[Simonh1959]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the quick reply.

We cut right through from 1.00 to 20.00mm mild steel and from 1.2 to 10mm stainless steel with a little aluminium up to 10mm thick.

The holes that I'm not happy with are mainly on the thicker mild steel parts that we cut. For example we do a lot of flanges in 12 & 15mm thick with say 20 to 30 diameter holes in them and the difference from top to bottom can be up to 2mm on diameter which means that I have to set it to cut 32 diameter on the top to achieve my required 30 on the bottom of the plate. Although I can usually get away with this, it looks bad.

Cheers

Simon Hayward

[Simonh1959]

Hi Jim,

I was wondering if you had any thoughts on this as my financial year end is approaching and if I do decide to upgrade I need to start sorting things out soon.

Simon

[jimcolt]

Simon,

Sorry I did not respond sooner. The MaxPro 200 will do a better job on holes from 6mm up through your maximum thicknesses on steel when using the oxygen cutting process. On Stainless, your speeds will be better, however your will still likely experience the oxidized edge, although if you use the Nitrogen process with the MaxPro and can submerge the plate under water (not sure what type of table you have) then the edges will be smoother and cleaner. In my experience the taper will be better with this system above 6mm, and it will be similar to the Powermax system on materials thinner than 6mm. The cut speeds and cut cost per foot will be better with the MaxPro.

I would suggest getting some cut samples from your local supplier.....they can request them from the local Hypertherm representative. That will be the best way to compare relative cut quality between the air plasma and the MaxPro200.

Best regards, Jim Colt

Hi Jim,

I was wondering if you had any thoughts on this as my financial year end is approaching and if I do decide to upgrade I need to start sorting things out soon.

Simon

[Simonh1959]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your reply.
I have contacted my local Hypertherm representative as you suggested who was very helpful indeed. I have sent him some DXF files of typical parts that I currently have to get laser cut and he has arranged to get them cut on various different Hypertherm machines to show me the finishes that I could expect from each one.

[Simonh1959]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for your thoughts on the MaxPro200.
It was suggested by my Hypertherm rep that I may get a better cut finish (especially on stainless steel) with a HSD 130 which although more expensive than the MaxPro it is a lot less than the full High Def machines and I wondered what your thoughts were.

[Simonh1959]

Hi Jim,

I was just wondering if you could explain the benefits of the HSD over the MaxPro200 and also the gasses that it can use?

[jimcolt]

The HSD130 is a 100% duty cycle, 130 amp industrial rated plasma system. It can use a variety of gases when equipped with the optional fuel gas console for better edge quality on stainles steels and aluminum. This is not a high definition plasma system. Machine torch only is available with this system, and it is a high frequency start....generally not recommended for use on cnc machines that use and office computer or laptopn as the cnc control......refer to machine manufacturer for that information.

For Steel: gases used....Oxygen plasma with air shield (recomended for best performance) Air plasma with Air shield (for thos that do not want to use oxygen as the plasma gas. Maximum recommended pierce: 1"

For stainless: gases used .....Air plasma with air shield or Nitrogen plasma with Nitrogen shield. With the optional fuel gas console you can use F5 plasma (95% nitrogen, 5% hydrogen) with Nitrogen shield for better edge weldability on stainless from gauge through 1/4". You can use H35 plasma (35% hydrogen, 65% argon) with a nitrogen shield gas for stainless from 1/4" through 3/4" (pierce limit) for best edge weldability.

Aluminum: air /air or nitrogen/nitrogen are the recomended gases. With the optional fuel gas console you can use the H35/N2 process for faster cuts and smoother edges between 1/4" and 3/4" (max pierce)


MaxPro200 is a 100% duty cycle, 200 amp industrial rated plasma system. Liquid cooled torch and high frequency start. Normally not recommended for office computer or laptop based cnc controls, check with machine manufacturer for compatibility.

Steel: Maximum pierce is 1-1/4", using oxygen plasma with air shield (best quality). 50 amp and 130 and 200 amp processes. air plasma, air shield available as well.

Stainless: Maximum pierce is 1", using either Air plasma, air shield or nitrogen plasma, nitrogen shield. 50 amp, 130 amp and 200 amp processes available.

Aluminum: same specs and gas recomendations as for stainless


So....the differences between the two: Obviously the MaxPro200 can pierce thicker and cut faster with its 200 amp capability. The HSD130 has better capability in regards to edge purity on stainless steel if you use the fuel gas mixing console. Both are high frequency start, 100% duty cycle, liquid cooled systems suitable for 3 shift a day high duty cycle industrial cutting applications.


Jim Colt Hypertherm

Hi Jim,

I was just wondering if you could explain the benefits of the HSD over the MaxPro200 and also the gasses that it can use?