
Plasma Cutter55A

User Manual

D
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1Precautions for installation 1
1.2 Precautions for operation 2
2.1Functions and characteristics 5
2.2System characteristics 6
2.5 Composition and configuration 7
3. INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION 8
3.1 Installation requirements 8
4.1 Panel functions of CUT55 10
4.3 Notes for cutting operation 11
4.4 Cutting parameters table 13
4.5 Replacement of electrode and nozzle 13
1. SAFETY
1.1 Precautions for installation
![]() |
Beware of electric shock! ● Install grounding device according to application standard. ● Do not touch live parts with naked skin, wet gloves or wet clothes. ● Be sure you are insulated from ground and work piece. ● Cover the cover plate of the machine before power on to avoid an electric shock. ● Confirm the safety of your working position. |
![]() |
Beware of fire hazard! ● Please install the machine on non-combustible materials to avoid a fire. ● Make ensure there are no flammables near the cutting position to avoid a fire. |
![]() |
Beware of explosion! ● Do not install the machine in an environment with explosive gas to avoid an explosion. |
.
1) Make sure the place to install the machine can bear the weight of the cutting machine.
2) Do not install the machine at places where water droplet splash may be produced, such as near water pipes.
3) Cutting should be carried out in dry environment with humidity of 90% or less.
4) The temperature of the working environment should be between -10℃ and 40℃.
5) Avoid cutting in the open air unless sheltered from sunlight and rain. Keep it dry at all times and do not place it on wet ground or in puddles.
6) Avoid cutting in dusty area or environment with corrosive chemical gas.
7) Do not carry out cutting with the cutting machine placed on a platform with a pitch greater than 10°.
Over current / over voltage / over heating protection circuit is installed in this machine. When the mains voltage, output current or inner temperature exceeds the set standard, the machine will stop automatically. However, excessive use (e.g. too high voltage) of machine may also damage the machine, so please note:
● Good ventilation
This cutting machine can create powerful cutting current and has strict cooling requirements that cannot be met with natural ventilation. Therefore the built-in fan is very important in enabling the machine to work stable with effective cooling. The operator should make sure that the louvers be uncovered and unblocked. The minimum distance between the machine and nearby objects should be 30cm.
● Over voltage is forbidden.
This machine is of automatic mains voltage compensation, which ensures that the cutting current varies within the given range. In case that the input mains voltage exceeds the tolerance value, it would possibly damage the machine. The operator should understand this circumstance fully and adopt relevant precautions.
● Overload is forbidden.
Remember to observe the max load current at any moment (refer to the corresponding duty cycle). Make sure that the cutting current should not exceed the maximum load current. Overload could obviously shorten the machine's lifespan, or even damage the machine.
Suddenly the “E61” code may appear on the digital screen while the machine is of over-load status. Under this circumstance, it is unnecessary to restart the machine. Keep the built-in fan working to lower the temperature inside the machine. Cutting can be continued after the inner temperature falls into the standard range and the yellow LED is off.
Replacing the components can be dangerous.
● Only professionals can replace the components of the machine.
● Make sure there are no foreign bodies such as wire leads, screws, gaskets and metal bars falling into the machine inside when replacing the components.
Make sure the connecting wires inside the machine are correctly connected after replacing the PCB, and then the machine can be run. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to property
1.2 Precautions for operation
![]() |
Smoke-may be harmful to your health! ● Keep your head away from the smoke to avoid inhalation of waste gas in cutting. ● Keep the working environment well ventilated with exhaust or ventilation equipment when cutting. |
![]() |
Arc radiation-may hurt your eyes and burn your skin! ● Use proper mask and wear protective clothing to protect your eyes and body. ● Use proper mask or curtain to protect onlooker from being injured. |
![]() |
Magnetic field can make cardiac pacemaker a bit wonky. ● People with cardiac pacemaker should consult the doctor before carrying out cutting. ● Stay away from the power source to reduce the affect of magnetic filed. |
![]() |
Improper use and operation may result in a fire or an explosion. ● Cutting spark may result in a fire, so please make ensure there are no flammables near the cutting position, and pay attention to fire safety. ● Ensure there is fire extinguisher nearby, and make sure someone has been trained to operate the fire extinguisher. ● Do not cut closed container. ● Do not use this machine for pipe thawing. |
![]() |
Hot work piece can cause severe scald. ● Do not touch hot work piece with bare hands. ● Cool the cutting torch for a while after continuously working. |
![]() |
Excessive noise does great harm to people’s hearing. ● Wear ear covers or other hearing protectors when cutting. ● Give warning to onlooker that noise may be potentially hazardous to hearing. |
![]() |
Moving parts may injure your body. ● Please keep away from moving parts (like fan). ● Each door, panel, cover, baffle plate, and protective device the like should be closed and located correctly. |
![]() |
Seek professional support when trouble strikes. ● When trouble strikes in installation and operation, please inspect according to related contents in this manual. ● If you still cannot understand fully, or you still cannot solve the problem, please contact the dealer to obtain professional support. |
1.3 Periodic check
WARNING
Periodic check should be carried out by qualified professionals to ensure safety. The power of the switching box and the cutting machine should be shut down before periodic check to avoid personal injury accidents such as electric shock and burns. Due to the discharge of capacitors, checking should be carried out 5 minutes after the machine is powered off.
Tips:
![]() |
Safety All maintenance and checking should be carry out after the power is completely cut off. Make sure the power plug of the machine is pulled out before uncovering the cutting machine. Check periodically whether the insulating layer of all cables is in good condition. If there is any dilapidation, repackage or replace it. |
![]() |
Beware of static In order to protect the semiconductor components and PCB from the static damage, please wear anti static device or touch the metal part of the enclosure to remove static in advance before contacting the conductors and PCB of the machine internal wiring. |
![]() |
Keep it dry Avoid rain, water and vapor infiltrating the machine. If there is, dry it and check the insulation of the cutting machine (including that between the connections and that between the connection and the enclosure) with an ohmmeter. Only when there are no abnormal phenomena anymore, can the machine be used. Put the machine into the original packing in dry location if it is not to be used for a long time. |
![]() |
Pay attention to maintenance Periodic check should be carried out to ensure the long-term normal use of the machine. Be careful when doing the periodic check, including the inspection and cleaning of the machine interior. Generally, periodic check should be carried out every 6 months, and it should be carried out every 3 months if the cutting environment is dusty or with heavy oily smoke. |
![]() |
Beware of corrosion Please clean the plastic parts with neutral detergent. |
1.4 Precautions for discard
Pay attention to the following when discarding the cutting machine:
● Burning the electrolytic capacitors in the main circuit or on the PCB may cause an explosion.
● Burning the plastic parts such as the front panel may produce poisonous gas.
● Dispose it as industrial waste.
2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
2.1 Functions and characteristics
This is a digital plasma cutting machine with perfect function, high performance and advanced technology. CUT55 is an ultra-portable plasma cutting system suitable for a variety of application requirements. It can be used in handle cutting and robot cutting as well. CUT55 can cut conductive metal, such as low carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum. The cutting thickness can reach up to 3/4'',quality cutting thickness can reach up to 1/2'', perforating thickness can reach up to 1/3''.
The forward-looking design concept of this machine and the application of a large number of advanced and mature technologies can protect user’s investment to the greatest extent.
❖ Advanced digital control mode
Plasma cutting machine CUT55 adopts international leading MCU intelligent digital control technology, and all its major parts are performed through software. It is a digital control plasma cutting machine, improved a lot in its function and performance when compared with the traditional plasma cutting machine.
❖ Advanced inverter technology
With PWM technology and high power component IGBT, it inverts the DC voltage, which is rectified from 50Hz/60Hz input AC voltage, to 30K~100KHz AC high voltage. Then the voltage is dropped and rectified to output the high power DC power supply for cutting. The machine adopts switching power supply inverter technology, greatly reducing the volume and weight of the plasma cutter, and obviously enhancing the conversion efficiency. Switching frequency is beyond audio range, which almost eliminates the noise pollution.
❖ Good consistency and stable performance
Generally speaking, for a cutting machine with analogue circuit control or with analogue circuit & digital circuit control, the performance characteristics are decided by the parameters of various components. Cutting performance of the machines differ as a result of the inconsistent parameters of the components, so even for the cutting machines of the same brand, their parameters often differ from each other. In addition, cutting performance of the machine may change on some extent, since parameters of the components may vary according to the environment such as temperature and humidity, etc.
One of the characteristics of digital control is that it is not sensitive to the change of parameters; the performance of cutting machine will not be affected by the change of the parameters of certain parts. Therefore, the consistency and stability of digital control cutter is better than that of traditional cutter.
❖ Powerful cutting performance
This machine is economic and practical since it can cut metals by adopting compressed air as the plasma gas source. The cutting speed has increased by 1.8 times when compared with oxyacetylene cutting. It can cut thick steel plates such as stainless steel, copper, cast iron and aluminum conveniently and quickly. It is easy to ignite arc by adopting HF arc ignition mode, and post-flow function is available. With simple operation and high cutting speed, smooth cutting surface can be obtained, and polishing is unnecessary.
2.2 System characteristics
Duty cycle
Rated duty cycle refers to the percentage of the normal work time of the machine under rated maximum current holding in the period when taking 10 minutes as a period. The rated duty cycle of this machine is 60%. Using the cutting machine continuously overrunning the rated load may lead to overheating of the machine, and frequently using the machine overrunning the rated load may accelerate the aging of the machine or even burn the machine.

Pic 3 Duty cycle
2.3 Technical parameters
| Items | Models | |
| CUT55 | ||
| Rated input power supply | Single-phase AC240V 50/60Hz | Single-phase AC120V 50/60Hz |
| Rated input capacity (kVA) | 7.4 | 5.5 |
| Power factor | 0.7 | |
| Rated output (A/V) | 45/98 | 35/94 |
| Rated duty cycle (%) | 60 | 60 |
| No-load voltage (V) | 270V | |
| Output current range (A) | 20~35 | 20~25 |
| Arc ignition mode | HF Non-Contact | |
| Post-flow time (s) | 5 | |
| Gas pressure range (Mpa) | 0.3~0.5 | |
| Insulation grade | H | |
| Cooling mode | Air cooling | |
| Enclosure ingress protection | IP21S | |
| Efficiency (%) | 85 | |
| Cutting Thickness |
3/4" maximum severance cut 1/2" ideal clean cut |
|
2.4 Size and weight
| Model | CUT55 |
| Overall size (L*W*H) |
16.4*5.9*9.6 inch |
| Weight (kg) | 19.8lb |
2.5 Composition and configuration
1) Composition

Pic 2 Composition of the cutting machine system
2) Configuration
Configuration of CUT55
| Name | Specification | Quantity (pcs) |
| Cutting machine | CUT55 | 1 |
| Cutting torch | AG-60 (10 ft) | 1 |
| Earth clamp | 200A-0.025 inch2(10 ft) | 1 |
| User Manual | User Manual of CUT55 | 1 |
| Gas hose | 0.31*0.47 inch( 10 ft) | 1 |
| Adapter | 120V/240V Power Adapter | 1 |
| Strap | Shoulder Strap | 1 |
3. INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION
3.1 Installation requirements
1) Connection of input cable
In order to ensure personal safety and avoid electric shock, please send the product power plug the grounding and wiring box grounding device,reliable grounding protection.
A primary power supply cable is available for this cutting machine. Connect the power supply cable to the rated input power. The primary cable should be tightly connected to the correct socket to avoid oxidization. Check whether the voltage value varies in acceptable range with a multi-meter.
The cross section of the leads used in the switching box should meet the requirements of the maximum input capacity of the machine.
2) Connection of output cable
|
Line disconnecting switch Install a line disconnecting switch at each power supply,so that the power supply can be cut off immediately in case of an emergency. The disconnecting value of the switch should be equal to or greater than the continuous rating of the fuse. In addition, the switch should have the following feature: ·The power is cut off when the switch is at “OFF” position. |
Pic 4 |
|
|
Connection of cutting torch Connect the center plug on the cutting torch to the center socket of the power supply, and tighten It clockwise to avoid gas leakage. |
Pic 5 |
|
|
Connection of earth cable Insert the quick plug on the earth cable into the output terminal “+” on the front panel of the machine, and tighten it clockwise. |
Pic 6 |
|
3) Operation of the reducer valve
|
Steps for reducer setting are as follows:
2. lift the pressure control knob upward; 4. rotate to “-” direction to reduce gas pressure); 5. press down the pressure control knob to get the knob locked. The water can be drained automatically for auto-drain function is available for the embedded filter reducer. |
Pic 7Installation of the reducer valve |
4) Installation of the cutting torch
|
- Insert one end of the electrode into the torch head. - Insert the other end of the electrode into the distributor. - Connect the nozzle with the electrode and distributor. - Connect the protective sleeve with the nozzle, screw it into the torch head, and tighten it. |
Pic 8 Installation of cutting torch head |
4. OPERATION
4.1 Panel Functions of CUT55
| Part name | Function | Picture |
| 1.Digital screen | To display the cutting information | ![]() |
| 2.Operation mode button | For 2T/4T cutting mode conversion | |
| 3. Interface for torch trigger | To connect the control signal of cutting torch | |
| 4. “-”Output terminal | To connect the cutting torch | |
| 5.Current control knob | To adjust the output current/post gas value | |
| 6.“+”Output terminal | To connect the earth cable | |
| 7.PILOT-ARC | To connect PILOT-ARC Line | |
| 1.Air reducer valve | To adjust the pressure of the input air | ![]() |
| 2.Cooling fan | For heat dissipation through forced air cooling | |
| 3.Power switch | To control the ON/OFF of the input power of the machine | |
| 4.Cable | For power supply input |
4.2 Operation method
1) Turn on the power switch of the machine, and the power indicator illuminates.
2) Select proper working mode and proper function. There are two working modes available on the machine panel: 2T and 4T.
3) Push the torch trigger on the cutting torch, the cutting machine works.
4) Set cutting current according to the thickness of work piece.
5) Bring the copper nozzle of the cutting torch into contact with the work piece (For models with pilot arc function, keep a distance of about 0.08 inch between the copper nozzle of the torch and the work piece.), and then push the torch trigger. After the arc is ignited and started, raise the cutting torch to the position about 0.04 inch above the work piece, and start cutting.
4.3 Notes for cutting operation
![]() |
It is recommended not to ignite the arc in the air if not necessary, for it will shorten the lifespan of the electrode and nozzle of the torch. |
![]() |
It is recommended to initiate the cutting from the edge of work piece, unless penetration is needed. |
![]() |
Ensure spatters fly from the bottom of work piece while cutting. If spatters fly from the top of work piece, it indicates that the work piece can not be fully cut because the cutting torch is moved too fast or the cutting current is too low. |
![]() |
Keep the nozzle slightly touching the work piece or keep a short distance between the nozzle and work piece. If the torch is pressed against the work piece, the nozzle may stick to the work piece, and smooth cutting is unavailable. |
![]() |
For cutting round work piece or to meet precise cutting requirement, molding board or other assistant tools are needed. |
![]() |
It is recommended to pull the cutting torch while cutting. |
![]() |
Keep the nozzle of cutting torch upright over the work piece, and check if the arc is moving with the cutting line. If the space is not enough, don’t bend the cable too much, step on or press upon the cable to avoid suffocating of gas flow. The cutting torch may be burned because the gas flow is too small. Keep the cutting cable away from edge tools. |
![]() |
Clean up the spatters on the nozzle timely, for it will affect the cooling effect of the nozzle. Clean up the dust and spatters on the torch head after using everyday to ensure good cooling effect. |
● The work piece is not cut fully. This may be caused by:
1) The cutting current is too low.
2) The cutting speed is too high.
3) The electrode and nozzle of the torch are burned.
4) The work piece is too thick.
● Molten slag drops from the bottom of workpiece. This may be caused by:
1) The cutting speed is too low.
2) The electrode and nozzle of the torch are burned.
3) The cutting current is too high.
4.4 Cutting parameters table
Select proper current according to the cutting parameters table, workpiece material, cutting thickness and cutting speed, etc. (The figure in the below table is an approximation.)
Cutting speed (inch/min) when cutting current is 45A

4.5 Replacement of electrode and nozzle
When the phenomena below occur, the electrode and nozzle should be replaced. Otherwise, there will be strong arc in the nozzle, which will break down the electrode and the nozzle, or even burn the torch. Nozzles of different models are different, so ensure the nozzle is of the same model when replacing it.
1) Electrode wear>0.06inch
2) Distortion of the nozzle
3) Cutting speed declining, arc with green flame
4) Difficult in arc ignition
5) Irregular cut
5. MAINTENANCE
5.1 Daily maintenance
WARNING
The power of the switching box and the cutting machine should be shut down before daily checking (except appearance checking without contacting the conductive body) to avoid personal injury accidents such as electric shock and burns.
Tips:
1) Daily checking is very important in keeping the high performance and safe operation of this cutting machine.
2) Do daily checking according to the table below, and clean or replace components when necessary.
3) In order to ensure the high performance of the machine, please choose components provided or recommended by dealer when replacing components.
4)
Daily checking of the cutting machine
| Items | Checking requirements | Remarks |
| Front panel |
Whether any of the components are damaged or loosely connected; Whether the output quick sockets are tightened; Whether the abnormality indicator illuminates. |
If unqualified, check the interior of the machine, and tighten or replace the components. |
| Back panel |
Whether the input power cable and buckle are in good condition; Whether the air intake is unobstructed. |
|
| Cover | Whether the bolts are loosely connected. | If unqualified, tighten or replace the components. |
| Side plates | Whether the side plate is loosely fixed. | |
| Chassis | Whether the screws are loosely connected. | |
| Routine |
Whether the machine enclosure has color fading or overheating problems; Whether the fan sounds normal when the machine is running; Whether there is abnormal smell, abnormal vibration or noise when the machine is running. |
If abnormal, check the interior of the machine. |
Daily checking of the cables
| Items | Checking requirements | Remarks |
| Earth cable | Whether the grounding wires (including work piece GND wire and cutting machine GND wire) break off. | If unqualified, tighten or replace the components. |
| Cutting cable |
Whether the insulating layer of the cable is worn, or the conductive part of the cable is exposed; Whether the cable is drawn by an external force; Whether the cable connected to the work piece is well connected. |
Use appropriate methods according to the work site situation to ensure safety and normal cutting. |
6. TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshooting
The abnormality indicator on the front panel would illuminate in case of any failures inside the cutting machine.
| Malfunction phenomena |
Cause and solution |
| Turn on the machine, the LED screen illuminates, the control PCB keys do not function, and there is no response when pushing the torch trigger. | The cutting machine crashes: Shut down the machine, and restart it. |
| the LED Display E-1 or E-2 |
1) E-1 overheat protection: machine is under overheat protection and stops working until E60 disappears 2) E-2 over-current protection:internal components are damaged, please contact dealer for help |
| Turn on the machine, the LED screen illuminates, and the fan works. When pushing the torch trigger, the solenoid valve functions, but there is no HF discharge rustling. |
The arc ignition part fails: 1) The inter electrode distance of the discharge nozzle is too long. 2) There is leakage of the HF capacitor 222/10KV. 3) The marmoset or the tocopherol on the HF board is damaged. 4) The input voltage is too low. |
| Arc can not be ignited. | The air pressure is overly high or overly low. |