June 15, 2020 - Thermal Dynamics® Automation, West Lebanon, New Hampshire, has 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 percent duty cycle and is optimized for piercing and cutting 3/4 in. (20 mm) steel, stainless and aluminum. Compared to the previous Ultra-Cut 100 XT, it offers 30 percent more power, 20 percent faster cutting speed and 50 percent longer parts life at 130A on mild steel. The Ultra-Cut 130 XT cuts 3/4 in. steel at 52 IPM (20 mm at 1321 mm/min) and 1/2 in. steel at 85 IPM (12 mm at 2159 mm/min). It has a maximum cut and pierce capacity of 1-1/2 in. (40 mm).
“The Ultra-Cut XT 130 offers industry’s best combination of cut quality, cut speed and lowest cost of operation,” says Dirk Ott, VP - Global Mechanized Plasma Systems, Thermal Dynamics Automation. “The Ultra-Cut 130 XT covers the 3/4 in. market — which is about 90 percent of all applications — at a very aggressive price point.” He notes that the Ultra-Cut 130 XT offers a good retrofit opportunity for those with older 100- or 130-amp systems.
Improved Torch
The new 130-amp XT torch features Thermal Dynamics’ patented SpeedLok consumables cartridge, which allows users to change consumables in seconds. 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 offers now also a 3 in. (76 mm) shorter torch mounting tube. The new 130 A consumables design also reduces oxygen (plasma gas) consumption by 40 percent compared to other systems, further lowering cost of operation.
In addition to O2, plasma gas options include N2, Air, H35 and argon for marking; shielding gas options include O2, air, N2 and H20 (WMS – see below). 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 even better, and holes require little or no rework.
Ultra-Cut Family Features
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 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,” says Ott. “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 ft. 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 percent faster and lowers cost-per-cut by 20 percent 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 in.
Thermal Dynamics brings intelligence to the automated plasma table with a suite of fully-integrated components that enable users to orchestrate the fastest cut, best cut and lowest cost per cut regardless of operator experience. Visit www.thermal-dynamics.com to learn more.
