03 General Cutting Information; 04 Hand Torch Operation - ESAB Cutmaster 120 Manual De Instrucciones

ESAB CUTMASTER 120
Bevel Angle
The angle between the surface of the cut edge and
a plane perpendicular to the surface of the plate.
A perfectly perpendicular cut would result in a 0°
bevel angle.
Top - Edge Rounding
Rounding on the top edge of a cut due to wearing
from the initial contact of the plasma arc on the
workpiece.
Bottom Dross Buildup
Molten material which is not blown out of the cut area
and resolidifies on the plate. Excessive dross may
require secondary cleanup operations after cutting.
Kerf Width
The width of the cut (or the width of material removed
during the cut).
Top Spatter (Dross)
Top spatter or dross on the top of the cut caused by
slow travel speed, excess cutting height, or cutting
tip whose orifice has become elongated.
4T.03 General Cutting Information
WARNING
!
Disconnect primary power at the
source before disassembling the
power supply, torch, or torch leads.
Frequently review the Important
Safety Precautions at the front of
this manual. Be sure the operator is
equipped with proper gloves, cloth-
ing, eye and ear protection. Make
sure no part of the operator's body
comes into contact with the work-
piece while the torch is activated.
CAUTION
!
Sparks from the cutting process can
cause damage to coated, painted,
and other surfaces such as glass,
plastic and metal.
NOTE!
Handle torch leads with care and
protect them from damage.
4T-2
OPERATION
Piloting
Piloting is harder on parts life than actual cutting
because the pilot arc is directed from the electrode
to the tip rather than to a workpiece. Whenever
possible, avoid excessive pilot arc time to improve
parts life.
Torch Standoff
Improper standoff (the distance between the torch tip
and workpiece) can adversely affect tip life as well as
shield cup life. Standoff may also significantly affect
the bevel angle. Reducing standoff will generally
result in a more square cut.
Edge Starting
For edge starts, hold the torch perpendicular to the
workpiece with the front of the tip near (not touching)
the edge of the workpiece at the point where the cut
is to start. When starting at the edge of the plate, do
not pause at the edge and force the arc to "reach"
for the edge of the metal. Establish the cutting arc
as quickly as possible.
Direction of Cut
In the torches, the plasma gas stream swirls as it
leaves the torch to maintain a smooth column of
gas. This swirl effect results in one side of a cut be-
ing more square than the other. Viewed along the
direction of travel, the right side of the cut is more
square than the left.
Left Side
Cut Angle
Right Side
Cut Angle
A-00512
Side Characteristics Of Cut
To make a square - edged cut along an inside
diameter of a circle, the torch should move coun-
terclockwise around the circle. To keep the square
edge along an outside diameter cut, the torch should
travel in a clockwise direction.
Dross
When dross is present on carbon steel, it is com-
monly referred to as either "high speed, slow speed,
or top dross". Dross present on top of the plate is
normally caused by too great a torch to plate dis-
tance. "Top dross" is normally very easy to remove
Manual 0-5398
and can often be wiped off with a welding glove.
"Slow speed dross" is normally present on the bottom
edge of the plate. It can vary from a light to heavy
bead, but does not adhere tightly to the cut edge,
and can be easily scraped off. "High speed dross"
usually forms a narrow bead along the bottom of
the cut edge and is very difficult to remove. When
cutting a troublesome steel, it is sometimes useful
to reduce the cutting speed to produce "slow speed
dross". Any resultant cleanup can be accomplished
by scraping, not grinding.
4T.04 Hand Torch Operation
Standoff Cutting With Hand Torch
NOTE!
For best parts performance and life,
always use the correct parts for the
type of operation.
1. The torch can be comfortably held in one hand
or steadied with two hands. Position the hand to
press the Trigger on the torch handle. With the
hand torch, the hand may be positioned close to
the torch head for maximum control or near the
back end for maximum heat protection. Choose
the holding technique that feels most comfortable
and allows good control and movement.
NOTE!
The tip should never come in con-
tact with the workpiece except dur-
ing drag cutting operations.
2. Depending on the cutting operation, do one of
the following:
a. For edge starts, hold the torch perpendicular
to the workpiece with the front of the tip on
the edge of the workpiece at the point where
the cut is to start.
b. For standoff cutting, hold the torch 1/8 - 3/8
in (3-9 mm) from the workpiece as shown
below.
Manual 0-5398 OPERATION
ESAB CUTMASTER 120
Torch
Shield Cup
Standoff Distance
1/8" - 3/8" (3 - 9mm)
A-00024_AB
Standoff Distance
3. Hold the torch away from your body.
4. Slide the trigger release toward the back of the
torch handle while simultaneously squeezing the
trigger. The pilot arc will start.
Trigger
Trigger Release
A-02986
5. Bring the torch within transfer distance to the
work. The main arc will transfer to the work, and
the pilot arc will shut off.
NOTE!
The gas preflow and postflow are a
characteristic of the power supply
and not a function of the torch.
4T-3