Re:How to make a CNC plasma cutter with high-frequency start
by Animats on Thursday November 12, 2026 @05:45PM
(#50475489)
Is that a "scratch start" hand-held plasma torch, where you start the arc by briefly touching the workpiece? Those don't need an automatic start system.
CNC machines don't usually start that way, since they usually lack enough force feedback to briefly touch the workpiece. So they have a fancier auto start system.
Re:How to make a CNC plasma cutter with high-frequency start
by jstanley on Saturday November 14, 2026 @10:58AM
(#50498050)
No it's not, my machine does have a pilot arc. It was extremely cheap though so quite plausible that it is made badly.
I'm unclear on whether the pilot arc is just always fully there, or if maybe there is a resistor in the pilot arc return which makes current preferentially flow through the main arc.
How is this achieved?
On my Parkside machine there is only one positive and one negative terminal on the power supply, so unless there's some active electronics in the torch handle, I don't think there is anyway to switch off the pilot arc circuit?