ArcGlide THC Instruction Manual 3-7
OPERATION
Arc voltage control (AVC) disabled
AVC disabled mode is the simplest automatic operating mode for the ArcGlide THC. The ArcGlide automatically
performs IHS and then moves to the pierce height. When the torch is in position, it fires but delays motion until the
pierce is complete. After the pierce is complete, the torch begins cutting transitions to the cut height above the
workpiece. The cutting is performed at a fixed position with no adjustment for arc voltage feedback. At the end of the
cut, the torch automatically retracts to the programmed Retract Height.
This mode is commonly used for rip cuts or for cutting single small, simple parts, or remnants.
Set arc voltage mode
In this mode, the unit performs IHS and moves to the pierce height before it fires the torch. After the pierce, cutting
motion begins and, after a programmed delay, the unit begins AVC. During cutting with AVC, the THC moves the torch
up or down to maintain the arc voltage at the programmed value for Set Arc Voltage.
The automatic set arc voltage mode is used for special cutting or marking conditions where getting an accurate arc
voltage sample is difficult. Some examples include:
• Plasma marking at low standoff torch heights
• Plasma cutting thin material at low torch heights
• Cutting complex shapes where lead-ins are short
• Cutting or marking under conditions where an accurate IHS is not possible. Some of these conditions include:
• A dirty, rusty, oiled, or painted workpiece
• Stall sensing with thin flexible material
• Cutting with a bevel head
Sampled arc voltage mode
This is the most automatic mode of operation. The THC performs the same basic IHS, piercing, cutting, and retract
sequences as the set arc voltage mode. The only difference is that after piercing, the unit samples the arc voltage
under steady state operating conditions. The THC uses sampled arc voltage as the programmed set arc voltage for the
remainder of the cut. The sampled arc voltage mode automatically compensates for the change in the arc voltage that is
caused by consumable wear or the length of the torch lead. This mode requires an accurate IHS and voltage sample.
Sampled arc voltage mode is used for:
• Any cutting or marking conditions in which accurate IHS and arc voltage sample is possible
• Cutting a medium to thick workpiece at medium to high cut heights
• Clean, flat, relatively level workpieces
• Parts with medium or long lead-ins
The figure on the following page illustrates the sequence of cut control operations that are governed by the parameters
in the Phoenix CNC software. If your CNC does not use Phoenix software, the operations may have different names but
the actions of the torch are likely to be the same.
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