XPR300™ Firmware and Cut chart update

To improve the XPR300’s ability to detect and react to impending ramp down errors, thereby extending mild steel cutting consumable life, we sped up the action of the plasma gas control valve located

in the receptacle.

We found, however, that in some instances limited to the 130 amp oxygen process, the increased rate of pressure drop caused by this change in the valve speed can create double arcing in the nozzle, which can greatly reduce nozzle life.  In order to counteract this, we have created a new waveform that eliminates this possibility and released in Rev. F firmware on September 8.

While we have only seen a few instances of this occurring in the field, we believe that there is a likelihood that this frequency rate will increase unless the new firmware is downloaded into the main control board, the Torch Connect Console board, and the Wi-Fi firmware on the main control board.  Some additional changes will be included in the up revved firmware, as well:

• Corrects the temperature value scaling when reported over EtherCAT
• The Wi-Fi tool highlight the gas lines that are actively flowing gas
• Detects a missing Chopper 2 and continues to identify the system as XPR300
• Renames “Chopper” fans to “Control Side” fans on Wi-Fi tool
• Wi-Fi tool now retains Operate menu filter settings when switching between pages
• IP address in access point (AP) mode can now be customized
• Adds serial command to read system fault class
• Adds serial command to read minor revisions
• Adds serial command to read operator controlling source

Rev. F XPR firmware for the control board and Torch Connect Console board can be downloaded from Xnet starting on September 8.  Files are located in the Software folder, Firmware sub-folder.  An Field Service Bulletin providing installation instructions is attached.

OEMs and end users can check their XPR system Wi-Fi tool to determine which firmware rev. is in their XPR (see illustration below).  Rev. E should be upgraded to Rev. F on the control and Torch Connect Console boards. Those up revved properly will show Rev. F on the Main Control and Torch Connect boards, while Gas Connect and Choppers 1&2 will remain at Rev.E. This is illustrated below.

Cut chart update

We have found that there are a few speed errors in the latest (Rev. J) version of the cut chart database relating to the 60 amp F5/N2 process for stainless steel cutting.  The chart below shows the thicknesses involved the incorrect speeds and the corrected speed values:

In addition, we have found a few speed errors relating to the 60 amp F5/N2 stainless steel process in the current (Rev. J) version of the cut chart database. We will release a new Rev. K version on September 14 which is also included in the next revision of Phoenix (10.5).

These corrected values as well as a few other minor corrections will be published in the 10.5 release of Phoenix (to release on September 29) and the 10.5, Rev K versions of the ProNest machine configuration.  In the meantime, we expect to have the revised cut chart database available on September 14 for distribution.