ESAB launches new iSeries automated plasma systems

For increased productivity when automated plasma cutting, ESAB has launched enhanced versions of its 200-, 300- and 400-amp versions iSeries high-precision plasma power sources to double cutting output to 400, 600 or 800 amps respectively.

The new capability, standard on iSeries systems manufactured after 1 March, requires using matching consumables, a connection kit with cabling and associated software for the controller.

“The concept is similar to paralleling two welding power sources to use larger diameter electrodes for increased productivity,” explains Dirk Ott, VP – Global Plasma Automation. “This new capability features some modest software and hardware enhancements, but the challenge was developing the new 600- and 800-amp consumables for stainless steel and aluminium.”

Highly engineered components

Ott notes that consumables are the most highly engineered components in an automated plasma cutting system, and that achieving optimal cut quality and speed requires changing consumables to match the application. ESAB now offers consumables for automated plasma cutting outputs from 15 to 800 amps.

Target applications include fabricators and steel services centres that use two torches on the same gantry and those cutting sections of stainless steel and aluminium material up to 160 mm (6.25 in.), which are primarily in the power generation, pressure vessel, chemical and petrochemical processing industries.

Users of 600- and 800-amp systems primarily want faster cutting speeds on non-ferrous material that ranges from 50 mm to 100 mm (2 to 4 in.). As an example, the 600-amp system cuts 75 mm stainless steel at 330 mm/minute using H35 (the H35 process uses 35% hydrogen/65% nitrogen for the plasma gas and nitrogen for the shielding gas).

Connected or independently

With the new capabilities, users of iSeries 200, iSeries 300 and iSeries 400 systems have the flexibility to operate two systems of the same output independently or together.

“Putting two plasma torches on the same gantry to cut identical shapes is a common strategy to increase productivity in high-volume applications,” says Ott. “When fabricators want to double output to cut thicker materials or increase cutting, all they need to do is switch consumables. We made this easy, because our 400- 600- and 800-conumables all use the same Torch. With the quick-change consumables cartridge, users can change consumables in less than 30 seconds.”

Water Mist Secondary (WMS) process

“The Water Mist Secondary process, which incorporates nitrogen as the plasma gas and ordinary tap water for shielding, produces superior cut quality and a lower cost per cut on stainless steel and aluminium,” says ESAB. “On stainless steel, the WMS process cuts up to 300% faster and lowers cost-per cut by 20% or more, compared to systems that use Argon-Hydrogen (H35) for the plasma gas.

Adds Ott: “With our previous technology, the WMS process could cut material up to about 40 mm. Now we have increased WMS output up to 800 amps for cutting non-ferrous material up to 125 mm.”

In addition to WMS and H35 for non-ferrous, ESAB offers a full line of consumables for cutting ferrous materials, as well as using argon for plasma marketing.