ESAB Launches 600- and 800-Amp Options for iSeries of High-Precision Automated Plasma Systems

For increased productivity in automated plasma cutting, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products (Annapolis Junction, MD) has launched enhanced versions of its 200-, 300-, and 400-amp versions of iSeries high-precision plasma power sources to double cutting output to 400, 600, or 800 amps, respectively. The new capability, standard on iSeries systems, requires using matching consumables, a connection kit with cabling, and associated software for the controller.

“The concept is similar to paralleling two welding power sources to use larger diameter electrodes for increased productivity,” says Dirk Ott, VP, global plasma automation. “This new capability features some modest software and hardware enhancements, but the challenge was developing the new 600- and 800-amp consumables for stainless steel and aluminum.”

Ott adds that consumables are the most highly engineered components in an automated plasma cutting system and that achieving optimal cut quality and speed requires changing consumables to match the application. ESAB now offers consumables for automated plasma cutting outputs from 15 to 800 amps.

Target users include fabricators and steel services centers that use two torches on the same gantry and those cutting sections of stainless steel and aluminum material up to 6.25 in. (160 mm), which are primarily in the power generation, pressure vessel, chemical and petrochemical processing industries. Users of 600- and 800-amp systems primarily want faster cutting speeds on non-ferrous material that ranges from 2 to 4 in. (50 mm to 100 mm). As an example, the 600-amp system cuts 3 in. (75 mm) stainless steel at 13 inches per minute using H35 (the H35 process uses 35 percent hydrogen/65 percent nitrogen for the plasma gas and nitrogen for the shielding gas).

With the new capabilities, users of iSeries 200, iSeries 300 and iSeries 400 systems have the flexibility to operate two systems of the same output independently or together.

“Putting two plasma torches on the same gantry to cut identical shapes is a common strategy to increase productivity in high-volume applications,” Ott says. “When fabricators want to double output to cut thicker materials or increase cutting, all they need to do is switch consumables. We made this easy because our 400-, 600-, and 800-consumables all use the same torch. With the quick-change consumables cartridge, users can change consumables in less than 30 seconds.”