PlasmaCam Samson 510 "Losing Arc" Error

[SMWJoe]

We have a Samson 510 system and a brand new computer system sent from PlasmaCam themselves and new software. So we have it up and running and every time we cut just a simple basic circle or square we get the "lost arc" error message. The suspicious issue is that it's always stopping at the same place on every cut. We can change the start of the cut path but it stops at the corresponding are if it were the original cut path. Hopefully this wasn't too confusing and someone can help us out.....

[weldguy]

What plasma cutter are you using?

[Rodw]

I would review the gcode and make sure nothing funny is going on (like a spurious Z upwards movement that breaks the arc) at a given point.

[rdj357]

Most common cause is insufficient airflow to the plasma. What level of height control do you have?If advanced, make sure you've sec it to auto zero z height and arc shift voltage for this sheet. (It sets on the first cut then clears the boxes)

If basic then be sure you've zeroed the torch to the sheet.

Does it cut other paths ok or is it any path after a short cut, that's usually air. If the torch stops firing for any reason it will give this error.

[SMWJoe]

We have the advanced height control and it's set to auto. No it stops on every path. We've done circles, rect., and polygons. Now the stopping point varies between the different shapes, but the stopping point is consistent with the same type of shape. We'll look into the airflow.

[SMWJoe]

Its a Duramax HRT cutting torch

[weldguy]

Its a Duramax HRT cutting torch

I was curious about the model of plasma cutter. Powermax 1000, 1250, 65, 85, etc. The newer Powermax units have a digital display and you may see an error or warning on the display when this problem occurs. It is often air flow due to a plugged filter in your air supply and a newer powermax will show a code for this. You could simply be using the air faster than it can flow through the filter allowing you to cut until the pressure gets to low.

[SMWJoe]

Definitely no digital display on this one haha

[rdj357]

This sounds very much like an air issue. You should have a 3/8 air line (1/4 is ok if very short) to supply the plasma from the source. Check any filters along the way including if there is one at the back of the plasma. Install a tee with a gauge at the air inlet of the plasma and make sure you are maintaining 90-120 psi there while the torch is cutting.

[SMWJoe]

Ok thank you. I ran a dxf. instead of the in-program draw tools and it never failed to stop every 4 seconds into a cut.