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Plasma gouging consumables remove metal from the surface of a workpiece instead of cutting through it; these answers help you choose, fit and look after them.
Hold the torch tilted back against the direction of travel at the angle and working height your torch manual gives. A shallower angle makes the jet skate along the surface for a wider, shallower groove, while a steeper angle drives it in for a deeper, narrower one. Treat any figure you read as a starting point, as the best settings depend on the system, the current and the job.Do not hold the torch too close to the work, because molten metal then builds up on the nozzle, and if it is held too far away the arc loses penetration. Check your torch maker's manual for the consumables and current you are using, and practise on scrap first.
Several settings work together. Raising the current makes the gouge wider and deeper, and lowering it makes it narrower and shallower. Moving faster gives a narrower, shallower groove, and moving slower gives a wider, deeper one, according to plasma maker guidance.Torch angle and height matter too: a more upright torch cuts narrower and deeper, while a longer arc stretch gives a wider, shallower groove with a smoother bottom. Always keep at least a small gap between the torch tip and the molten metal, which protects the torch and helps the parts last. The force of the arc depends on the current and the plasma gas flow rate, so keep gas settings as your manual specifies. Change one setting at a time.
Yes. Plasma maker guidance says moisture, oil and other contamination in the air supply can significantly reduce consumable life and cut quality, and can even harm the torch. Poor gas quality also reduces cutting and gouging performance.Use a clean, dry supply. Built-in filters remove some moisture and dirt, but where air passes through long lines, tools that add oil, or humid conditions, makers recommend extra filtration close to the machine. Check the filter element and bowl regularly and replace the element as your manual says. Keep the pressure within the range in your manual. If consumable life suddenly drops, check the air supply first.
Gouging consumables are a separate family from cutting ones. Plasma makers publish distinct gouging parts, and the tip shape and shield are designed to remove metal from the surface rather than cut through it.Gouging parts also come in different styles. Some are aimed at controlled, shallow removal and light washing, some at heavy removal and deep profiles, and some at very small removals at low current. Gouging shields are intended to protect the tip from molten metal, so use the tip and shield combination your torch manual lists. Check your manual for the parts your torch is designed for, and keep gouging and cutting parts clearly separated.
