I have been using my TM2 for about 5 years now and like John never run faster than 150 ipm since I have a stepper motor system. Any materials that the Hypertherm book recommends to be cut faster are adjusted down on amperage. For example, I get excellent results cutting highly detailed 16ga steel running 30 amps, with a fine cut tip running 86 ipm, but cut big parts at 40 amps at 150 ipm. Don't be afraid to turn down the amperage and do test cuts - it will make a big difference and help you learn your machine. John - I have a question on corrugated. Do you turn off the pierce complete on very thin material like 24ga corrugated? My machine pierces then stops. Been scratching my head on this one.
I don't think I have ever cut anything thinner than 16 ga. The corrugated steel vid is from someone else (link in the video, under his video, to his page). For 16 ga, I never turn off pierce complete. I would expect about a 0 pierce delay though.
Thanks again for the great video. I have a TM2 and to this day after owning it for about 3 years I have never been convinced that my height control was even working because numerous times the torch tip has dug into the plate.Only by getting my table perfectly level have i been able to compensate for this. When i saw the corrugated metal being cut it made me aware that my AVHC has never done anything like that. Is there a way to positively make certain that the AVHC is even functioning? I have talked with tech support at TM but they sometimes aren't willing to discuss shortcomings of their machine or assume you don't know what your doing.my question to you is what test could i perform that would conclusively tell me that there is torch height adjustments being made even if they are very tiny?
MrBusterm8, I've had similar issues with Torchmate support. I feel sometimes they talk around the bug and give you b.s. I've also been disappointed with Lincoln Electric not being much help when I need support. Lincoln Electric employees no nothing about their sister company cutting systems
I have had the torch drag, but it is almost always on a small hole, or on thin material (when changing direction). I cut in manual mode for small items (IE, the inside of some parts). When cutting large items I will place it in manual mode.
John, Thanks for all the great videos. I'm an welding instructor and this past year we purchased a Torch mate 4x4. I've got a few questions for you. - Have you had any of the roller bearing for the x or y axis split on you? We've had two bearing split on us in less than a year, and keep in mind it doesn't get ran more than 2 hours a day, tops. -Also I've found that I have to run my voltage higher than what Hyperthem specs. Do you have the same issues? - Do you ever lose steps with your stepper motors? If I do a big cut(2'x2') with details sometimes when the program is finished it will be 1/4" out from where it's supposed to end. Any info or advice would be great.
Thx for watching. I have never had a problem with any bearings (had my table 3+ years now). I have a 2x4. I do not run my voltage at the Hypertherm specs. That isn't a surprise though as I am in a drier climate than where they test. It gives me a good starting point and I adjust up or down accordingly (although at this time I can't remember which direction in comparison to the specs, but I think it is up). I don't lose steps with my motors when cutting, but I also cut at 150 IPM or less. If I were to run faster than that I might expect to lose steps. Are you cutting faster than that?
Hi John Thanks so much im trying to get our plasma cutting using the AHC , im not getting any actual voltage , what causes that ? Thanks Tony B
Thank you so much man!
I have been using my TM2 for about 5 years now and like John never run faster than 150 ipm since I have a stepper motor system. Any materials that the Hypertherm book recommends to be cut faster are adjusted down on amperage. For example, I get excellent results cutting highly detailed 16ga steel running 30 amps, with a fine cut tip running 86 ipm, but cut big parts at 40 amps at 150 ipm. Don't be afraid to turn down the amperage and do test cuts - it will make a big difference and help you learn your machine.
John - I have a question on corrugated. Do you turn off the pierce complete on very thin material like 24ga corrugated? My machine pierces then stops. Been scratching my head on this one.
I don't think I have ever cut anything thinner than 16 ga. The corrugated steel vid is from someone else (link in the video, under his video, to his page). For 16 ga, I never turn off pierce complete. I would expect about a 0 pierce delay though.
Thanks again for the great video. I have a TM2 and to this day after owning it for about 3 years I have never been convinced that my height control was even working because numerous times the torch tip has dug into the plate.Only by getting my table perfectly level have i been able to compensate for this. When i saw the corrugated metal being cut it made me aware that my AVHC has never done anything like that. Is there a way to positively make certain that the AVHC is even functioning? I have talked with tech support at TM but they sometimes aren't willing to discuss shortcomings of their machine or assume you don't know what your doing.my question to you is what test could i perform that would conclusively tell me that there is torch height adjustments being made even if they are very tiny?
MrBusterm8, I've had similar issues with Torchmate support. I feel sometimes they talk around the bug and give you b.s. I've also been disappointed with Lincoln Electric not being much help when I need support. Lincoln Electric employees no nothing about their sister company cutting systems
I have had the torch drag, but it is almost always on a small hole, or on thin material (when changing direction). I cut in manual mode for small items (IE, the inside of some parts). When cutting large items I will place it in manual mode.
John, Thanks for all the great videos. I'm an welding instructor and this past year we purchased a Torch mate 4x4. I've got a few questions for you.
- Have you had any of the roller bearing for the x or y axis split on you? We've had two bearing split on us in less than a year, and keep in mind it doesn't get ran more than 2 hours a day, tops.
-Also I've found that I have to run my voltage higher than what Hyperthem specs. Do you have the same issues?
- Do you ever lose steps with your stepper motors? If I do a big cut(2'x2') with details sometimes when the program is finished it will be 1/4" out from where it's supposed to end.
Any info or advice would be great.
Thx for watching. I have never had a problem with any bearings (had my table 3+ years now). I have a 2x4. I do not run my voltage at the Hypertherm specs. That isn't a surprise though as I am in a drier climate than where they test. It gives me a good starting point and I adjust up or down accordingly (although at this time I can't remember which direction in comparison to the specs, but I think it is up). I don't lose steps with my motors when cutting, but I also cut at 150 IPM or less. If I were to run faster than that I might expect to lose steps. Are you cutting faster than that?
Torchmate Error: " Program Paused By The Feed Hold Input Line"... what should i do sir?
Hi, It`s posible control the arc long or the welder tig torch with this?
Not sure.
John Harmon - Cold Creek Works
Do you know maybe a control for this? I have a Cebora 1540 DC HF
I have no idea.