Patent ID: 7015416
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of plasma cutting, comprising: a) defining a cut path in the workpiece to be cut; b) employing a plasma cutting torch, said torch comprising at least one plasma gas and a current, said current comprising a mean value and an rms value; c) delivering a plasma jet with said torch in order to produce a cut kerf in said workpiece by movement of the torch relative to said workpiece along said cut path, wherein said plasma gas has a flowrate and a pressure, said torch movement comprising an initially programmed cutting speed and an instantaneous cutting speed, said cut path comprising at least one path portion in which the instantaneous cutting speed can vary, thereby resulting in an instantaneous cutting speed variation, said plasma jet comprising thermal energy, kinetic energy, and plasma arc voltage; and d) keeping said torch at an approximately constant distance from said workpiece along substantially the entire cut path and during the cutting of the workpiece by adapting the characteristics of said plasma jet in said at least one path portion, said adaptation comprising: