Okay guys...
Here is the deal: I am going through consumables faster than I like (even though I think it is about average, the boss does not), I am tired of having to adjust and readjust the Z to try and obtain the best cutting height to keep the quality of the cut for the parts being made, and hopefully add some life to our consumables.
So I have started looking into THCs for our set up...
Our setup:
- AutoCAD 2010 (Parts designed)
- LazyCAM (dxf to tap)
- Mach 3
- Precision Automated Equipment Table and Stepper Drive
- Hypertherm Powermax 1000 G3
Now I have searched and searched and have came up with many solutions that may apply...
Hypertherm's "Bruce" (I think was his name) informed my the THC's they offer only adjust the intial setting of the cut height. So if the metal was to warp the torch would NOT adjust to keep the optimum cut height.
Something I found strange/alarming is that he said he didnt know what I meant by "warping of the metal when it was being cut". Then he immmediately went into discussing about a more expensive set up that could cut under water to avoid the "warpage" I had to describe to him in full detail.
Even further to my amazement, is that he said there were no products that could adjust the torchhead's height during cutting. So either I have completely misread any number of webpages and posts saying there is a way, or he is poorly informed.
So far I have found the MP3000, but it would require us to either fabricate a "Plasma Floating Head" or to purchase one.
My question is... this product adjusts the torch height as it cuts? Correct?
We cut 1.3mm(18GA) to 1.9mm(14GA) mild steel and aluminum about the same thickness. Well, when cutting the metal can tend to warp or bow in and out from the heat of the plasma. Causing the torchhead to either be too far away from the metal or coming in direct contact with the torchhead ruining the consumables.
I see it directly works with Mach 3... which is a great thing, but are there any additional codes required to be generated by the CAM software? We use LazyCAM.
Any help or input for something to help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!