METHOD FOR OPERATING A PLASMA TORCH

A method for piercing and cutting a workpiece using a plasma torch having an electrode and a nozzle spaced from and surrounding a distal end portion of the electrode to form a process gas flow channel. According to one embodiment, the method includes delivering a plasma gas through a process gas flow channel of a torch at a first pressure while ionizing the plasma gas to produce a plasma arc extending between an electrode and a workpiece. When the plasma gas is conveyed at the first pressure, a piercing operation is performed by creating a perforation in the workpiece using the plasma arc. After the piercing operation, the plasma gas is conveyed through the process gas flow channel at a second pressure lower than the first pressure to perform a cutting operation, and a cut is formed in the workpiece with the plasma gas conveyed at the second pressure, a cutout begins at and extends away from a boundary of the perforation. 一种用于使用等离子体喷炬刺穿和切割工件的方法，等离子体喷炬具有电极和喷嘴，喷嘴与电极的远端部分间隔开并且围绕电极的远端部分，以形成工艺气体流动通道。根据一种实施方式，该方法包括