Ch 11
Cut quality: dross, bevel, incomplete
Consumables → air/work lead → square → height → amps → speed → direction → kerf → then THC.
Record the starting condition, make one controlled change, and test again. Restore the original setting if the change did not help.
Use a dry test whenever a live arc is not required — plasma power off or torch-firing output safely disabled.
Symptom
Cut edge has slag, wrong bevel, or does not pierce through.
Quick checks
- ☐Fresh matching consumables for selected amperage
- ☐Dynamic air pressure during cut (not just static)
- ☐Torch square; work lead clean
- ☐THC off for first fixed-height chart cut
Fix
Dross
- Low-speed (thick/bubbly) → increase speed ~5 IPM steps; verify height; amps within chart
- High-speed (hard bead) → inspect nozzle; decrease speed; verify height/amps
- Top spatter → nozzle/speed/standoff
- Corner only → often deceleration; don't ruin straight cuts for minor corner dross
Bevel & incomplete
Positive all around → high standoff / low amps / fast / worn / wrong direction. Negative → low standoff / high amps / slow. Opposite sides → torch not square. Incomplete → consumables, dynamic air, work lead, plasma faults, chart speed/height/amps, gaps in path.
Still stuck?
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