Small shapes not completely cut. Plasma or software

[Black70]

Hey guys, reading reading reading and trying to learn as much as I can. Came up to another technical problem. To start, i have a Tracker CNC with a Hypertherm 65. Cutting 14g steel. Everything specs by the hypertherm book for cutting. So fine consumables, 45amps, 220ipm, 82 volts, .060 cutting height, .150 piercing height.

Disclaimer: I did contact and sent info the the manufacturer but they do not work on weekends so i'm kind of trying to figure it out so I can cut asap.

So to start, my understanding is that the torch goes to location, drops, makes contact with steel, goes up to piercing height, ignite and pierces, goes down to cut height and then start to move. It's in the last 2 steps that the problem occurs. If it pierces and wait for a split second, the shape will be cut completely around. If it moves right after piercing it will leave a small segment not cut at the beginning resulting of not cutting the complete shape. I attached a small video showing this in action. The first one, you can see the torch moves right after piercing and a few of the shapes are not cut all around. The second one it stays for a split second and the shape will be cut completely. Picture shows 4 different time I cut it out without changing any parameters in the software. I'm using Command n Cut. Since it's not consistent from cut to cut it's harder to figure out. I suspected the water table so I emptied it and tried without. No change. Replaced with new consumables to diagnose, no change. Still didn't figure it out. Hope somebody has run into this kind of problems. Tks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdp2LkjBoI

[WyoGreen]

I can't tell from your picture, but are you using a lead-in on your cuts? A lead-in (or a longer lead-in) might help with your problem. I don't know if you have the option, but an over-cut might also help.
I tried watching your video, but youtube says it isn't available.

Steve

[sphurley]

their web site says 27/7 support?

[sphurley]

Make that 24/7, hard to type in the dark.

[Black70]

Yes, i do have a lead in option. They all had one coming from the middle of the holes.

[tnbndr]

They all had one coming from the middle of the holes.

From the picture, I don't see a lead in! When you checked the lead in box did you put a length value in the box below, assuming sheetcam.
The other setting to play with would be pierce delay.

[hacnwac]

I have an older tracker with newer electronics installed. Are you drawing your lead ins with the command and cut program. You should be able to see them on the plot screen. What is your pierce delay. On my machine if the airflow is not running on my torch the pierce delay needs to be a little longer so the torch fires before the cut path starts . I think my machine pierce delay is set around 700 for 14 ga. The guys a tracker have always been great to me for support even on weekends and holidays.
Thanks Mark

[Black70]

In the picture there are no lead in. I had them on the previous parts but there wasn't any difference for the cutting. Sometimes it was ok, sometimes it wasn't. The picture show 4 test circle. All of them cut right after the other. No changes. One of them is almost perfect. Only the small hole was not cut completely. I am not using Sheetcam. I am using Command n Cut. Looking into sheetcam may be an option too. Oh and I did call Tracker during the weekend. We are also working to find the cause of the problem. The bummer is that it's not consistent. It varies from piece to piece. Harder to find.

[acourtjester]

Are the small cuts correct in size and shape if not you may have a drive slippage problem.
With power on try pushing in both the plus and minus in the X and Y direction to see if either moves at all

[steel 35]

Slowing the speed down 60* for small holes?

[Black70]

Yes I did the 60% of full speed for anything smaller than .500".

[steel 35]

Yes I did the 60% of full speed for anything smaller than .500".

I use 1.5" as suggested By Jim Colt. I am not the best nor close but he is. Sounds like you may Have found his wright up on small Circles if not might search for it. That may have affected your (difference) not recognizing some circles? But I couldn't tell you how to check. I cant read my own righting let alone Gcode