Ch 15
Torch diving, climbing, or hunting
Disable correction, prove dir with tSt, verify voltage/target, then SPE/d-t.
Never touch THC arc-voltage terminals while energized. Raw plasma arc voltage can cause severe injury or death. Only a qualified person should connect arc-voltage wiring.
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
Torch drives into the plate, climbs away, oscillates, or THC never corrects.
Quick checks
- ☐Stop the cut; inspect torch tip and Z mechanics
- ☐Disable active THC correction
- ☐Prove fixed-height pierce/cut still works
Fix
Dive
tSt: UP must raise torch. Fix only dir if reversed — do not swap powered wires. Confirm voltage input polarity/type, H-U/target/d-t/SPE vs baseline, transferred arc (not pilot), Z coupler/screw not slipping.
Climb
Direction/polarity/input wrong; target not from stable cut; stretched arc / poor work lead; speed/amps differ from calibration; wrong divider; SPE overshoot.
Hunt
Reduce SPE in small steps. Fix loose Z/backlash. Stabilize arc (consumables/air/speed/work lead). Set target from steady cut, not pierce. Check noise and d-t too short.
Does nothing
Dashes during main arc → voltage wiring. Voltage but no LEDs → H-U/d-t/detection. LEDs but no Z → Step/Dir out / drive (use tSt). Mach3 jogs Z but THC silent → Proma state/power/SPE.
Still stuck?
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