged along the surface of the metal. Go through the Trafimet catalog for all the part numbers and such. You can tell the orifice size as it is the last part of the part number. Be sure to always use the matching electrode with each different tip.