Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
(OP)
I have always just fixed machines and never had to worry too much about application because where I used to work had a lot of highly skilled machine operators with many years of experience. So As long as I could get the Machines running, they could take it from there. Now I work at a very small job shop with very little expertise that have been just doing the same way they have always been and I see them struggle everyday.
Machines: PRC2200 & PRC1500 with Turbo Upgrade, Facuc C2000 and Amada F03015 with 4000w Fanuc resonator. We also have a couple old Lumonics/Photon machines, V505 and a V1200.
So here is today's big question:
For The PRC's which both have contact heads and followers, What size Nozzles should we be using for Stainless (thin and thick), what nozzle standoff distance, Gas Pressure and Focus do you find beneficial?
Currently they pretty much use full power with full pressure coming out a .120" nozzle just barely off the material. They only vary feedrate, duty cycle and frequency to compensate for material thickness.
this seems crazy to me. We tend to go through a lot of Output Couplers. They used to go through a lot of external optics until I replaced the 1/4 wave silicon with a copper version and replaced the Zero Phase Silicons with the used internal folds which believe it or not increased the up time of these machines. The Optics Manufacturer kept trying to convince me the copper isn't any better, but I haven't had one fail yet.
They also use the uncoated windows to protect the lenses.
Machines: PRC2200 & PRC1500 with Turbo Upgrade, Facuc C2000 and Amada F03015 with 4000w Fanuc resonator. We also have a couple old Lumonics/Photon machines, V505 and a V1200.
So here is today's big question:
For The PRC's which both have contact heads and followers, What size Nozzles should we be using for Stainless (thin and thick), what nozzle standoff distance, Gas Pressure and Focus do you find beneficial?
Currently they pretty much use full power with full pressure coming out a .120" nozzle just barely off the material. They only vary feedrate, duty cycle and frequency to compensate for material thickness.
this seems crazy to me. We tend to go through a lot of Output Couplers. They used to go through a lot of external optics until I replaced the 1/4 wave silicon with a copper version and replaced the Zero Phase Silicons with the used internal folds which believe it or not increased the up time of these machines. The Optics Manufacturer kept trying to convince me the copper isn't any better, but I haven't had one fail yet.
They also use the uncoated windows to protect the lenses.
"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"





RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
More knowledgeable individuals than me will soon step in, but...when cutting Stainless, I use a 0.080" single nozzle up to 0.140" material, and an 0.100" beyond that. Gas pressure varies from 8-13 bar as thickness goes up. I don't like varying feedrate...I target a feedrate and vary my power, duty cycles, pressure, etc.. to make good cuts at that speed. Otherwise, how can you quote things with consistency if you're constantly screwing with the feedrate on all the programs! If you choose one variable to remain fixed, that should be it.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
So your input is very appreciated, and I will be doing a lot of on the fly educating of myself. I am really looking forward to learning all this anyway. I do have the basic cutting info from the manufacturers like PRC, but I really like to know what veterans think.
How about Nozzle Tip shapes? They use flat knurled nozzle tips shaped like plates. where I used to work used bullet shaped nozzles for the co2 machines and tapered for our ND/Yag cutters.
"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
The first thing I see is the feederate.I find an average and stuck on it. For my little experience I never been more in trouble until I'll start to change it. For example, .125 mm (11ga) 130 in<min. Clean cut but I"ll try faster to see. The guy from Ermaksan came today and that's what he set. The thing I find the pressure very high compare to you guys. For that 11 ga 18 bar and nozzle stand off...easy they said always .0394 in (1mm). Power always maximum...2000. And nozzle size 3mm.
And yet for ss .187mm (7ga) and .250mm he had burrs and leave me with that to go take his plane for Turky. I'm telling you all what I know and not shy of it because I have to start somewhere. And it is true they have basic parameters in the machine but don't work in thick pieces. They go to 22 bar pressure for .250 at 38 in;min. You should see how fast the gaz is going down from the tank.
On that a big thanks to you RPosty for that post.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
Since they change all the head it going very easy to adjust. The collimator was contaminated. I asked what can cause that but no answer. He undercover let me know that he prefer the CO2 machine because less sensitive. Except today for the first time I cut .048 ss and let me tell you it is fast. Feedrate 800 in.min. I had a film burning before. The film burning was a little bit slower than the real cut. Pretty amazing to see that. When the head come back home after she finish the program it's like receiving a bird in your windshield car :). The speed is 3G.
Tomorrow I'll work on the 7ga. Still dross. I tried the rule of the thumb for the focal but don't really work. They said 2/3 of the thickness. I do .187 by .66666 egal .12466 divised by .0394 and result 3.1 mm focal. But still working on that.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
1500 watts CW @ 71 inches per minute
or 2200 watts CW @ 106 inches per Minute
195 PSI/13 Bar
2mm Nozzle (.080")
Focus -2mm into the material (5" FL Lens)
Nozzle Standoff 0.8mm (.032")
Not sure our tables can do 71 inches per minute because lead screws and ways are old and worn. I believe 50 inches per minute is our max. So any suggestions what to alter to compensate for slower speed? Sould I increase or decrease Assist Gas Pressure?
I think they pierce with oxygen, then cut with N2. What do you prefer to pierce with?
"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
2000 watts at 130 in.min
Nozzle 2mm Focal -2
Standoff .0394 Pressure 18 bar
I thought to put the pressure down but the cuts are perfects with absolutely no dross. Can pass my finger on the side and no cutting my finger.
71 in,min is closer to the speed of .187mm (7ga).
Me today I had problem with my sensing. Error; body touched received. Body touch fault. I'm stuck on that. I just start working to adjust the 7ga when it happen.
Opposite to plasma laser are very sensitive, fiber laser at least. I don't know about CO2. But that's the joy of getting a great piece cut. You look at it and you can say you work for it. The welder are very happy too.
RE: Nozzle Size vs Gas Pressure vs Standoff etc.
"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"