摘要 |
A method and apparatus for plasma cutting includes a cutting power supply, preferably a buck converter, and a compressor. The cutting power supply provides power to a plasma torch, and the compressor provides air to the torch. The air compressor is integrated into the plasma cutter, and includes a compressor motor, preferably with a buck convertor power supply, or having the motor windings are part of the buck converter that is the cutting power supply. The motor is regulated regulator to a fixed setpoint or a user setpoint by a compressor regulator in response to a feedback signal, preferably a compressor motor voltage feedback signal. The compressor also turns the compressor on and/off in response to a trigger and/or cutting current feedback signal and has an on/off circuit responsive thereto in various alternatives. The cutting power controller and the compressor regulator are part of an integrated controller, and/or the cutting power supply and the air compressor are in a common housing, and/or the cutting power supply and the air compressor have an integrated power supply.
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