Hypertherm THC ArcGlide - Manual (Page 132)

132 ArcGlide THC Instruction Manual 806450
3 – Operation
Voltage Control Off mode
In Voltage Control Off (also called automatic voltage control disabled or AVC disabled mode), the ArcGlide automatically
performs IHS and then moves to the transfer height. When the torch reaches transfer height, it fires but delays X and Y
cutting motion until it has moved to the pierce height and the pierce is complete.
After the pierce is complete, the torch begins cutting and transitions to the cut height above the workpiece. The cutting is
performed at a fixed position with no adjustment for arc voltage feedback. At the end of the cut, the torch automatically
retracts to the programmed Retract Height.
This mode is commonly used for rip cuts, cutting remnants, or for cutting single, simple parts.
Set Arc Voltage mode
In this mode, the THC performs IHS and moves to the transfer height. After the torch fires, it immediately moves to the
pierce height. After the pierce, cutting motion begins and, after a programmed delay (AVC Delay and Torch Height
Disable), AVC begins. During cutting with AVC, the THC moves the torch up or down to maintain the arc voltage at the
programmed value for Set Arc Voltage in the cut chart or Process screen in the Phoenix software.
The Set Arc Voltage mode is used for special cutting or marking conditions in which obtaining an accurate arc voltage
sample is difficult. Some examples include:
 Marking at low standoff torch heights
 Cutting thin material at low torch heights
 Cutting complex shapes where lead-ins are short
 Cutting or marking under conditions where an accurate IHS is not possible. Some of these conditions include:
 A dirty, rusty, oiled, or painted workpiece
 Stall sensing with thin flexible material
 Cutting with a bevel head
Sample Voltage mode
Sample Voltage mode is the most automatic mode of operation. It optimizes consumable life because it compensates for
the change in arc voltage as consumables wear down.
In Sample Voltage mode, the THC performs the same IHS, piercing, cutting, and retract sequences as the Set Arc
Voltage mode. However, after piercing, the THC samples the arc voltage under steady state operating conditions. The
THC uses sample voltage as the set arc voltage for the remainder of the cut.
This mode requires an accurate IHS and voltage sample. In addition, when Sample Voltage mode is on, the CNC does
not use the Set Arc Voltage from the cut chart.
To enable Sample Voltage mode for the ArcGlide, choose Automatic and set Sample Voltage to ON.