Plasma height control – Powermax air plasma systems

Powermax air plasma systems used with a Sensor PHC offer metal fabricators an entry-level mechanized plasma cutting solution with excellent cut quality and consumable life. The tightly coupled designs of the Powermax and Sensor PHC for Powermax air plasma systems make installation and operation easy. Reliable, voltage-sensing torch height controls improve plasma system performance by automatically positioning the torch at the correct heights for cutting and piercing for better cut quality and improved consumable life. The Sensor PHC with Powermax air plasma systems utilizes advanced microprocessor technology and arc voltage closed loop feedback to automatically maintain desired torch height during cutting to provide greater accuracy, repeatability and cut quality. Height controls without programmable pierce and cut height.

Pierces on 6 mm (1/4″) mild steel

Sensor PHC No Sensor PHC
1st cut sample, maximum kerf angle 3° 4°
451st cut sample, maximum kerf angle 4° 11°
Better consumable life
Spatter during piercing prematurely damages the nozzle
presents a threat to the nozzle and shield. Setting the torch
higher during piercing avoides spatter damage, prolonging
consumable life.
The Sensor PHC offers programmable settings for both pierce
and cut heights to automatically position the torch.
Improved cut quality performance
Maintaining the torch at heights recommended in Hypertherm
cut charts improves cut quality by positioning the plasma
arc for the straightest cut. The Sensor PHC offers improved
quality over the entire life of the consumables by automatically
controlling torch height while cutting.
The following cut-edge angle dimensions were measured
at the beginning and end of a 450 pierce-and-cut test for
both setups.
Angles were measured on all four sides, all four samples. The lower the number, the
better the cut quality. The angles will vary with thickness.