How to adjust the air pressure of the inverter DC air plasma cutting machine?

The inverter DC air plasma cutting machine is a highly efficient tool widely used in the field of modern metal cutting. It melts and cuts metal materials through a high-temperature plasma arc. It is widely used to process metals such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys. However, when performing plasma cutting, the adjustment of air pressure is crucial, which directly affects the cutting quality, cutting speed, and the service life of the equipment.

1. The influence of air pressure on cutting quality

Air pressure is one of the key parameters affecting the plasma cutting process. The plasma cutting machine uses compressed air as a gas medium to cut metal through the combined action of the nozzle and the arc. The correct air pressure can ensure that the plasma arc is stable, the cutting edge is smooth, and excessive burning or incomplete cutting is avoided. Too high or too low air pressure will lead to a decrease in cutting quality.

- Excessive air pressure: Too high air pressure will cause the plasma arc to be too strong, and too much heat will be generated during the cutting process, which may cause excessive melting of the material surface, rough cutting edges, and even cause thermal deformation of the metal. In addition, excessive pressure may also cause increased wear of the parts of the cutting machine.

- Too low air pressure: Too low air pressure will cause unstable plasma arc, slow cutting speed and unsatisfactory cutting effect. At this time, the arc cannot fully penetrate the material, the quality of the cutting surface is poor, and problems such as uneven cutting and non-vertical cutting are prone to occur.

Therefore, it is very important to adjust the air pressure reasonably. The ideal air pressure of each cutting machine and each material has its specific requirements, and the air pressure should be adjusted according to actual needs.

2. How to adjust the air pressure?

The air pressure adjustment of the air plasma cutting machine is usually divided into the following steps:

**Check the equipment manual**

Different models of air plasma cutter have different requirements for air pressure. Before operation, be sure to check the equipment manual to understand the recommended air pressure range of the model of cutting machine. The recommended air flow and pressure values will be indicated in the manual as a preliminary reference.

**Choose the right air pressure**

Under normal circumstances, the air pressure of the cutting machine is between **4.5 and 6.5 bar (450-650 kPa)**. When choosing the right air pressure, adjust it according to the thickness and properties of the material being cut:

- For thin sheet metal (e.g. 1-6mm), generally use a lower air pressure (about 4.5-5.0 bar);

- For medium and thick sheet metal (e.g. 6-12mm), the air pressure can be appropriately increased (about 5.0-5.5 bar);

- For thick sheet metal (e.g. above 12mm), the air pressure is usually set at 5.5 bar or higher to ensure that the arc can stably penetrate the thicker metal.

**Check and adjust the air flow**

In addition to the air pressure, the air flow also needs to match the pressure. Adjust the flow of the air source to ensure a stable supply of air during the cutting process. Usually, the cutting machine is equipped with a pressure regulator and a flow meter, which can adjust the flow according to the set pressure to ensure the optimal cutting effect.

**Adjust the distance between the nozzle and the electrode**

The distance between the cutting machine's nozzle and the workpiece (i.e. the cutting distance) will also affect the adjustment effect of the air pressure. Usually, the distance between the nozzle and the workpiece is kept within the range of 2-5mm. Too close or too far will affect the air flow and cutting quality, so it needs to be adjusted appropriately according to the actual cutting situation.

**Check the air source and filter regularly**

Make sure that the compressed air supplied to the air plasma machine is clean and dry. Moisture, oil or impurities in the air will affect the stability of the plasma arc, so it is necessary to regularly check and clean the air source filter to keep the air clean to avoid damage to the cutting quality.

3. Tips and precautions for adjusting air pressure

- Avoid frequent adjustments: During the cutting process, once the air pressure is set, try to avoid frequent adjustments. Frequent changes in pressure may cause arc instability, affect cutting quality, and even damage the equipment.

- Environmental factors: The temperature and humidity in the environment will also have a certain impact on the adjustment of air pressure. In a high temperature or humid environment, the density of the air will change, which will affect the cutting effect. Therefore, it is best to operate under stable environmental conditions.

- Regular testing and verification: After adjusting the air pressure, it is recommended to conduct a small-scale cutting test to ensure that the cutting effect meets expectations. By constantly adjusting and testing, the best air pressure setting can be found.

Adjusting the air pressure of the air inverter plasma cutter is an important operation to ensure cutting quality and long life of the equipment. The correct pressure setting can help maintain the stability of the plasma arc, improve cutting accuracy, and reduce burrs and thermal deformation. When operating, you should select the appropriate air pressure according to the type and thickness of the cutting material, ensure that the air source is clean and the flow is sufficient, and regularly maintain the equipment to avoid cutting problems caused by operating errors.