Process-gas requirements for all gas connect consoles

You must supply the process gases for your cutting system.

Process-gas requirements include the following:
  • Nitrogen is required for all processes.
  • Air is required for H2 mix processes.
  • Water can be used as a shield fluid for plasma power supplies that have a VWI™ or OptiMix™ gas connect console. Refer to Shield-water requirements (VWI and OptiMix) for the specifications and requirements for water that is used for shield purposes.
Table 1. Gas quality, pressure, and flow requirements
Gas Quality System inlet pressure (during gas flow1) Flow rate
O2 (oxygen) 99.5% pure, clean, dry, oil-free

Core™, CorePlus™, VWI: 7.5 bar ± 0.4 (110 psi ± 5)

OptiMix: 7.9 bar ± 0.4 (115 psi ± 5)

 71 slpm (150 scfh)
N2 (nitrogen) 99.99% pure, clean, dry, oil-free

Core, CorePlus, VWI: 7.5 bar ± 0.4 (110 psi ± 5)

OptiMix: 8.3 bar ± 0.4 (120 psi ± 5)

 181 slpm (380 scfh)
Air2 Clean, dry, oil free consistent with 8573-1:2010 Class 1.4.2

Core, CorePlus, VWI: 7.5 bar ± 0.4 (110 psi ± 5)

OptiMix: 7.9 bar ± 0.4 (115 psi ± 5)

 118 slpm (250 scfh)
H2 (hydrogen) 99.995% pure OptiMix: 8.3 bar ± 0.4 (120 psi ± 5) 50 slpm (105 scfh)
Ar (argon) 99.99% pure; clean, dry, oil-free

CorePlus, VWI: 7.5 bar ± 0.4 (110 psi ± 5)

OptiMix: 8.3 bar ± 0.4 (120 psi ± 5)

 118 slpm (250 scfh)3
F5 (95% nitrogen, 5% hydrogen) 99.98% pure

VWI: 7.5 bar ± 0.4 (110 psi ± 5)

OptiMix: 7.9 bar ± 0.4 (115 psi ± 5)

 40 slpm (85 scfh)
1 When there is no gas flow, make sure that the pressure at the gas inlet connection is less than 8.6 bar (125 psi) to prevent system alerts.
2 Air compressors must remove oil before they supply air to the cutting system.
3 Flow rate during argon marking and argon assist.
Table 2. Air compressor requirements
Hypertherm® recommends that air compressors supply air that complies with the requirements of ISO Standard 8573-1:2010 Class 1.4.2.
Maximum particle count in 1.0 m3:

  • 20,000 at 0.1 microns - 0.5 microns

  • 400 at 0.5 microns - 1.0 microns

  • 10 at 1.0 microns - 5.0 microns
Maximum water vapor pressure dew point: 3°C (37°F)
Maximum oil concentration: 0.1 mg/m3 (for aerosol, liquid, and vapor)

Speak to your air compressor manufacturer if you operate the cutting system in temperatures colder than 3°C (37°F) or if you are not sure that the air compressor complies with the ISO standard for air quality.