ESAB Cutmaster 80 - 04 Options and Accessories; 05 Introduction to Plasma

ESAB CUTMASTER 80
 INTRODUCTION Manual0-5396
2T-2
F. Torch Ratings
Manual Torch Ratings
Ambient
Temperature
104° F
40° C
Duty Cycle 100% @ 60 Amps @ 400 scfh
MaximumCurrent 80 Amps
Voltage (V
peak
) 500V
Arc Striking Voltage 7kV
MechanizedTorchRatings
Ambient
Temperature
104° F
40° C
Duty Cycle 100% @ 100 Amps @ 400 scfh
MaximumCurrent 120 Amps
Voltage (V
peak
) 500V
Arc Striking Voltage 7kV
G. Gas Requirements
ManualandMechanizedTorchGas
Specications
Gas (Plasma and Secondary) Compressed Air
Operating Pressure
Refer to NOTE
60 - 95 psi
4.1 - 6.5 bar
MaximumInputPressure 125 psi / 8.6 bar
Gas Flow (Cutting and
Gouging)
300 - 500 scfh
142 - 235 lpm
!
WARNING
This torch is not to be used with
oxygen (O
2
)
NOTE!
Operatingpressurevarieswithtorch
model,operatingamperage,and
torch leads length. Refer to gas
pressure settings charts for each
model.
H. DirectContactHazard
For standoff tip the recommended standoff is 3/16
inches / 4.7 mm.
2T.04 Options And Accessories
Foroptionsandaccessories,seesection6.
2T.05 Introduction to Plasma
A. Plasma Gas Flow
Plasma is a gas which has been heated to an
extremely high temperature and ionized so that it
becomeselectricallyconductive.Theplasmaarc
cutting and gouging processes use this plasma to
transfer an electrical arc to the workpiece. The metal
tobecutorremovedismeltedbytheheatofthearc
and then blown away.
While the goal of plasma arc cutting is separation of
thematerial,plasmaarcgougingisusedtoremove
metals to a controlled depth and width.
InaPlasmaCuttingTorchacoolgasentersZoneB,
where a pilot arc between the electrode and the torch
tip heats and ionizes the gas. The main cutting arc
then transfers to the workpiece through the column
ofplasmagasinZoneC.
A-00002
Workpiece
Power
Supply
+
_
C
B
A
Typical Torch Head Detail
By forcing the plasma gas and electric arc through a
smallorice,thetorchdeliversahighconcentration
ofheattoasmallarea.Thestiff,constrictedplasma
arcisshowninZoneC.Directcurrent(DC)straight
polarityisusedforplasmacutting,asshowninthe
illustration.
ZoneA channels a secondary gas that cools the
torch.Thisgasalsoassiststhehighvelocityplasma
gas in blowing the molten metal out of the cut allow-
ingforafast,slag-freecut.