METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PLASMA CUTTING HOLES AND CONTOURS IN WORKPIECES

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods of using a plasma arc torch to cut holes and contours in workpieces having varying thickness and material properties. The systems and methods of the present invention allow for the cutting of holes and contours without the need for using secondary processing by using particular overburn, tail out and/or cutting parameters.

主权项

1. An automated method for cutting at least one hole in a workpiece using a plasma arc torch, the method implemented on a computer numerical controller and comprising:
piercing the workpiece at a center of said at least one hole with said plasma arc torch; cutting a lead in for said at least one hole with a plasma arc created by said plasma arc torch which extends from said center to a perimeter of said hole, where said lead in reaches said perimeter at or near a lead in point, and at least a portion of said lead in is arcuate in shape; cutting said perimeter of said hole with said plasma arc at a first arc current value, where said perimeter is cut from the point at which said lead in reaches said perimeter to said lead in point, and after said plasma arc torch reaches said lead in point, maintaining said plasma arc on said plasma arc torch for an overburn distance past said lead in point and moving said plasma arc along said perimeter past said lead in point at a second arc current, wherein said second arc current is at or near the first plasma arc current, and wherein after said overburn distance said second arc current is turned off and said plasma arc torch is moved along said perimeter until said plasma arc is fully extinguished.