ESAB Plasma Cutters

ESAB offer a wide range of plasma cutting machines. Manufacutred under their Thermal Dynamcis brand, there are models available for both manual and mechanised plasma cutting.

Current portable models for hand plasma include the popular Cutmaster series, inverter based power sources with high duty cycles, offering superior cutting performance on material thicknesses from 10mm, up to 50mm. Or the HandyPlasma, single phase machine; a simple and portable power source ideal for light sheet metal cutting. For heavy duty manual plasma cutting, their PAK 200 and 300 models are designed to replace the industry-renowned PAK45 by Thermal Dynamics. Made for demanding work like in foundries or heavy construction, these workhorses offer plasma cutting of thicknesses up to 100mm, an unrivalled benefit in the current marketplace. 

Older machines include the ESP, PCM and Powercut, with some still being serviced and parts available.

Mechanised options for CNC plasma cutting include the current iSeries; an automated plasma cutting solution designed with profitability in mind for demanding plasma cutting applications, and the M2 200i; offering cutting of thicknesses up to 25mm with a high duty cycle for production sheet metal fabrication. The Cutmaster A series is the ideal machine for smaller, compact tables used for light to medium duty plasma cutting, and is the sister machine to the manual version of the Cutmaster. 

We would also recommend their older Plasmarc CNC plasma cutting power source, as well as the Precision series, often found on used CNC plasma cutters.

Some common troubleshooting tips for an ESAB plasma cutter include:

No arc or weak arc:

• Check the power supply and ensure all connections are ok, the voltage is correct, and there are no blown fuses. 
• Make sure there are no issues with the torch or consumables, worn electrodes, nozzles and swirl rings can all cause arc failure; replace if needed.
• Check the air supply - low air pressure or moisture in the air can also cause arc failure. Ensure the pressure is correct (refer to the machine manual), and use a clean, dry air supply.

Arc starts but won't cut:

• Ensure the ground clamp is properly connected, and material surface is free of contamination like rust or paint.
• Check the cutting speed, as moving too fast can prevent full material penetration.
• Make sure the amp setting is correct for the material thickness and increase amperage if necessary (refer to machine manual for recommended settings).

Poor cut quality and excessive dross or slag:

• Is the torch height correct? Too high and you won't achieve sufficient penetration, too low and you'll get excessive dross, so adjust as necessary.
• Check the air pressure, as insufficient air pressure can result in irregular cuts. Increase to be in line with the specs.
• Check the consumables, as excessive wear without replacing will lead to inconsistent cutting.

Common ESAB error codes:

Refer to the machine manual for any specific error codes and how to rectify potential issues, but some of the more common error codes include - 

• E02 - low air pressure
• E03 - over-temperature shutdown
• E05 - torch consumable not detected

If you have any specific queries regarding the operation of your ESAB plasma cutter, give the team a call or contact us here with your query, and someone will be in touch!