PT-600 Mechanized Plasma Cutting Torch

SECTION 6
Troubleshooting
6.1 Reduced Consumable Life
Cutting Up Skeletons Cutting skeletons (discarded material left after all
pieces have been removed from a plate). Their
removal from the table can adversely affect
electrode life by:
• Causing the torch to run off the work.
• Continuous pilot Arc edge starts
• Greatly increasing the start frequency. This is
mainly a problem for O 2
cutting and can be
alleviated by choosing a path with a minimum
number of starts.
• Increasing likelihood that the plate will spring up
against the nozzle causing a double arc. This
can be mitigated by careful operator attention
and by increasing standoff and reducing cutting
speeds.
If possible, use a gas torch for skeleton cutting.
Height Control Problems
• Torch diving is usually caused by a change in
arc voltage when an automatic height control is
used. The voltage change is usually the result
of plate falling away from the arc. Disabling the
height control and extinguishing the arc earlier
when finishing the cut on a falling plate can
effectively eliminate these problems.
• Diving can also be caused by a faulty height
control.
Piercing Standoff Too Low Increase pierce standoff.
Starting on edges with
continuous pilot arc
Position torch more carefully or start on adjacent
scrap material.
Work Flipping The nozzle may be damaged if the torch hits a
flipped up part.
Catching on Pierce Spatter Increase standoff or start with longer lead-in
Pierce not complete before starting Increase initial delay time.
6-1