Powermax 85 skipping in cut

[OTHill]

Hi! I've been helping a friend with his shop built plasma table running flashcut software and PM 85 plasma cutter. Intermitantly skipping a little just before completing cut. This morning we cut 1/2 in.material 2in circle at 85 amp with 85 amp tip and everyone skipped a bit just before reaching the end of cut. Started out with .1 overcut went all the way to .250 overcut and no difference. This happens most often in heavier materials.

[acourtjester]

Could you have a cut rule in play, I remember in the past guys talking about cutting off the plasma at the end to remove the deformation at the end of a cut.

[motoguy]

Is it completing the cut in the top side? Is the "skipped' section just at the bottom? If so, it may be due to the arc lag, which is more pronounced in thicker material. You may need to increase your overcut even further, and/or slow down the feedrate at the end of the cut to make sure the arc reaches the end of the geometry at the bottom of the material.

If it's completing the cut on the top side (the photo appears to be the top side), then you likely have a rule or setting of some sort that's shutting off the torch prior to the end of the cut. You could contact your table vendor, or Flashcut to see where these settings may be located. I'm not familiar with Flashcut's operation.

[motoguy]

Could you have a cut rule in play, I remember in the past guys talking about cutting off the plasma at the end to remove the deformation at the end of a cut.
cut.JPG

He's using Flashcut, not Sheetcam, so that exact window won't exist for him. Flashcut may have a corresponding feature, though.

[OTHill]

It's just leaving a tiny tab right at the bottom and than continuing the cut to the end. You can easily tap out the circle with a small tap. The photo is the bottom of the work