IN THIS ISSUE

- Selecting the right consumables for your system
- BAE Systems tackles rusted metal with plasma
- Ask Jim: dross free cuts on thin metal
- Rolling Bones perfect the art of building a hot rod

Join us to celebrate American manufacturing with special "American Built. Building America." articles in this and future issues of SPARK.

LETTER FROM HYPERTHERM

I have often heard Hypertherm's founder, Dick Couch, remark about the transformation he's observed in Hypertherm's products over his career. He most frequently cites the progress made since our first half-inch "portable" cutter, the MAX40 was introduced in 1985. For roughly the same price (and a lot less in inflation-adjusted dollars), today's Powermax45 cuts at least twice as fast, has at least triple the consumable life, is literally a small fraction of the size and weight, and is many times more reliable.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

BAE Systems, a global defense and security company,delivers a full range of products and services to air, land, and naval forces, as well as clients in private industry. The company has offices worldwide, with each location offering customers slightly different products and services. Its San Diego, California location for example, has a marine fabrication shop that focuses on repair services for navy ships and commercial vessels.

TECHNOLOGY TIP

Do you ever struggle to find the right consumable or torch for your system? If you haven't taken advantage of the Torch and Consumable Guides available on our website, you should. These guides could save you a call to Customer or Technical Service and help you find an answer on your own in minimal time!

LIVE LEARNING

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLASMA COMPONENTS FOR YOUR SMALL FORMAT CNC TABLE

Successfully navigate the world of small format CNC tables by watching this webinar with Hypertherm's Jim Colt and Rob Bite. You'll learn how to choose an air plasma power supply for your table system, tips and tricks to make the set-up process fast and painless, and more. Watch this webinar.

MORE PARTS THROUGH INTEGRATED PLASMA CUTTING SOLUTIONS

We'll show you how Hypertherm's full suite of products can reduce wasted motion in the cutting process leading to a significant increase in the number of parts your shop can produce. Watch this video.

For more live learning opportunities, visit the Hypertherm Cutting Institute, a free online community where you can read our latest blogs and join discussions with other people who use plasma.

SUCCESS STORIES

ROLLING BONES PERFECTS THE ART OF BUILDING A HOT ROD
Every industry has legends. People who innovate and surprise, who don't just do what's expected, but do the unexpected really well. It takes expertise and experience to become a legend. But it also takes drive, vision and passion.

Ask Jim

Q. I am trying to cut out a fairly detailed design on 16 gauge steel but am ending up with a lot of dross. My system also seems to be burning too hot because it is blowing things out.

A. Plasma needs to maintain its speed to cut dross free, so typically if there is dross, all you need to do is increase the speed for it to go away.

It sounds like your machine is not getting up to and maintaining the cut speed, especially when cutting fine details. This is likely because of (1) acceleration rates that are too slow; or (2) drive motors that don't have enough acceleration capability to achieve the necessary speeds during detailed cutting.

Hypertherm Innovations

INTRODUCING OUR MOST POWERFUL POWERMAX EVER!

The new Powermax105® is a 105 amp air plasma system for hand and automated cutting and gouging. It is designed to comfortably cut 1 ¼ inch (32 mm) thick metal, and sever metal up to 2 inches (50 mm) thick. Like its siblings the Powermax65 and Powermax85, this system is powerful, compact, and durable. This new system delivers:

Special Promotions

Our "American Built. Building America." program continues to pick up steam. Now you can visit us on Facebook for a chance to win a special edition "American Built. Building America." Powermax30 system.

This powerful yet portable air plasma cutting system includes a number of additional features to celebrate the people, infrastructure, and institutions responsible for creating the foundation of America. Those features include a heavy duty canvas carrying case, extra consumables, a Powermax30 deflector for drag cutting, a high-visibility torch lead, and more. The special edition system will be built in limited quantities and available only while supplies last.

The "American Built. Building America."Powermax30, like all Powermax systems, is engineered and assembled by the associate owners of Hypertherm at our main manufacturing facility in Hanover, New Hampshire.

On the Road

See us in action at one of the many regional shows we attend. It is a great opportunity to learn from our thermal cutting experts and get the answers you need to meet today's cutting challenges. A sampling of shows planned for this summer includes:

- Farm Progress Show
- CWA Annual Conference
- International Pipeline Expo

See our full schedule and start planning your trip.

Product Portfolio

Powermax Plasma
Mechanized Plasma
HyIntensity Fiber Laser
Hypertherm Consumables
Centricut Consumables
Automation Controls
CAD/CAM Software