How important is a well-tuned height control system?

A good machine control system will move the cutting torch around the workpiece, this is what a CNC control system is designed to do. It is different when it comes to height control. The separation between the torch and the workpiece must be maintained at the correct distance. This requires more than simple x-y positioning; a height control system comprises both distance measurement, height control and control of the motor. The tuning of the various components ensures that you get a perfect cut.
Each system should be left to do what it does best, CNC should be used for x-y movement and the height control system used to move the torch vertically.

How important is a height control system?

During some of my visits to customers, I have seen installations where a high quality cutting machine is being used with the best plasma source but the height control system is either sluggish, not steady or cannot reliably maintain the correct distance between the torch and the workpiece.

It isn’t said for nothing that the height control system contributes to at least one third of the overall quality and productivity of a cutting machine

Why is it that in some countries, oxy cutting torches are often manually operated?

I find it amazing that so many users operate machines where the distance between the oxy-fuel torch and the workpiece is adjusted manually. When I ask the question “Why?” the answer is often “We used to have an automatic control system but it gave up working after a few weeks”. What I would like to stress is that these were not clearance control systems supplied by IHT. Our systems work reliably over many years.
There are many reasons for using automatic clearance control systems, they increase productivity and quality, torches last longer, replacement parts costs less and there are no collisions between the workpiece and the torch.

The importance of gas cutting is underestimated.

Even in the cutting industry there are fashion trends. As a new cutting method becomes fashionable, methods that had until then been used widely, start to be neglected. At present laser cutting is the “In” technique, a few years back it was plasma cutting. As plasma became fashionable, the popularity of oxy-fuel declined.
Considering all the advantages of oxy-fuel, I don’t understand why it is not still more widely used. I see the benefits as being lower capital and operating costs, straighter and more accurate cuts and the possibility to cut thicker material. There are a few disadvantages of course, cutting stainless steel isn’t possible, more heat is transferred into the plate and the cutting process is slower. In emerging countries, oxy-fuel cutting is less widely used than in more developed parts of the world, indeed in some countries, the oxy-fuel process isn’t used at all. I think this is wrong and we should re-consider the use of oxy-fuel cutting.

Why is it better to use automatic heigtht control for oxy fuel cutting?

We have one customer who has been able to reduce his workforce by 40% by installing IHT height control systems. The cutting quality is consistently high regardless of which operators are actually working. Of course, it is important that a high-quality height control system is used that is able to control the cutting process accurately.

Which companies IHT Automation supplies with its products?

IHT works very close with the world's leading cutting machine manufacturers. From the very beginning we have been working with the market leaders. If necessary, we also offer customized versions of our products.

How can you minimize scrap when cutting with oxy fuel ?

How can you minimize scrap in oxy fuel cutting?

For height control, IHT use a small ring electrode with a diameter of 34 mm. With this ring you can cut close to corners and edges.