Pierce height on small holes

Don't see your table manufacturer listed above? Post here in this forum.
Post Reply
White Bear
1/2 Star Member
1/2 Star Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:58 am

Pierce height on small holes

Post by White Bear »

I'm using MyPlasm and a PM85. When cutting small holes my torch pierces at .15" then begins to cut without dropping to .060". This does not happen on larger pieces. The strange thing it operates properly in demo mode when the torch doesn't fire. It also shows the proper XYZ coordinates while running the program with the controller off.
This is causing excessive taper. I'm about at my wits end with this machine. Every time I fire it up a new bug rears it's ugly head.
Anyone else run into this issue?
User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8154
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by acourtjester »

When cutting small holes you should run at about 60% speed for the thickness of metal you are cutting. This is setup in the planning of the G-code, separate out the holes into one layer and set the speed to the lower value. Most of the cutting will pierce at 0.160" and cut are 0.060". Thin metal can be pierced at lower setting like 0.090". Check the Hypertherm manual for the pierce and cut heights for metal thickness.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
adbuch
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 9983
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by adbuch »

This sounds like a configuration problem with your MyPlasm controller and/or your sheetcam settings (if that is what you are using). What size are your small holes, and what thickness material are you cutting?
David
White Bear
1/2 Star Member
1/2 Star Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:58 am

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by White Bear »

Thanks for the replies. Yes I'm using Sheetcam for G-code. MyPlasm will configure a secondary speed for small holes so no need for a second layer. MyPlasm overrides Sheetcam for cut speeds, pierce height, etc. I think that I have it set at 1.25" or less and my secondary speed is about 60%. All of that is working as programed. I have e-mailed Proma but they are in Poland and it usually takes a few days or longer to get things sorted out. I'm currently cutting 0.688 holes in 3/8" material. The program is all working until the torch fires then it won't drop to cutting height on small holes. I cut some 3/4" thick parts with no holes yesterday and it worked flawlessly.
User avatar
acourtjester
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
6 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 8154
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Pensacola, Fla

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by acourtjester »

If you din't use layer how do you separate cutting holes with an inside offset and cutting other parts with an outside offset.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
White Bear
1/2 Star Member
1/2 Star Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:58 am

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by White Bear »

Sheetcam does it automatically. I can't think of one instance that it's been wrong. I've had a piece or two where I had to reverse the cut direction on the entire project but that was probably my fault in the original drawing. I always use outside offset and it's good. Clockwise on the outside cuts and counter on the inside cuts.
N2 Welding
3 Star Member
3 Star Member
Posts: 290
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 2:07 pm

Re: Pierce height on small holes

Post by N2 Welding »

Did you ever figure out the issue and are you still using this system.
Post Reply

Return to “Various Manufacturers Forum”