Loss of cut partially through program.

[Ribbedgiraffe]

Good evening guys and gals, hoping someone can help me.
I'm currently running a home built 4x8 table, with Mach 3, gecko 540 and a powermax 45 with machine torch. I've got a new surprise of an issue.
I've been cutting with the table for a few days, home stuff, non production. I started cutting a set of rock rings for my wheels out of 1/4" steel and cut 3 of the 5 without issue, on the 4th ring 3/4 of the way through the program, it started to gouge, and not cut. Now after installing new tips etc, I still cannot get a complete ring, I'm having a lot of intermittent spots without pass through. My speeds are slow, only about 40" a min, the hypertherm is maxed out, and my air pressure lights are dead center. I attempted to cut the ring out of 1/8" steel and it kicked the 50 amp breaker 3/4 the way through the program. thoughts? All settings are by the book, except speeds which seem slow..

[sphurley]

I would look at the PM45 for faults and be on the phone with Hypertherm tech support.
Do you have a hand torch you could do some manual cuts with?

[Ribbedgiraffe]

I do not have a hand torch for the unit - I purchased it specifically for the table. Ill give them a call today.