Making plasma cutting easier: Using CNC automation technologyFor many people, the world of plasma cutting is a complex and daunting place, with a cryptic set of rules that can be mastered only by highly trained technicians after weeks of training. For every change of material or thickness being cut, a long process ensues of resetting gas mixtures, tweaking pierce heights and pierce delays, and manually calibrating every last parameter to ensure a reliable result.
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Attention, all plasma table shoppers: Everything you need to know before you purchase a CNC plasma cutting machineCNC plasma cutting machines are more affordable and easier to operate than ever before. By knowing the right kind of hardware and software makes sense, a fabricator can choose the equipment that makes the most sense for his operation.
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Improvements to CNC plasma technology: The evolution continues with sensor and software advancesContinued improvements to CNC plasma cutting technology have made these units much more adaptable and user friendly. They have also helped improve consistency and cut quality.
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Waterjet makes it into the mainstream: Once a novelty, abrasive waterjet cutting has evolved to become standard equipment for the fab shopAdvancements in the control and equipment components, each working in concert, have pushed the technology from a relative novelty to the mainstream.
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El chorro de agua la hace en grande: Siendo alguna vez una novedad, el corte por chorro de agua abrasivoAdvancements in the control and equipment components, eachworking in concert, have pushed the technology from a relativenovelty to the mainstream.
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Counting on the combo: Revolving door-maker adds flexibility with waterjet/plasma combination machineRevolving door manufacturer brings fabrication in-house, including a combination waterjet-plasma machine.
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Know when to fold 'em: Characteristics and capabilities of folding technologyFolding machines aren't the fastest machines for bending sheet metal, but for low- to medium-volume production, they can provide an efficient bending process. Because the equipment operator does not support the weight of the material during the bending cycle, folding machines are well suited to large, bulky parts. Also, part quality is not dependent on an operator's skill.
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Getting it there yesterday: Greenheck Fan cuts lead-time to, in some cases, mere hoursGreenheck has made a science out of quick lead-times. For most products, customers can place an order and receive a custom fabrication within three to five days, and sometimes in less than 24 hours.
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Designing tooling economically: Cutting costs in four areasWith the tooling trade in its current challenging economic situation, some tool companies are being forced out of business, losing money, or entering into highly competitive markets.
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CPR for your old CNC bender: Before you junk it, try rebuildingIn the 1980s, when CNC machinery evolved, tube fabricators made the transition from manually forming each part to allowing a machine to form the parts unassisted. Now in the age of Windows®-based computers and brushless electric servo drives, these machines can seem like relics. But don't take them to the scrap heap just yet.
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From the CAD station to the production floor: Modern programming methods for modern tube bending machinesConventional tube bending data, regardless of format, is entered manually and therefore susceptible to errors. A modern approach involves using a CAD system to generate a STEP file, which the CAD program exports directly to the bending machine. This method is fast and eliminates errors. The drawback is that such a system requires additional database management efforts.
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Serpentine bending in production: Making 180-degree bends quickly, efficientlyBending serpentine profiles—successive 180-degree bends, which typically are used in refrigeration systems—can be a challenge. By their nature, they tend to cause interference among the various bend dies, and they can be difficult to handle. Good planning in selecting a bender, planning the process, and paying close attention to infeed and outfeed options, can help make a serpentine project successful.
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Shaping profits with a mandrel extractor: The basics of mandrel extractors and their applicationsArray
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Racing against the clock: Contract manufacturer measures success one second at a timePrince Industries Inc., a contract manufacturer of CNC machined components, branched out into CNC fabricated components several years ago when it purchased two turret punch presses, a plasma machine, and a laser with manual loading and unloading. These machines were quickly overburdened with the growing workload, so the company sought a more modern laser with automated material handling.
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The many faces of plasma cuttingManual and mechanized plasma cutting systems serve different purposes and require different equipment to perform well. It is up to the user to decide which system is best-suited for the application. This article provides a detailed introduction to both systems, their capabilities, and which applications they are tailored for.
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Selecting a new press brakeProspective buyers of press brakes are advised to consider their purchase in terms of its end use, the amount of deflection likely to occur in a give machine, the inside radius of their parts, and several other factors before speding their money.
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Pumping up productivity on older press brakes: Increasing productivity with advanced tooling, clamping, crowning systemsYou may be able to improve press brake productivity and eliminate bottlenecks with more advanced tooling, anti-deflection [crowning] systems, and clamping systems. Such advancements have made it possible to form a larger range of materials and part configurations with fewer tools than before.
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Laser system saves damaged military parts from the scrap heap: Process limits heat-affected zone to repair delicate componentsAt military installations across the country, repair personnel struggle to stretch the life spans of vital pieces of equipment. Sometimes welding can extend the life of damaged components in aircraft, tanks, and other military vehicles. But in some cases, high–temperature welding processes do more harm than good, warping and weakening delicate metal components. Previously such components would be classified as irreparable and replaced with pricey new parts.
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