Thermal Dynamics Automation, part of ESAB, recently introduced the Ultra-Cut 130 XT high-precision plasma power source and new 130-amp XT torch and consumables.
The system has a cutting output of 130 amps at 100% duty cycle and is optimized for piercing and cutting ¾-inch (20 mm) steel, stainless and aluminum, the company said. Compared to the previous Ultra-Cut 100 XT, it offers 30% more power, 20% faster cutting speed and 50% longer parts life at 130A on mild steel. The Ultra-Cut 130 XT cuts ¾-inch steel at 52 IPM (20 mm at 1321 mm/min) and ½-inch steel at 85 IPM (12 mm at 2159 mm/min). It has a maximum cut and pierce capacity of 1-1/2 inches (40 mm).
“The Ultra-Cut XT 130 offers industry’s best combination of cut quality, cut speed and lowest cost of operation,” said Dirk Ott, vice president of global mechanized plasma systems for Thermal Dynamics, while noting that the 130 XT offers a good retrofit opportunity for users of older 100- and 130-amp systems. “The Ultra-Cut 130 XT covers the ¾-inch market—which is about 90% of all applications—at a very aggressive price point.”
The new 130-amp XT torch features Thermal Dynamics’ patented SpeedLok consumables cartridge, which allows users to quickly change consumables. An improved torch head alignment in the torch reduces variations between cut sides for better tolerances (due to the swirling plasma gas, one side of the plasma cut inherently has a bevel angle of about 1 degree). To increase flexibility when mounting the torch in a plasma bevel head, Thermal Dynamics also offers a 3-inch (76 mm) shorter torch mounting tube. The new 130 A consumables design also reduces oxygen (plasma gas) consumption by 40% compared to other systems, further lowering cost of operation, Thermal Dynamics maintained.
In addition to O2, plasma gas options include N2, Air, H35 and argon for marking; shielding gas options include O2, air, N2 and H20. All XT torches use existing parts for underwater cutting when fabricators want to reduce smoke and glare.
The Ultra-Cut 130 XT, coupled with an improved version of Thermal Dynamics Diameter PRO software (found in the iCNC Performance Controller), offers better cut perpendicularity, sharpness and consistency, allowing for outstanding hole quality. Bolts fit better, and holes require little or no rework.
The Ultra-Cut 130 XT offers all the familiar features of the Ultra-Cut power sources, including StepUP modular power technology that allows 130-, 200- and 300-amp systems to be upgraded to a maximum output power of 400 amps, the company added.
“The ability to add inverter blocks means fabricators never have to worry about purchasing a system that does not have enough capacity to meet future needs,” Ott said. “Fabricators can easily and economically upgrade to a more powerful system when they require greater cutting capacity.”
Like all Ultra-Cut XT units, the Ultra-Cut 130 XT comes with a ScrapCutter option that gives owners the ability to connect a manual 1Torch directly to the front of the unit for plasma cutting of plate skeletons to simplify scrap removal. The ScrapCutter option provides a constant 100-amp output, and torch lengths of up to 100 feet are possible.
The Ultra-Cut 130 XT also cuts aluminum and stainless steel using Thermal Dynamics’ Water Mist Secondary (WMS) process, which incorporates nitrogen as the plasma gas and ordinary tap water to generate the shielding gas. On stainless steel, the WMS process cuts up to 300% faster and lowers cost-per-cut by 20% or more compared to systems that use H35 for the plasma gas. The WMS high-precision plasma process makes ISO Class 3 cuts or better on stainless steel and aluminum up to 3/4 inches.
Visit thermal-dynamics.com to learn more.