45xp Marking Pictures - My Test

admin

Figured I would spend some time and try this for myself, spent about 4 hours messing around to see what kind of results I could get and how I could use in the future. Started out with book settings, those are dead on for light marking and could be helpful with part identification if I could just rid of the divot. I gave up for now since it seemed I was always going the wrong way trying to get my machine to ramp in better. It eats argon, not that that's a problem really, I like the results for heavy marking steel with regular air better. I cleaned up the last 3 pics  with 120 grit, scotchbrite wheel and burnished it. Still you can see the divots, If anyone has an idea in Mach and Sheetcam let me know.

Attached Images





ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:I wish I could help on the divot,but really have not put too much time in the marking option. I think getting your scribe setup with the correct tool, and bit will give you what you want in quality..(IMO) Setting up Sheetcam is super easy, and it will work sweet. No stopping to cut after marking.. I have a few new bits to try with my cheap die grinder. (For deeper depth of cut)

Attached Images


Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:One thing you could try is putting a jumper/switch in your arc good signal.Just to make sure there is zero delay in torch movement. (being mach 3 and all) Sometimes it's just handy to have running code through the machine with the plasma cutter turned off.Last edited by Brand X; 04-16-2018 at 11:49 PM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:

Originally Posted by Brand X

One thing you could try is putting a jumper/switch in your arc good signal.Just to make sure there is zero delay in torch movement. (being mach 3 and all) Sometimes it's just handy to have running code through the machine with the plasma cutter turned off.
Reply:I crank up the acceleration when marking.....dimple is almost non existent. There is a much smaller dimple if marking with argon as it is less aggressive.  Jim Colt
Reply:ok got a maybe dumb question, I have a 45 xp, is there a setting to use the hand held torch to etch free hand in metal and not cut through? like if i wanted to mark equipment with a name or initials?..or is this just for a plasma table and computer driven?
Reply:Put in the marking nozzle and shield, turn the amperage knob anywhere between 10 and 15 amps, put the mode switch in the mark/gouge position and mark either by hand or by machine.  Jim Colt

Originally Posted by Hobbytime

ok got a maybe dumb question, I have a 45 xp, is there a setting to use the hand held torch to etch free hand in metal and not cut through? like if i wanted to mark equipment with a name or initials?..or is this just for a plasma table and computer driven?
Reply:

Originally Posted by jimcolt

I crank up the acceleration when marking.....dimple is almost non existent. There is a much smaller dimple if marking with argon as it is less aggressive.  Jim Colt
Reply:Thats pretty damn cool. I guess this is only possible with the XP  models? I have the older PM45 .....   can you mark using regular cutting consumables and low amps?Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:Wow, that's impressive. Very cool! I've done a couple of cut outs of a bear and a bison for our shop, but never tried anything like this. Seeing yours gives me a few ideas actually. Yet another project to add to my backlog!ESAB Powercut 1600/ Hypertherm 30XP + 45XP/ Lincoln Powermig 255/ Jet Band SawCheck out my plasma cutter reviews also!Current Project: 175 Gallon Reverse Flow BBQ Smoker!
Reply:

Originally Posted by John T

Thats pretty damn cool. I guess this is only possible with the XP  models? I have the older PM45 .....   can you mark using regular cutting consumables and low amps?
Reply:I inquired with my welding supply about the gas for stainless (I forget the name) and it was super expensive toGet the bottles that had the correct connectin type and it was only for rent not for sale.  Would love to hear how you guys are running the gas and if there is an easier way than the path I was headed with my lws.  The divot was my main issue too.  Maybe arclight dynamics can shed some light on it.  I think we have the same brand table and a 45xp.
Reply:Standard Argon  tank 300CF. a Nitrogen regulator with the Argon nipple  screwed into it..That gave me PSI settings for the plasma cutter..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Again, the 45XP is the only system in the Powermax product line that is designed for plasma marking. To do so requires a special nozzle and electrode and amperage settings between 10 and 15 amps for acceptable results. (none of the other Powermax systems can go below 20 amps.....which makes for a very aggressive gouge). The other Powermax units with the Duramax torch will fit the marking nozzle and shield, however the marking will likely be far too aggressive for most applications (deep gouge, warpage on thin materials, etc.).You can use air for marking all materials, however on very thin materials or if you want a very light mark....argon works better.The operators manual for the Powermax45XP has many pages of marking information including cut charts and pictures of the result.When argon is connected to the Powermax45XP and you have the mode switch in the mark / gouge position and the amperage set below 15 amps the system automatically goes into a short "post flow" setting (to not waste argon). A long post flow is not necessary to cool the torch at this power level.Plasma marking quality is very dependent on the cut height (use your arc voltage height control, follow the specs in the cut charts in the operators manual).  Deep gouges at the start means your machine is delaying at the pierce. Set pierce delay to zero, though there are some machines (Mach 3 based usually) that have inherent delays and delay on each pierce even with zero delay set.  If you have depper marking in corners, your machine acceleration is low. Some machines with adequate drive motors, electronics that can handle the moving mass with higher acceleration rates will minimize / eliminate the deeper marks.Keep in mind that Plasma marking is great for plate layout (bend locations, weld locations, alpha numeric, and even better for definition lines on artwork). It is not a replacement for "jewelers grade" pneumatic markers that can produce extremely fine, small marks and letters. One huge advantage of the plasma marking is that there is no x / y offset....the marking is done from the same x/y location as the cutting and because of this you can trust the accuracy of the mark to cut dimensions of the finished part.    Jim Colt    Hypertherm
Reply:I will say there is no stopping and changing consumables when using a scribe. Put in you code, and scribe cut all in one operation. No chance to move the torch that way. setting up the offset is super simple, and not a big deal either..You could set it up, and cut a full sheet of steel or many sheets,and not have to do it again. Only have to check offsets if your torch has moved in it's holder...If you are argon marking/cutting, you have to change gas, change machine settings, let the machine figure out it has air for cooling, etc..and change the consumables.. It also takes a bit for the 45XP to figure out it's running on argon. It will switch over when it figures it out, even purged it takes a bit..Don't think it takes as long to figure out it's running on air..Least with small cuts/torch fires it seems to take a bit.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i