I went out and did a few sample cuts yesterday. I had not run the machine myself for awhile, so I figured I could use the practice. This was a customer's file that he emailed over. I originally was cutting at 100ipm with a Thermal Dynamics A120 Plasma Cutter using a 40 amp tip and set to 40 amps. It was cutting fine, but it was such a detailed file, that I knew I could do better slowing down. I ran a line speed test and found that 40ipm actually gave me a virtually dross free cut and came out perfect. Kerf width was .045". I took the following video. I sent an email to the customer explaining that he may want to change the font or something to give a little more material in the letters and numbers.

I was cutting over our new prototype water table, although it didn't have much water in it. There is an Arc Voltage Torch Height Control mounted onto the 2x2 in the video. I put it in manual mode and set the cut height to the same as the pierce height for the sake of the sample. I wanted to show that you didn't need THC at all. There was virtually no bevel, but it is tough to see that in the video. I was cutting 14 guage steel.

YouTube - Torchmate 2x2 CNC Plasma Cutter cutting sample over water table / bed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tAjru4aMoY)

Nice! What were the settings if you don't mind me asking....Any warping? The water level isn't high enough to stop it from warping is it?

I have a intricate part that I currently have lasered because I'm afraid of heat, but that had a lot more piercing/cutting, in a smaller area, and it doesn't look like there was any heat issue at all.

Nice! What were the settings if you don't mind me asking....Any warping? The water level isn't high enough to stop it from warping is it?

I have a intricate part that I currently have lasered because I'm afraid of heat, but that had a lot more piercing/cutting, in a smaller area, and it doesn't look like there was any heat issue at all.

Water splashed up a little, but not too much. The water level was about three inches below the plate. It was a 40amp tip running at 40ipm and height control in manual mode. Piece did not warp at all. The material was .060"

Water splashed up a little, but not too much. The water level was about three inches below the plate. It was a 40amp tip running at 40ipm and height control in manual mode. Piece did not warp at all. The material was .060"

...Proof that I really need to get my table dialed in ;) You wanna come do that for me? :D

...Proof that I really need to get my table dialed in ;) You wanna come do that for me? :D

You'll get it. Line speed test is key. I do it every time I switch materials. Don't be afraid to stray from book settings. You have to learn what too fast, too slow, too close and too far away look like in the cut. Then tuning is easy.

You'll get it. Line speed test is key. I do it every time I switch materials. Don't be afraid to stray from book settings. You have to learn what too fast, too slow, too close and too far away look like in the cut. Then tuning is easy.

Damn, so you're gonna make me learn to fish :(

j/k Keep posting the cool stuff. Gives me motivation to learn!