Hypertherm.com recently posted a very useful blog on reasons why your consumables might be wearing sooner than they should be. We have summarized the blog below, but feel free to read the full article at https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/learn/spark-the-blog/consumable-wear/.
As a result of numerous engineering advances, today’s plasma consumables are capable of lasting longer than ever before. Unfortunately, as a result of not being properly informed on plasma consumable use and maintenance, many companies are not enjoying the cost savings that longer plasma consumable life can bring. Listed below are six reasons that your plasma consumables may be wearing out sooner than expected.
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You are changing your consumables at the wrong time
Many businesses change consumables after a set number of piercing or during a shift change. The fact is consumable wear is application specific. Generally, standard all-copper electrodes should be replaced when the hafnium pit depth reaches 0.040 of an inch. Silver / hafnium interface electrodes can safely reach a pit depth of 0.080 of an inch.
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Your torch is too far (or too close) to the workpiece
Proper pierce height is critical to consumable life. Proper pierce height is 1.5 to 2 times the correct torch-to-work distance.
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Your arch stops at the wrong time
It is imperative to make sure that your torch remains over the plate when the cut ends. If the arc terminates abruptly because it runs off the plate, an excessive amount of hafnium can be ejected, translating into a loss of 10 to 15 arc starts.
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Your gas supply is too low
Low flow rates can lead to catastrophic, almost immediate, nozzle destruction by causing the pilot arc to attach to the inside of the nozzle orifice.
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There isn’t enough coolant flowing to the torch
Flow restrictions reduce consumable cooling, which results in excessive heat buildup in the consumables and more rapid erosion.
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You don’t have a good cable connection
A good electrical connection is essential. A poor connection can delay an arc transfer (which occurs within 100 milliseconds on a good connection) to ½ second more, causing excessive consumable wear and misfiring.
We hope this list will help you increase your plasma consumable life. If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to email as at [email protected], and make sure to visit http://cncplasmastore.ca/ for all your plasma consumable needs.
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