Plasma Pilot Arc Starting

Hi everyone,

Will a L/F pilot starting plasma cutter work with a CNC machine? (Is it like a blowback start?)

Background info:
I am looking at making a CNC plasma cutter and know that a HF cutter won’t work but people use blowback style plasma cutters.

However in Australia the only plasma cutter I can find that isn’t HF start is a UNIMIG razorcut 45 which uses a “Pilot L/F” as a means of plasma arc starting.

My question is if this is like the blowback method used widely in CNC plasma cutters? The razorcut 80 uses the same staring method and has CNC connectivity which to me seems like it should work?

I will attach a PDF of machine.

Regards,
Little_sparky

Its great to see another Aussie here. (I'm in Brisbane).

For an extra $100 or so, you'd be better off with an Everlast which has a blow back torch and a CNC interface. See
www.everlast-welders.com.au/product/PowerPlasma_50

As a matter of fact, you could buy mine for $1k complete with a machine torch, hand torch and some consumables. Its only ever been used for testing and still has some warranty left. I can ship anywhere in Australia as I have accounts with several carriers. You can contact me here
www.vehiclemods.net.au/contact-us

Wow it’s great to see another Aussie interested in this kind of stuff! I’m from Melbourne/Shepparton.

Do you own or have you built your own plasma cutter?

And I would definitely be interested in buying your plasma cutter. What’s your reason for selling? Have you used it on a cnc machine?

From the Mesa THCAD manual
So for a HF start device, use the THCAD10 board. Its actually a very well designed purpose built interface board designed for plasma applications.