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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    159

    Welcome to the Bulltear CNC plasma support forum

    Folks we are proud to be a part of this online community and happy to share our builds.
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    3634
    What's the cnc control, I don't see anything about that on your site?

    Your site only reads, software.
    Free DXF - vectorink.com

  3. #3
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    Nov 2009
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    159
    We use Mach 3 for its flexibility and ease of use.
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    2247
    Do you have an arc voltage based torch height control? If so....does this height control have initial height sensing.....to detect the surface of the plate then retract to the plasma manufacturers recomended pierce height (which needs to be about 1.5 to 2 times the cut height)?

    If the THC is optional, how much is it?

    Jim

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    159
    DTHC is not optional its standard on all our gantry kits and tables. We feel that every table out there should have a DTHC and in todays plasma cutting every customer should have the ability to cut 1" thick steel down to 18 gauge without adding costs. Its good to see you on here Mr. Colt you will be a great asset to our Hypertherm questions.

    Can you send us some info on the 45 unit? We hear it has some speacial features unlike the others.
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    3634
    Quote Originally Posted by BTA PLASMA View Post
    We use Mach 3 for its flexibility and ease of use.

    Does that include any cadcam software?

    I'm not trying to be picky, but just saying software could be anything, I think being specific on every detail would be a better idea.

    Thanks, for the control answer good to see you don't use a proprietary control.
    Free DXF - vectorink.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    You are correct....torch height control is necessary for good cut quality as well as consumable life. How is initial height done with the DTHC? Is it based on a limit switch, prox switch or does it use Ohmic contact?

    The "floating head" term is confusing as this term has been used for over 25 years in the plasma cutting industry to describe a torch height control that uses roller balls to "float" on the plate....most commonly used on HVAC plasma machines for cutting thin gauge plate that does not require a separate pierce height. This type of floating head is also use on Whitney punch plasma machines with a roller ball pate rider...these machines do not need IHS as they start the plasma on the edge of punched holes to improve consumable life! Initial height sensing is important to cut quality and consumable life....if it is a feature on your machine....you should make that clear on your site!

    Your machines look good....I can provide you with info if you contact me directly at my Hypertherm email. [email protected]

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    3634
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfjW2ygFYoE"]YouTube- Bulltear precision plasma cutting 3/8 @ 120ipm[/ame]
    Free DXF - vectorink.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    2247
    The plasma torch in the YouTube video cutting 3/8" plate.....is cutting in the wrong direction!

    Plasma has a clockwise gas swirl (on some industrial plasmas you can use ccw swirl rings for special applications such as mirror image cutting)...which causes the kerf to the right of the torch (as the torch moves away from you) to have a relatively square edge.....and the kerf to the left to have more bevel. the right side of the cut should be the "good" side, the left side the "scrap" side.

    In this video....the ID is cut clockwise.....leaving the worse bevel on the hole, and the good cut on the scrap piece that dropped......the outside is cut ccw.....leaving the good cut on the outside (scrap) edge.

    Reversing these directions will dramatically improve the cut edge angularity!

    Jim

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    159
    Our tables do not include any CAD software only a demo version of sheetcam. Their are too many options out there for CAD software and many upgrades several times a year for most systems. 90% of the times our customers have a version of Autocad, Solidworks or Bobcad or even Mastercam. For 2d drawings their are many different budget cam system available.


    Jim yes thank you for pointing out CW and CCW. It is my understanding that the consumables will generate rotation out of the nozzle and for this application cutting the way we did produced amazing results either using G41 (cutter compensation left) ot G42 (cutter compensation right). We found that with the right speed and amperage both G41 and G42 gave us the same result, same measurement. We are able to get virtually no taper in some holes. We have some consumable drawings we may use to produce some different results depending on torch head. I know your right about that Jim in most cases you will have better results in one direction versus another...definately better results. Coming from the Hypertherm world you must see some applications of 2"+ thick materials and really have to hone all varaibles. We will keep your email as a referrence and contact you with a few 45 questions.
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  11. #11
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    Jan 2008
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    Actually the thicker you cut...the easier it is to control edge angularity. It is thinner materials that it is important to have speed, standoff, gas flow/pressure correct.

    In over 30 years of plasma cutting the left and right kerf have never been identical....unless they were both bevelled! I think you will find that plasma is directional....especially if you are measuring cut edge angularity accurately!

    Looks like a nice system, and the price is right...I look forward to working with you.

    Best regards, Jim Colt

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    102
    3/8 cutting at 120imp ? What are you cutting with a 200+ amp plasma machine? I cut 3/8 steel at 22 ipm 60 amp setting standard air plasma.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    159

    Smile

    The plasma cutter was just a little hypertherm 1250 I believe...might have been a 1650 but it had the 60A tip and was cranked up. I believe the air pressure was also tweaked.
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    2247
    It is unlikely that 120 ipm was done with a 60 Amp nozzle (some call it a tip).....if you use a 60 Amp zozzle at higher than 60 Amps...it will only last a few minutes.....if you increase the air pressure above manufacturers specs it will misfire, and will wear the electrode rather rapidly. It is always suggested to follow closely to the plasma manufacturers specifications.

    If you were using an 80 Amp nozzle at book specs in either a 1250 or 1650 (Hypertherm Powermax units) you could likely cut 3/8" maerial with good quality at about 90 to 100 inches per minute. If you used 100 amp consumables in the 1650....you could cut 3/8" at about 115 inches per minute.

    "tweaking" air pressure and using a higher current for a given nozzle size may produce faster cuts for a few inches....but damage to the consumables will ocurr quickly...then cut quality will suffer!

    Jim Colt Hypertherm

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    159
    We have decided to take down the link to the video. Although we did indeed cut at that speed our objective was to show the machine is capable of those speeds and feeds. In fact its capable of 1000ipm rapids and 1000ipm feeds. We do not however warrantee consumables and the speed of the cut should come from the mfgs recommended amperage and feedrates for the material cut for consumable life. Can you cut 3/8 at 120 IPM? Yes you can but your consumable life will be short. Thank you for noting that folks!
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    159
    Our tables are capable of 1000ipm rapids and 1000ipm feeds if need be. Our little tables have been tested to 3600IPM with extremely fast ramp ups. We have customers that cut very thin titanium all the way up to 1"+ thick steel. Alot of exotic materials are not listed in MFG's recommended speeds charts for prospective plasma cutters.

    Our 4x4 tables are $7500 and come with a water tray, slats, cable carrier and are plug and play all ready to cut with your plasma cutter. Check us out online at Bulltear.com - Home
    Now featuring Plasmaland online

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