Expanded Metal

[millermatic]

I watching a video of expanded metal being cut with a plasma, and the pilot arc never went out in between each hole. My question is my pp50 starts and stops after each cut, I mean the arc completely cuts off then restarts when I get to metal again, instead of just staying ignited. Sometimes it won't restart and I'll have to let off the trigger and press again. This also happens when I'm cutting just regular steel plate. Is there anything I'm doing incorrectly like air pressure or consumables. Psi is 65 and consumables are relatively unused.

[geezer]

Change your tips,,,sounds like one is pitted,, also check the swirl ring is in right,,,the pilot arc should maintain as long as the trigger is depressed..watch the height of the tip,,too low will also snuff the pilot arc..

[EmptyNester]

Change your tips,,,sounds like one is pitted,, also check the swirl ring is in right,,,the pilot arc should maintain as long as the trigger is depressed..watch the height of the tip,,too low will also snuff the pilot arc..

I've seen this same behavior on my CNC and assumed that the pilot arc cut out when the arc transferred to the ground through the metal and then restarted when the arc was lost. I thought I had seen that some people cut expanded metal w/o a ground clamp for that reason.

Is that incorrect?

[geezer]

I've seen this same behavior on my CNC and assumed that the pilot arc cut out when the arc transferred to the ground through the metal and then restarted when the arc was lost. I thought I had seen that some people cut expanded metal w/o a ground clamp for that reason.

Is that incorrect?

Cutting with out a gound clamp is possible using the pilot arc,,,but only on thin stuff... for short periods..just one of those strange things that happen,,,having a ground clamp makes the full power possible..the pilot arc maintains the ability to restart cutting without touching the material to complete the circuitry..and...fire up full power....That's why it's called pilot arc...the power or heat coming out of the pilot arc can cut flimsy materials..

[redbeard]

Cutting with out a gound clamp is possible using the pilot arc,,,but only on thin stuff... for short periods..just one of those strange things that happen,,,having a ground clamp makes the full power possible..the pilot arc maintains the ability to restart cutting without touching the material to complete the circuitry..and...fire up full power....That's why it's called pilot arc...the power or heat coming out of the pilot arc can cut flimsy materials..

IIRC, Mark is pretty adamant that we don't deliberately use the pilot arc for cutting. Besides, even .020 aluminum comes out REALLY ragged when you do, DAMHIK.

[everlastsupport]

IIRC, Mark is pretty adamant that we don't deliberately use the pilot arc for cutting. Besides, even .020 aluminum comes out REALLY ragged when you do, DAMHIK.

We provide extra fuses for the pilot arc, but it is not intended to cut with. One the other hand, I must admit I do it from time to time for very short little things. I have never blown the fuse doing that.

[Gerry]

Change your tips,,,sounds like one is pitted,, also check the swirl ring is in right,,,the pilot arc should maintain as long as the trigger is depressed..watch the height of the tip,,too low will also snuff the pilot arc..

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Not sure there is a top and bottom difference on the swirl ring in the S45 torch, some of the other model torches there is.

[geezer]

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Not sure there is a top and bottom difference on the swirl ring in the S45 torch, some of the other model torches there is.

probably not a difference on the hole orientation,,,however on some rings there maybe an up side to point the holes in the right direction...depends if you are above or below the equator...toliets in N. America rotate one direction when flushed and ones in Austrailia rotate the other direction,,,that's how you know when your ship has crossed the equator,,,check on the toilet bowl when you flush..

[everlastsupport]

On the S45 it is unidirectional. On the 81, it is directional and if you look at it, it will come obvious.

[Gerry]

On the S45 it is unidirectional. On the 81, it is directional and if you look at it, it will come obvious.

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Mike you answered the question about the swirl ring, any suggestions or answers for Millermatic's original question.