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Articles tagged with "plasma"
Results: 35
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Cut it out: How fabricators use plasma cutters every dayMany fabricators use plasma arc cutting torches every day, either to replace or complement saws, cut-off wheels, snips, and oxyfuel rigs. It can be used in a variety of applications—installing or remvoving HVAC/R equipment, plumbing systems, and industrial equipment; reparing equpment and systems; and cutting shapes consistently.
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Using a hand-held plasma cutter: Exploring techniques for cutting, gouging, & maintenanceNeed to learn some techniques for cutting, piercing, and gouging with a hand-held plasma cutter? Read on for six steps to follow when cutting; information about gouging; and tips on maintenance.
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Plasma cutting stainless steel and aluminum: Investigating thermal and chemical changes in the heat-affected zoneThis study conducted at Hypertherm characterizes thermal and chemical changes in plasma-cut stainless steel and aluminum alloys and recommends process alternatives that may improve aesthetics and cut quality to improve forming and fabricating of the materials. The systems used were water-injection PAC, conventional dual-gas PAC, and high-precision PAC. It was learned that the heat-affected zone (HAZ) is small in plasma-cut pieces, HAZ varies with speed and power, faster cutting produces less HAZ, and more heat per square inch can produce less HAZ.
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Estimating your cutting costs: Cost of ownership model compares precision plasma, punch-plasma, laserIn comparing cutting costs associated with precision plasma, punch-plasma, and laser cutting, it's important to account for labor costs, operating costs, and depreciation. All three of these processes have benefits and drawbacks cost-wise, depending on how they're deployed.
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Exploring dry cutting technologies: New capabilities for high-power dryThe evolution of high power dry plasma technology and other cutting methods, such as conventional dual gas PAC, water injection PAC, high precision PAC, and laser for metal fabrication. Variables such as, process speed, cut quality, productivity, and cost per foot are discussed in detail.
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Mechanized plasma cutting for HVAC applications: How equipment has progressed and what it offers today's fabricatorsJust 20 years ago most heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork was cut by hand with snips and shears. Cutting out HVAC fittings was slow and labor-intensive. It took an experienced tinsmith with strong hands to slice through galvanized steel all day. It took even more skill to get the cuts and bends just right to coax flat panels of sheet metal into precise 3-D forms.
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How to avoid the top 10 problems in plasma cutting: Practical tips you can use right nowAttention to detail at the outset can save plasma cutting operators a load of trouble during production.
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What to know before selecting a manual plasma cutter: Understanding size, power, components, costThe first plasma arc cutting (PAC) systems, developed in the '60s, were 1,000-amp monsters designed to blast through 6-inch stainless steel.
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Using plasma arc cutting to clean-cut stainless steel sheet and plate: Variables to considerTo clean-cut stainless steel sheet and plate, fabricators first must choose the right CNC cutting equipment and then set the correct process-related variables. Precise machine motion controls, torch-to-material distance control, and the correct plasma and assist gases all are crucial to producing weld-ready plasma-cut edges on all stainless steel thicknesses.
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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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Gouging: The other plasma process: Defining the basicsPlasma gouging, although not necessarily as well-known as plasma cutting, is one of four methods of gouging that can be used for a variety of industrial applications. Different techniques bring about different results, depending on the application.
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Optimizing consumable life in mechanized plasma cutting: Identifying and correcting typical problemsIf you don't stay on top of torch maintenance and replacing consumables, an efficient cutting process can quickly become a lot more expensive to operate.
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The ABCs of PAC: Understand all aspects of the process to ensure better performancePlasma arc cutting systems come in many capabilities. Knowing what those capabilities are and which ones you need for your operation is crucial when choosing a system.
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Improving manual plasma cutting quality: Get more life; fast, clean cutsSome tips and suggestions for best practices that will increase your efficiency and precision and prolong the life of your plasma cutter and consumables include: Take the time to read the manual thoroughly; develop a "preflight routine" visually follow the arc that is coming from the bottom of the cut—the arc should exit the material at a 15- to 20-degree angle opposite the direction of travel; and maintain a 1/16- to 1/8-inch distance between the tip and the workpiece.
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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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Mejorando la Calidad del Corte Manual por Plasma: Obtenga más vida; cortes rápidos y limpiosSiga estos consejos y sugerencias para mejores prcticas en el corte por plasma, y vea los resultados: mayor eficiencia y precisin y una vida ms larga del cortador por plasma y de los consumibles.
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Service center fabricates its future: Independent company does more than simply distribute metal to thriveDenman & Davis calls itself the largest general-line, independent service center in the Northeast. The company has about 65,000 square feet of inventory and manufacturing space in Clifton, N.J., another 70,000 square feet in Slatersville, R.I., and another 35,000 in Albany, N.Y. The company distributes a variety of hot-rolled and cold-finished bars, structural shapes, sheets, and tubing, but has discovered a fruitful niche with plate, used in pressure vessel, power generation, and processing applications.
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Plasma cutting primer: How it works and it to make it work for youPlasma cutting is a widely used process in the welding industry that provides both speed and precision, but it doesn't happen by accident. Being knowledgeable about your cutting applications, and familiarizing yourself with cutting techniques, maintenance, and safety features, will allow for a productive plasma experience.
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Plasma delivers precision for top seat manufacturer: ButlerBuilt Motorsports also finds speed off the asphaltButlerBuilt, a leading manufacturer of motorsports seating located in Harrisburg, N.C., finds a new plasma cutting system to be a much better improvement over the 15-year-old plasma table it dumped in early 2007.
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Don't rule out plasma for cutting aluminum: Clearing up the misconceptionsIn any discussion about how to cut metal, plasma cutting is right up there with laser and waterjet. The technology gets a bad rap, though, when the discussion turns to cutting aluminum. There are five preconceptions that many fabricators have about turning to plasma to cut aluminum. But according to three experts, new plasma cutting systems produce good results on aluminum.
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Making hands-free straight, saddle, and miter cutsRovanco Piping Systems Inc. designs and fabricates piping systems for applications such as water (hot and cold), steam, and jet fuel. It sells fabricated pipe—typically with straight or miter end cuts—up to 36 inches in diameter. It provides preinsulated, high-temperature, low-temperature, and containment systems.
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Exploring complementary cutting methods: Comparing capabilities of laser, plasma, EDM to waterjet technologyThe various cutting methods available to fabrication shops today can be both a little daunting and very beneficial. Choice is good--learn how to make the most of the diversity all your choices offer to you.
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Roll formers look for a win: Industry players hope to score with customization, better technology |
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Venting on the subject of clean shop air: If your company plasma or laser cuts, take a long, hard look at its ventilation practicesA shop owner should want the best ventilating technology for its thermal cutting operations. It keeps employees safe and protects the company from potential liability situations. With that in mind, the feature poses five questions that every shop should ask itself about its ventilating efforts as it regards thermal cutting operations.
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Fabrication business coming up races: Mazworx hopes to build its profile through sport compact racingMazworx, a shop that rebuilds engines for racing, fabricates custom parts for racing upgrades, and works on compact cars to prepare them for racing, is also involved in racing. The belief is that it can build up its reputation for racing parts through appearances at NHRA sport compact races throughout the Southeast.
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EuroBLECH 2008: A celebration of metal fabricating and forming: A visit to Hannover, Germany, for the world's largest sheet metal manufacturing exhibition reveals a European taste for automation and efficiencyEuroBLECH is a celebration more than anything. Most of the booths have plenty of tables and, usually, a bar for customers, distributors, business partners, and friends to swing by, chat, have a drink, and talk about life both in and out of the industry. In fact, unlike shows in North America, a visitor will find materials suppliers—the folks that make the metal sheet, plate, and tube—among the exhibitors. Everyone comes together for this global event.
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Advantages of plasma welding: Often-overlooked PAW offers speed and affordabilityPlasma arc welding sometimes offers greater welding speed than gas tungsten arc welding at lower cost than laser beam welding.
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Using inverter technology: FAQs about inverter-based plasma cuttersBusinesses feel a constant pressure to gain an advantage and control their processes better. However, the decision to embrace new technology often leaves them feeling vulnerable. In the realm of hand-held metal cutting operations, one such decision is choosing between traditional technology and an inverter-based plasma cutting system.
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Optimize your plasma performance: 10 steps to proper torch setup, maintenancePlasma arc welding (PAW) uses plasma, a gas that has been heated to a high temperature and ionized. The plasma becomes electrically conductive, transferring an electric arc to the workpiece through a small orifice.
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Can your manufacturing software do this?: Questions you should be asking about your softwareManufacturing software has come a long way in just the last five years. Independent software developers point out some of the advancements in manufacturing software in the hopes that some fabricators realize they may be missing out on some real production-optimization tools.
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One nesting software for all: Maurer Manufacturing now uses one software package for its plasma and laser cutting machinesMaurer Manufacturing, Spencer, Iowa, purchased a new plasma cutting table in late 2006 and decided it wanted one nesting program to run both the new plasma table and its slightly older Cincinnati laser cutting machine. After a slight stumble, the company found the solution it needed with MTC Software's ProNest program.
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Making sense of metal cutting technologies: Oxyfuel, plasma, laser, waterjet-all have their place in today's shopThis article was developed from the Comparative Cutting Panel conducted at the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association's Metal Matters conference in Orlando, Fla., March 2008.
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New dimension, familiar direction: H.W. Metals invests in a laser cutter for jobs where plasma doesn’t cut itH.W. Metals offers punching, shearing, arc welding, machining, oxyfuel cutting, and standard and high-definition plasma cutting. The company found that there was more and more work it couldn't do for its customers because some jobs required laser-cut parts. The company decided to purchase a laser to expand capabilities in its current markets by offering an alternative to plasma cutting. In October, the company installed a Prima Maximo laser cutting system, which will allow the company to provide more capabilities to existing customers.
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Entendiendo las tecnologias de corte de metal: Oxicombustible, plasma, laser, chorro de agua-todos tienen su lugar |
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