Content tagged with "plasma"
Results: 35
Spanish
July 21, 2009
Entendiendo las tecnologías de corte de metal
Nota del editor: este artículo fue desarrollado a partir de un Panel de Corte Comparativo llevado a cabo en la conferencia Metal Matters de la Fabricators & Manufacturers Association en Orlando, Fla., marzo 2008.
Es la pregunta escuchada en el mundo de la fabricación en metal.... Read more...
Article
June 29, 2009
Venting on the subject of clean shop air
For a ventilation system connected to a thermal cutting machine to function properly, it is best that the equipment is placed away from open shop doors and standing fans. A moderate breeze can overpower the ventilation effort very quickly. However, another reality is that today's fabricating... Read more...
Article
February 10, 2009
New dimension, familiar direction
H.W. Metals processes high-strength steel for many different applications, including transportation equipment manufacturing. H.W. Metals, Tualatin, Ore., processes high-strength steel for transportation equipment manufacturers and other applications. The company began operating in 1979 as... Read more...
Article
January 27, 2009
Don't rule out plasma for cutting aluminum
Plasma cutting isn't new. But like any technology, it has its share of new developments. In any discussion about how to cut metal, it's right up there with laser and waterjet. The technology gets a bad rap, though, when the discussion turns to cutting aluminum.
Plasma cutting has been... Read more...
Article
January 13, 2009
Article
July 15, 2008
Making sense of metal cutting technologies
It's the question heard 'round the metal fabricating world: What metal cutting technology makes the most sense?
Unfortunately, the answer to the question cannot be covered in one simple statement. The answer depends on the metal being cut, the metal thickness, how the customer defines a... Read more...
Article
June 17, 2008
One nesting software for all
Nests such as this are now possible for Maurer Manufacturing with ProNest software from MTC Software. The trailer fabricator uses the program to nest parts for both its Alltra plasma cutting table and Cincinnati laser cutting machine. "All for one, and one nesting software for all." That's... Read more...
Article
May 13, 2008
Fabrication business coming up races
Click on images to view larger. The 2008 Mazworx entry into National Hot Rod Association Sport Compact Drag Racing Series events was fabricated from the ground up. Mark Mazurowski is armed with his main tools during a business day: the cordless phone and a cup of 7-Eleven coffee. The phone... Read more...
Article
May 13, 2008
Plasma delivers precision for top seat manufacturer
Kyle Ashleman programs ButlerBuilt's plasma table to cut aluminum parts. Brian Butler has a deep-seated desire to excel in his business. Butler, a former race car fabricator for Darrell Waltrip and other race teams, got his start in 1980 when a new stock car driver came to him for a... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Service center fabricates its future
These are interesting times in which metal service centers find themselves. Many are finding that they have to offer some level of fabricating services to help them stand out among other metal distributors. They have seen dramatic consolidation on the mill side and are wondering if the mills... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Plasma cutting primer
More than 50 years of effort have made plasma cutting an economically competitive choice for today's metal fabricators. Becoming knowledgeable about what you need from the process, as well as familiarizing yourself with cutting techniques and basic preventive practices, will help you get the... Read more...
Spanish
October 9, 2007
Mejorando la Calidad del Corte Manual por Plasma
Figura 1
Un secador y un filtro de aire ayudan a mantener la calidad del aire requerida para cortes óptimos.
El corte por plasma es fácil de aprender, y los cortadores son simples de usar. De hecho, es tan fácil que muchos usuarios se ponen a trabajar inmediatamente tan pronto... Read more...
Article
September 11, 2007
Improvements to CNC plasma technology
A plasma cutting table is a workhorse in most fab shops. The technology has seen great improvements over the years, and it's worthwhile to take a look at its evolution. Not coincidentally, plasma technology's growth has coincided with technology improvements starting with the CNC. Computer... Read more...
Article
June 12, 2007
Attention, all plasma table shoppers
The process of choosing a CNC plasma cutting system is much more difficult today than it was 10 years ago, when systems were fewer but more expensive. By 2000 several progressive manufacturers had developed low-cost CNC plasma cutting systems that could run off of a PC. Hardware and software... Read more...
Article
March 13, 2007
Improving manual plasma cutting quality
If you're maintaining the proper travel speed, the sparks will exit the workpiece at a 15- to 20-degree angle.
Plasma cutting is easy to learn, and cutters are simple to use. In fact, it's so easy that many users go right to work as soon as they remove the unit from its packaging.... Read more...
Article
March 13, 2007
The ABCs of PAC
Photos courtesy of Hypertherm Inc. Precision plasma technology provides many operational benefits, in-cluding control of cut surface quality, minimal distortion, and precise control of the significant taper on the cut surface (see Figure 1 ). Several considerations should be taken into... Read more...
Article
December 12, 2006
Can your manufacturing software do this?
Software has changed the nature of fabricating. Most fabricating shops hammer out the manufacturing details of a job on their own computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software packages immediately upon receipt of the customer's engineering drawings. Some of the more aggressive fabricating shops... Read more...
Article
January 11, 2005
Optimize your plasma performance
This ensures a high concentration of heat to a small area. The shielding gas enters the arc zone and channels the plasma to the workpiece in a precise column. Because of the advanced level of arc control and accuracy, PAW is suitable for use in precision welding applications. The weld... Read more...
Article
October 12, 2004
Optimizing consumable life in mechanized plasma cutting
Manufacturers of mechanized plasma cutting systems are focused on developing new technologies to meet three key market needs: Improved cut quality and consistency Increased cutting speeds and material thickness capabilities Increased consumable life Together, these three focus... Read more...
Article
June 8, 2004
Gouging: The other plasma process
Plasma arc gouging may not be as well-known or widely used as plasma arc cutting, but the two processes share many characteristics: ease of use, cut speed and quality, cost of operation, and versatility. Let's compare the plasma gouging and cutting processes and take a look at... Read more...
Article
September 25, 2003
Roll formers look for a win
Many systems enable users to download a DXF drawing directly into the roll forming line's computer. Not everyone can be the New York Yankees, or even the roll forming version—especially in today's economic climate. It would be nice, though. The Bronx Bombers have used a fat wallet... Read more...
Article
August 28, 2003
Making plasma cutting easier
For 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,... Read more...
Article
July 24, 2003
Using inverter technology
Those familiar with inverters usually know they offer size, weight, and portability advantages. They also can improve reliability by overcoming primary power fluctuations, also known as dirty power. Question: Does the weight of the plasma cutter matter? Answer: Yes, because labor... Read more...
Article
June 26, 2003
Making hands-free straight, saddle, and miter cuts
Since its inception in 1969, the company had used traditional, manual processes. Pipes were moved into and out of the work area by forklift, and pipe cutting was done with either a hand-powered mechanized torch or a hand-held torch. For straight end cuts, an operator attached a... Read more...
Article
March 13, 2003
Mechanized plasma cutting for HVAC applications
Today many HVAC shops use plasma cutters—both hand-held torches and CNC mechanized systems—to cut material for fabrication. These fabricators find that for their applications, plasma is a fast, clean, economical way for them to cut light-gauge metal. This overview of... Read more...
Article
August 29, 2002
Cut it out: How fabricators use plasma cutters every day
Many fabricators use plasma arc cutting torches every day, either to replace or complement saws, cut-off wheels, snips, and oxyfuel rigs. Fabricators say the use of this equipment has grown because it can be used in a variety of applications, from installing heating, ventilation, air... Read more...
Article
July 25, 2002
Estimating your cutting costs
The recent recession has created a new standard for many fabricators: When capacity exceeds work, the reality is that cost does matter—more than ever before. Many fabricators bid on jobs simply to fulfill short-term needs: to keep personnel employed and machinery running so they... Read more...
Article
June 13, 2002
Exploring dry cutting technologies
Plasma arc cutting (PAC) technology has come a long way since its commercial introduction to metal fabrication 40 years ago. Advances in PAC torches and power supplies have led to improvements in the edge quality of plasma-cut aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steels. Today's plasma... Read more...
Article
September 4, 2001
Exploring complementary cutting methods
Diversification is the linchpin of running a successful business. The key to producing quality work and investing in equipment wisely is knowing which cutting method—laser, plasma, electrical discharge machining, waterjet, or another—to use for a particular application. While... Read more...
Article
July 26, 2001
Article
July 12, 2001
Plasma cutting stainless steel and aluminum
Figure 1
The plasma cutting process may be used to cut any conductive material, including carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum, copper, brass, cast metals, and exotic alloys. Each of these materials behaves differently when subjected to the intense heating and cooling of the... Read more...
Article
May 30, 2001
Using a hand-held plasma cutter
Fabricators, contractors, maintenance personnel, artists, and do-it-yourselfers who experience a hand-held air plasma arc cutting machine rarely want to return to oxyacetylene cutting or mechanical cutting processes such as saws, cutoff wheels, shears, and snips. Plasma cutting can improve... Read more...
Article
May 30, 2001
Article
February 19, 2001
Article
February 19, 2001
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