Proper Plasma Cutting Machine Maintenance

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in a metal fabrication shop. To the untrained eye, these establishments are full of heavy-duty machinery that appears incredibly dangerous. This sentiment isn’t entirely false. These devices can cause injuries if someone doesn’t know how to use them. Luckily, supervisors around the country take the time to train their employees on the importance of preventative maintenance. Workers must take care of equipment, like plasma cutting machines, to protect themselves and maintain efficiency. Every worker should take note of this proper plasma cutting machine maintenance checklist. This guide will keep personnel safe and prolong the life of essential shop equipment.

A Brief Overview

Every metal fabrication shop should have a plasma cutting machine. Plasma cutting machines can cut through thick materials using state-of-the-art laser technology. These pieces of equipment are known for their precision and quick cutting speed. Shops can significantly increase their efficiency and produce high-quality products for their customers if they invest in one of these devices. Plasma cutting machines are available in a variety of formats. Shop owners looking for the finest instruments on the market should select a CNC plasma cutting machine. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC plasma cutting machines are equipped with computer systems that allow workers to adjust configurations as they see fit.

Mac-Tech offers some of the most superior CNC plasma cutting tables on the market today. For example, the Dynatorch XLR8 HF SERIES was created to operate with a cutting speed of over 400 IPM. Shop owners can save themselves time and cut down on labor costs by purchasing one of these tools. The PCR41 Robotic Plasma is another option for supervisors looking to cut down on manufacturing costs. This piece of equipment was designed to perform by incorporating as many fabrication functions as possible into one machine. Since it’s incredibly versatile, the PCR41 would be an excellent addition to any metal shop. Now that we know what plasma cutting machines are, it’s important to discuss the proper maintenance associated with this equipment.

It Starts with the Torch

Every shop worker knows how essential it is to keep their workspace clean. Yet, employees must also keep heavy-duty machinery tidy so that it doesn’t malfunction quicker than expected. This rule also applies to plasma cutting machines. Workers should start the cleaning process by disconnecting the torch from the mounting tube. Depending on the size of the device, two people may be needed to tackle this task. Once everything is disconnected, people should look inside the torch body to make sure all the components and wiring are intact. If everything checks out, personnel can take a cotton ball and wipe down the part to remove any debris.

Staff should also clean the torch heads of a plasma cutting machine. Sometimes, if dust or debris interfere with the torch head, the quality of the cut will be affected. Luckily, cleaning torch heads is a rather simple process. Workers can use a microfiber towel to wipe away unwanted particles or blow them away. Folks should also take this time to check for any visible signs that the torch heads are damaged or unable to function correctly. Scratches or scrapes can greatly impact a torch’s cutting ability.

Inspect Other Parts of the Machine

Once a shop staff member has checked over the torch of a plasma cutting machine, they should look over the other components. It’d be best if personnel looked over the device’s rails, gears, and racks. People should do a thorough inspection of these parts to ensure they’re in good working order. Once it’s clear that everything’s operating as it should be, workers can clean these components. Individuals should use a dry lubricant to get rid of grease or dirt from the gears or bearings. However, it’s important that people do not lubricate the rails, as this could lead to excessive wear and damage the equipment even further. When in doubt, you can always reach out to our service department.

Investigate Plasma Quality

A plasma cutting machine is only as good as its plasma quality. So, workers should regularly test the equipment’s plasma if they want to ensure the most precise cuts possible. Luckily, this process is relatively simple when working with a CNC plasma cutting machine. Staff members should consider placing a paper towel under the torch head and putting the device in test mode. From there, the machinery will expel air so that people can see if any contaminants are present. If anyone notices dust or grimy water protruding from the torch head, it’d be wise to stop the exam as soon as possible and clean the machine again. Another pro tip is to clean out the device’s filters on a weekly basis. Contaminants can make their way into the machine if the filters aren’t changed as often as they should be.

Safety is Key

After all the cleaning is done, operators should take a look at the safety measures of a plasma cutting machine. The Ermaksan EPL, for example, comes equipped with two emergency buttons that workers should locate before they begin cutting. These buttons bring production to a halt if someone’s in fear of getting injured. Personnel should also do another once-over to ensure all plugs and wires are connected appropriately. It’d be ideal if two staff members conducted this daily inspection together, just in case someone misses something. People should only use a plasma cutting machine after both parties are certain that it’s safe to use.

Every shop employee should read over this proper plasma cutting machine maintenance checklist if they plan on operating this type of device. Although these tasks are simple in nature, they’re crucial to ensuring workers’ safety and prolonging the life of the equipment. This guide has also proven how invaluable these pieces of machinery are to a shop’s overall efficiency. Any supervisors who want to increase their shop’s productivity should look at Mac-Tech’s wide selection of CNC plasma cutting tables. We have an expansive range of options to choose from, but business owners can’t go wrong in whichever one of our machines they select. will also be there to ensure a seamless installation so that your shop’s productivity can increase as quickly as possible.