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Operation
Sequence of operation
A set of flowchart images shows the sequence of operation for the plasma cutting system.
Automatic purges
Plasma cutting system purges are automatic.
Gas-change purges for OptiMix™ or VWI™ cutting systems
If your cutting system has an OptiMix™ or VWI™ gas connect console, a plasma-gas purge can occur automatically.

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Operation
- CNC controls and display
  A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) controls cutting system operation.
- Wireless device controls
  You can use a wireless device to set up and monitor the plasma cutting system.
- Power-indicator LEDs
  An Light Emitting Diode (LED) illuminates to show the power status on the plasma power supply and on other system components.
- Sequence of operation
  A set of flowchart images shows the sequence of operation for the plasma cutting system.
  - Power-up state (1)
    The Power-up state (1) process starts when the operator sets the remote on-off switch for the plasma cutting system to the ON position and the redundant remote on-switch (if enabled) to the ON position.
  - Initial Checks state (2)
    During the Initial Checks state (2), the system looks for diagnostic codes and gets temperature and inlet pressure measurements.
  - Gas Purge/Pump On state (3)
    During the Gas Purge/Pump On state (3), the system does a specialty purge of gases and coolant and then does a check of the coolant flow.
  - Wait for Start state (5)
    During the Wait for Start state (5), the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) sends the Plasma Start command to the cutting system.
  - Preflow/Charge DC state (7)
    During the Preflow/Charge DC state (7), the system starts some internal components and measures the gas pressure.
  - Ignite state (8)
    During the Ignite state (8), the system does a check for correct gas pressures, Direct Current (DC) bus voltage, and chopper current. The Ignite state (8) must be completed in 500 milliseconds or less.
  - Pilot Arc state (9)
    During the Pilot Arc state (9), the system does a check for correct coolant flow, gas pressures, temperatures, Direct Current (DC) bus voltage, chopper current, and work cable current. The Pilot Arc state (9) must be completed in 500 milliseconds or less.
  - Ramp-up state (11)
    During the Ramp-up state (11), the system increases current and gas flow to the correct setpoints.
  - Steady state (12)
    During the Steady state (12), the system does a check for correct coolant flow rate, gas pressures, temperatures, and chopper currents. It also does a check for the Plasma Start signal to be removed for the selected process.
  - Ramp-down state (13)
    The Ramp-down state (13) starts when the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) removes the Plasma Start command.
  - End of Cycle state (14)
    The End of Cycle state (14) stops the choppers and gas flows. It also starts timers to stop the fans and the coolant pump.
  - High-voltage relay stages in the ohmic circuit
    During a wet process – for example, N₂/H₂O – water can be a current path for the ohmic-sense circuit.
  - Automatic purges
    Plasma cutting system purges are automatic.
    - Gas-change purges for OptiMix™ or VWI™ cutting systems
      If your cutting system has an OptiMix™ or VWI™ gas connect console, a plasma-gas purge can occur automatically.
    - Process-setup purges for all plasma cutting systems
      Process-setup purges are different for an OptiMix™ or VWI™ gas connect console than they are for a CorePlus™ or Core™ gas connect console.
- Process selection
  All of the cutting processes have a process ID that is a unique identification number. Each process ID aligns with a set of preprogrammed values in the cut chart database in the plasma power supply control Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
- Cut charts
  A cut chart contains parameters that are necessary to get optimal results for your cutting process with special materials and thicknesses.
- Torch consumables
  The plasma cutting system uses the same consumable parts for perpendicular-position processes (90° angle) and bevel-cutting processes.
- Example configurations for consumables
  Consumables that are worn or have damage can have a bad effect on cut quality.
- Recommendations for maximum consumable life
  Consumables are the parts of the torch that wear as they are used. Consumables that are near end-of-life can have a bad effect on cut quality and performance.
- Arc Response Technology
  Arc Response Technology™ lets the plasma cutting system adapt to problems at the torch that can cause decreased consumable life or possible torch damage.
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Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
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Gas-change purges for OptiMix or VWI cutting systems

If your cutting system has an OptiMix™ or VWI™ gas connect console, a plasma-gas purge can occur automatically.

A plasma-gas purge can occur automatically when the cutting system changes from:

A non-mixed-fuel gas process to a mixed-fuel gas (H₂-mix)
A mixed-fuel gas (H₂-mix) or F5 to a non-mixed-fuel gas process

The type of plasma gas used for the purge is different for different cutting system configurations:

OptiMix cutting systems use a two-phase gas-change purge that includes N₂.
VWI cutting systems use a two-phase gas-change purge that includes air.

The following steps occur automatically for a plasma-gas purge:

The mixed-fuel gas (H₂-mix) or F5 drains from the plasma cutting system through the torch.
For an OptiMix cutting system, N₂ removes residual mixed-fuel gas.
For a VWI cutting system, air removes residual F5 gas from the torch lead.

A shield purge can be necessary in some conditions:

If a process changes from a wet process to a dry process, a shield-fluid purge is used.
During a shield-fluid purge, N₂ removes residual water from the shield gas/fluid hose.
A wet process uses water as a shield fluid. A dry process does not use water as a shield fluid.

Note:

Core™ and CorePlus™ cutting systems use only process-setup purges. They do not use gas-change purges.