What’s the difference
between pierce capacity
and edge start capacity?
When we talk about CNC plasma power source
capacity, we quote pierce capacities. This is the
maximum thickness of material the plasma can pierce if
it was to start within the sheet.
Pierce Start
The pierce needs to happen quickly to reduce the
chance of the molten metal blocking the consumables
in the end of the plasma torch and stopping the cut.
Edge Start
It is possible however (although more dicult to setup)
to start from the edge of the sheet. Because the risk
of blocking the consumables is reduced, the material
thickness can increase. Edge starting can also give
longer consumable life.
swift-cut.com
SWIFT-CUT XP | CNC PLASMA CUTTING SYSTEM
How do I get drawings on
the table?
You can bring your DXF/DWG drawings into the
SwiftCAM software either from les saved locally or
on USB memory drive. Open the folder location where
the le is saved and select the lename you want to
import. Alternatively you can bring in JPEG images via
the same method and then use the advanced image
importer function to clean, scale or delete elements of
the drawing. Once imported, simply follow the step-by-
step process to nest your parts onto your sheet.
Can I use my own plasma
power source?
Swift-Cut plasma machines seamlessly integrate with
Hypertherm plasma power sources and torches. If you
already have a Hypertherm plasma, depending on age,
we can advise the necessary parts required (if any) to
connect it to one of our machines.
Can it cut box section?
No problem at all. We have lots of customers cutting
box section on our Pro plasma machines. The
maximum height box section permitted on the machine
is 150mm (6”)
How often do consumables
generally last?
Many factors can affect consumable longevity
including air quality, material type, and the amount of
pierces. If the machine is setup correctly and you’re
using clean material, consumables should typically last
1-3 hours. When using the MaxPro 200, consumable
technologies such as LongLife, CoolFlow™ and
TrueFlow™ signicantly increase consumable life to
reduce cost per part
Are the consumables easy
to buy?
All consumables are readily available direct from Swift-
Cut or one of our approved distributors.
How fast will the machine
cut?
Depending on material thickness, the Swift-Cut XP
can typically reach cutting speeds up to 6m/min (236
ipm) in combination with the MaxPro 200 plasma
power source
Are there any rules when it
comes to cutting holes?
This one’s as much of guide as it is a hard and fast
rule! When cutting holes using standard denition
plasma, it’s good to follow the 2D rule. This is where,
in order to maintain good hole quality and tolerance,
you should ensure the smallest hole you want to cut
has an approximate diameter twice that of the material
thickness. i.e. if you have 5mm plate, you should aim
for a hole diameter of around 6mm. All our machines
have software which automatically calculates the
optimum lead-in, cut height and feed rate to ensure
your cut holes look as good as possible
Can I use a hand torch with
my Hypertherm plasma
power source?
You certainly can. If you wish to use a hand torch with
your plasma, simply unplug the machine torch and
CNC connections, and plug in the hand torch. You will
need to place your material on the cutting bed of the
Swift-Cut machine to make use of the earth connection.
Alternatively you can plug in a separate earth lead if you
want to work away from the Swift-Cut. When you’ve
nished hand cutting, just reverse the proceedure.
Can I use my own
CAD program such as
AutoCAD?
You are more than welcome to use any CAD package
you feel comfortable with. As long as you can save the
les in a DXF/DWG format, you can open them in the
SwiftCAM software without any problems..
What are the benets of
mixed gas cutting?
The main benets are reduced angularity, better edge
nish, less dross, improved hole quality and faster cutting
speeds. To achieve these results you would use Oxygen
cutting gas and Air shielding gas on mild steel, and
Nitrogen cutting gas and shielding gas on Stainless Steel
and Aluminium. Mixed gas cutting is only available in
conjunction with the MaxPro 200 plasma power source.
If you require any further
help or information please
visit swift-cut.com