Plasma Torch Troubles

If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace.

"DrO" wrote: (clip) The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You ARE aware, I hope, that the electrode and nozzle on the torch are consumable. Have you examined/replaced those? If the orifice in the nozzle gets too large, it will stop working. The electrode (on mine it's a steel tip with spiral grooves around it) burns back as it is used. Eventually, it starts acting the way you describe.

Even if those are not the cause of your present problem, you need to have spares on hand.

I don't know what torch your plasma has but mine has a Trafimet/Selco S30 IIRC and I found out a design problem by debugging the workings when it failed to play ball and I thought the electronics had failed . The internal electrode is pushed back by the air pressure when the plasma is initialised and the repeated impact of the consumable electrode on the back housing upset the material causing it to pinch the retracting shaft that the electrode was screwed into, eventually the pinch was enough to prevent the electrode going back to the start position so the electronics didn't see arc initiation and so no operation. Once I had realised what the problem was a couple of quick passes with a small 3 corner scrapper sorted the burr and no further problems till the next time but then I may know what the problem is.

Funny you should say that...I did it the second time and I got ribbed kind of hard as to the color of choice (don't use your kid's neon pink)

I change out two new nozzles and electrodes, thinking that was it...still exhibits the same with new parts

I found a picture of the air cooled electrode with a consumable breakdown...(mine is the center consumable option)

On what part in the picture did you find the flaw?

the electrode PN is ERGOCUT S 45

Well, I'll say what everybody is thinking: you got what you paid for. Good luck, but keep your expectations low.

Bob