ESAB XT Plasma Torches Troubleshooting instruction

TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

Date: 01-05-10

Product: XT Plasma Torches By: Mike Linehan

Subject: Consumable Parts Handling

THERMAL DYNAMICS AUTOMATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Phone: 1-800-752-7622

Fax: 1-800-221-4401

tdc-tech@thermadyne.com

www.thermadyne.com

Form 0008

82 Benning Street

West Lebanon, NH 03784

1-603-298-5711

Fax: 1-800-221-4401

“Exceeding Customer Expectations Through Performance Excellence"

For More information Contact:

Recent field experience has demonstrated that close attention to consumable parts cleanliness and

lubrication is crucial for optimum cutting performance.

Consumable parts, especially tips and gas distributors, are machined to a very high level of precision,

necessary for the precise metering of gas and coolant flows that plasma cutting requires. If small gas

or coolant passages are even partially obstructed, cut quality and consumable parts life will deteriorate

immediately. Partially obstructed gas passages may show up as exaggerated bevel, poor cut quality

or uneven tip wear. Obstructed coolant flow will be evident in short consumable parts life.

The most common causes of consumable parts contamination are 1) shop dirt introduced when

changing consumable parts and 2) excess lube applied to O-rings, especially parts cartridge O-rings.

Thermal Dynamics recommends that operators keep in mind these best practices.

1. Handle consumable parts with clean hands.

2. Assemble the consumable parts on a clean surface.

3. Keep the consumable parts in their original packaging until use. Routine shop dirt and

airborne particles can work their way into consumable parts and obstruct key gas or coolant passages.

4. When applying O-ring Lubricant, 9-4983, avoid applying excess lube. Take a small amount of

lube on one finger and rub the lube between finger and thumb until the lube is transparent. Then apply

lube to the O-rings on the torch head and the consumable parts cartridge. O-rings on tips, electrodes

and gas distributors are lubed at the factory and should not require any lubrication in the field.

These simple practices are important for consumable parts performance and will help you get the best

cutting possible from your Ultra-Cut or Auto-Cut plasma system.