Plasma Cutting Parameters

Cut Charts Filter

Database

Open

Allows the user to select a specific Cut chart database (defined by the powere source, units, specialized applications) from the dropdown menu which lists currently installed databases.

Clear filter selection

Open

Allows the user to clear all the custom Cut chart database filters (e.g. thickness, material etc.) previously selected in the respective dropdown menus.

Cut Chart entry selected

A list of processes available for a given set of Cut chart database filter values, ideally narrowed down to a single process. Process ID, cut speed and process description constitute the name of each entry. Once the user makes final selection, all the parameters in the page are populated with values from the Cut Chart line corresponding to the selected process.

Cut chart revision

Allows the user to track the version of cut chart(s) currently installed on the system.

Plasma Settings

Consumable selector

By default, a set of consumables is assigned to the operation based on the Cut Chart entry selected. The consumables are generated as Robotmaster tool holder, and the name reflects the value and material they are to be used on. User can select <No consumables> option, if they choose to include the consumables into plasma torch CAD model. The former option is better suited for switching between multiple sets of consumables, while the latter may be useful when only one set of consumables is used in the robotic cell.

Process ID

By default, the process ID of the actively selected Cut Chart entry is displayed.

If there are marking processes defined in selected Cut Chart entry, they can be picked from the dropdown menu. Picking a marking process automatically re-populates parameter fields with values corresponding to the selected marking process.

Current

The value of the current is user editable, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry and consumable set.

Arc Voltage

The value of the voltage is user editable, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry and consumable set.

Motion Settings

Cutting speed

The value of the cutting speed is user editable, defined in selected Cut Chart entry, and adjusted in mm/sec.

There is no management of end-of-cut slowdown (SS) or path specific slowdown (small circles).
Also, there is no knowledge or management of robot maximum speed. The user must manage speed adjustment if the required plasma cutting speed is faster than the robot’s maximum speed.

Kerf width

The value of the kerf is user editable, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry.

Kerf is an offset from CAD edge to compensate for plasma beam dimensions. There is no management of path specific compensation offset. E.g., when cutting a small hole, the required side offset may be different and user will have to change the kerf manually. Kerf does not account for the cut angle or size at the bottom of the cut.

Pierce delay

The value of the pierce delay is user editable, in seconds, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry.

Pierce delay is the amount of time plasma torch stays static at the starting point of the cut, while the arc is piercing through the material.

Pierce height

The value of the pierce height is user editable, in mm, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry.

Pierce height is the distance at which plasma torch nozzle is kept from the material surface while piercing through. It is usually different from cut and/or transfer height, but may be the same value.

Transfer height

The value of the transfer height is user editable, in mm, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry.

Transfer height is the distance at which plasma torch nozzle is kept from the material surface while transferring the pilot arc to the material. It is usually different from cut and/or piercing height, but may be the same value.

Cut height

The value of the cut height user editable, in mm, and defined in selected Cut Chart entry.

Cut height is the distance at which the plasma torch nozzle is kept from the material surface during the cut. It is usually different from transfer and/or piercing height, but it may be the same value.

Angle adjustment

Value of the angle adjustment is in degrees, and user defined.

The algorithm reprojects the path based on angle adjustment, at the desired angle and corrected height while respecting the integrity of the top edge of the cut. This is to correct future cuts based on previous cut tests. This is not to create 4bevel cuts from a non-bevel cut path generated from CAD. Desired bevel angles should be modeled in the CAD model.