FILENAMES: Plasma cam tool pictures: Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper1 Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper2 Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper3 Actual copper test strip (test coupon if PCB ) Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper4 The whole strip with text FINE on the right side. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper5 foreground is gouge tip - notice second and third - did not cut through. At the end of the trace the machine paused for the final shutdown and did a nice hole. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper6 Shows the last two in each run. The two at the top are fine cut. This is the bottom. From these, I see a slight slant in my torch - not much in the slot. All 4 cut through. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper7 Lets you see a beat up thumb and 48oz on the metal. Also, look in the slots. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper8 The last to (best two from each nozzle) - see a barn through the gouge nozzle! In general - copper cuts nicely when treated with the correct speed and current. I will likely take the best speeds and then do a like current test - to better refine and conserve consumables. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper9 Plasma cam documentation of fine cut around a small 'circle' [ and the man :-) ] Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper10 copper cut - artist circle. see 9 below you can see my catch bed. Works fine. Hypertherm_600_fine_cut_copper11 Printout of 9 that is easier to read. sans spy with a camera. DESCRIPTION: I wanted to test out my plasma cutter on copper. The booklet that comes with it does not list copper in suggested currents / surface speed charts. About this time, a friend was cutting and needed some reference informaion. Here is some of the text information I have and a host of pictures. The man behind the screen in one picture was captured sneaking a shot. I used my PlasmaCam CNC to drive the test. Technical Data taken : Pictures of all of my software programming tool interface are shown - this is the fine cut setting - but only z and offset difference was altered. I had to work on a complex design that required the fine cut option so I chaned it to my findings. (the project is 1/3 the size it needs to be maybe more. (Rats).... This text is taken from a user group e-mail and enhanced here as requested. I'd like to thank Johnny at Rockymountainmetalworks (that must be a long sign over a driveway!) for requesting additional informaion and therefore making me take more notes for future work. These go into my book for another day. I cut copper tonight. It is Copper 110 < alloy is 110. thickness is .064" or 1/16"... 48 oz copper ... Before cutting, the Z shift is re-zeroed - so when I cut at 0.100" it is as close as possible. Zero setting is done in the cut area. All currents are set to 30 amps. Surface cutting & pierce elevation of torch nozzle is .100 " Time spent to Pierce - 1.01s (1 was entered). Arc voltage shift - I have not calibrated nor had to adjust it. I set it like the book or it was close. 5 V/in arc voltage scale 1.25 shift arc voltage shift 3v min min cutting signal 12v max max cutting signal [ I didn't play with these as the notes in the CAM manual indicated so-so towards them. They are not on the front pannel of my machine anyway - current is. - I think this is important for DHC in real time. I have DHC turned off as in some of my cuts I trace over prior cutouts and the torch dives down the hole. I dont' lead it into the hole, just next to it or close enough that the beam makes the hole wider or opens it. When the metal does warp - e.g. 16 ga steel, I have used it to track up and down the curves. So it does work. I have a Hypertherm 600 running on 220v. [ I noticed the standard consumables were really used up - but likely did somewhat normal work.] Also, various steels and Al was in the booklet, but copper was not estimated... Measurements were done optically leaning over with so so light. Must be re-measured. can't find flat gage -(still moving into this new shop ) - forgot drill set 61-80 as pin gages(forgot again). This first series is for the normal size Gouge Nozzle set. Standard hand torch. Cut 2" lines using various speeds. 50 ips clean cut .055 kerf - approx via optical rule 100 to fast - did not cut the length - used heat from pierce to cut some. 75 ips to fast - did not complete the whole line - last 1/3 didn't cut final hole did. 25 ips very clean now .08 kerf but likely to slow. 40 ips .08 clean chosen speed as it is slightly better than 50 due to consistent square slot. <> 0.025" kerf [ a small paper clip wire will not enter the slot.] 100 - to fast misses some near the end - like the first one. 75 ips still to fast - does better than 100, but does not complete line. 25 ips - CLEAN and nice cut. still a thin 0.025. 40 ips - clean as 25 - a little clearer cut line that 25. <<< best Then I cut two text lines - the words F I N E (spaces placed - font space is narrow. Finecut gives me rounded (as it should) serifs on Billboard TT font. One was cut on the inside the other was cut from the outside(entry). This test took 1" x 12" of test area off the end of my sheet. It could be compressed - text off and lines closer. I wanted plenty of room just in case. Also I wasn't worried with the metal use so much. Martin H. Eastburn lionslair@consolidated.net Lufkin Cutting Edge Design, LC Lufkin, Texas