Troubleshooting plasma torch troubles - part 3
This week, we’re sharing troubleshooting tips for your plasma torches. If you’ve been following along, you’ve learned to properly assemble your torch (tip #1,) change your consumables before they fail (tip #2) and clean your torch threads (tip #3.) Now, without further ado, here are tips 4 through 6.
Tip #4
Clean the nozzle and electrode seating area. In many torches, the nozzle and electrode seating area are points of electrical contact. If they become dirty or pitted, your torch won’t work correctly.
Tip #5
Check gas and coolant flow. Routinely (as in everday!) check the flow and pressure of the gas and coolant in your torch. If you find there isn’t enough of either, stop cutting until the problem is fixed.
Tip #6
Avoid “tips-ups” and crashes. Yes, we know, this is another “duh” tip, but again you’d be surprised at the number of problems caused by this very issue. The solution is simple: program your shape cutting system to travel around, and not over, cut parts whenever possible. (Hypertherm’s CAM software makes this super easy.) Breakaway torch mounting devices can help prevent—or at least minimize—damage if a collision does occur.