Patent ID: 8278588

Claim:
A plasma cutting system comprising: a plasma torch actuated by a trigger and connected to a power source; a gas supply system constructed to receive pressurized gas and provide a gas flow to the plasma torch; a sensing device; an air pressure-closing proportional valve configured to regulate the gas flow; and a controller configured to: determine a target gas pressure set point for a plasma cutting operation; determine a ramp pressure set point offset from the target gas pressure set point; apply a full-open drive signal to the air pressure-closing proportional valve; monitor a pressure of gas flow output from the air pressure-closing proportional valve via the sensing device; apply a ramping drive signal to the air pressure-closing proportional valve after the pressure of gas flow has reached the ramp pressure set point; and apply a target-pressure drive signal to the air pressure-closing proportional valve after the pressure of the gas flow has reached the target gas pressure set point.