True-Hole Technology® is one of the latest buzzwords circling around the plasma cutting community, but What is it? What does it do? How does it work, and most importantly, how do you know if you need it? In this article we will explain true hole technology and discuss the features and benefits of using it in your shop and on your parts.

What Is It?: True-Hole Technology ® is a trademarked reference to a technology by plasma manufacturer Hypertherm. Similar manufacturers such as Esab have a similar feature (Esab’s Precision Hole Technology ®). The technology developed provides for more detailed and defined holes with less taper and minimal lead-in/lead out marks. In today’s ever changing manufacturing climate, this technology moves Hi-Definition Plasma Cutting ever closer to the definition and preciseness of cutting on a laser cutting machine.

What Does it Do: This new technology produces significantly better hole cutting than previous models of plasma cutting systems were able to produce. Specifically when cutting small holes. In previous generations of plasma cutting power sources, fine or small holes where very problematic. The plasma stream performing the cutting was not defined enough to accurately cut small details leaving a rough finish and highly tapered edge on small details, like holes. Typically the limitation was 1/1 or in other words, a hole diameter that was at or less than the thickness of the plate from which it was being cut was impossible to cut cleanly enough to drop a gage pin through. These small details were then generally left out and machines in a separate drilling operation adding more time and more material handling to complete.

How Does It Work?:

Step 1) A mixture of software programming and a capable controller control the critical lead in allowing for slower speeds and a radial lead-in, ramping up to faster cutting along with optimal power and gas flow/mix increases.

Step 2) An ‘auto-gas’ console controlling the mixture and flow of the cutting gasses switches between entry gas mixture to cuitting gas mixture automatically.  Amperage is also increased to optimum cutting amperage.

Step 3) Gasses are again switched and power ramped down on an exit arc.

These three elements combined allow for better control of the plasma jet stream which in turn controls the washout and taper in a hole. These technologies, Tru-Hole and Precision Hole Technology is another feature available to Hi-Definition plasma machines and one that can take the efficiency of plasma cutting even closer to that of laser or even waterjet.

Do I Need It?
Your application may or may not require “Tru-Hole Technology” as your parts may be sufficient if produced on a standard plasma cutting system. As with many other processes the more definition, accuracy and quality of cut we demand the more critical our setup, consumables, gasses, programming, material etc. These all lead to an increase in operational costs and a reduction in cutting speeds. You may find in your given application that standard plasma cutting works great for your specific situation and chasing Laser quality accuracy with Tru Hole or Fine Hole Technologies is simply not worth the added costs. However if your work is 50% or greater in the range of this technology you would be best suited to have it available.

You can read more about the Hypertherm technology, Tru-Hole® directly from their website HERE

You can read about Esab’s technology, Precision Hole from their website HERE.

At Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc. our team are experts not only in Plasma Cutting Technologies, but also the comparable shape cutting technologies Laser, Oxy-Fuel and Waterjet.  We know how to help you select the right machine for your process, part, time and budget. Call us today at 813-444-4555 or visit us on the web at www.southernfabsales.com

You can learn more about Plasma Cutting, Lasers, Waterjets and other types of fabrication processes by visiting our Technical Resource Library HERE. 

If your in the market for a new Plasma Cutting System, we offer the latest in technologies available HERE

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