Until now, I have been using the aquarium pump that came with my 80W CO2 for my air assist. It's been ok-ish but the air flow has always seemed week and I've never really been happy with the smoke/residue trail left along the kerf. So I setup a direct connection to my shop compressor, including a lever ball valve to control flow. Now I get plenty of air. So... on my very first cut session following setting up this new improved air stream, the 3/8 acrylic I was cutting caught fire and melted my drive belt. I've been cutting the same 3/8 acrylic for over a year and never had a flair up. So naturally I'm feeling like all that extra air was a contributing factor. Needless to say, I only want to replace that dive belt one time so I'm asking for help. Is it possible/likely that extra air flow "fanned the flames"? If so, would more or less air correct the problem? Is there some pre-treatment of the I need to do? I have read that I should install an air dryer in-line, which I will do, but can moist air cause this sort of thing? I thought that the air dryer was just meant to protect the lens from accumulating moisture.
That for the help!