Friday, December 17, 2010

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.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

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