Good Methods for Stainless Steel Plasma Cutting - 0 views

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  #1 Chuck Fowler on 27 Apr 12

   

  When you consider that a typical 8'x12' cutting table holds approximately 1,500 gallons of water, or a typical 10'x20' cutting table holds approximately 3,000 gallons of water, the water disposal costs can add up quickly.
  
  An air down-draft system will require periodic emptying of particulate from the dust collection system, removal of slag/dross from the cutting table (slag pans can be added to make this process even easier), and occasional replacement of filters. There are no special waste disposal costs associated with this regular maintenance, and machine down-time is also typically less.
  
  OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES: There are a number of factors to consider from an operational side when comparing water tables and air down-draft tables. These factors include the size and type of parts you are cutting, plasma performance, and cut quality.
  
  The size and types of parts you are cutting may be a determining factor in this decision making process. Companies that cut many small parts that would have a tendency to fall through the slats and into the table should strongly consider an air down-draft system. This will allow your operators to quickly retrieve parts from inside the table, reducing the need to "fish around" for parts in murky water, and minimize "lost" parts. If you are cutting very long parts where straightness is an issue, a water table may be better suited for your application. By partially submersing or "floating" the plate you are cutting, the cooling effect of the water will help stabilize the temperature of the plate and minimize camber and/or warping.
  
  For many years, the major plasma manufacturers have discouraged cutting over water. They claimed that cutting over water reduces their plasma capacity by as much as 20%, and reduced cut quality. In our customers' experience, setting the water level just below the level of the plate or partially submerging the plate does not have a noticeable impact on performance, cut quality, or consumable life. Cutting with the plate under water can cause problems with consumable life as the cutting torches are not designed to be submerged and coolant coming into contact with the electrodes can cause them to fail prematurely and possibly clog the air/gas nozzles creating problems with cut quality.
  
  Cut quality between parts produced over either type of table has been fairly comparable. The biggest difference is that more dross adheres to the back of parts cut over a water table because the dross cools faster and sticks to the part as opposed to being blown down into the table. The "dross-free" rating by the plasma manufacturers is reduced when cutting over water. This dross/slag is not difficult to remove, but does add time/labor to the processing of parts.
  
  SUMMARY: In order to select the best table for your application, it is important to take all of these factors into consideration. Spending the time to evaluate your processes and long-term costs now, will assure that you select the best, most cost effective solution to your particular application for now as well as for the future. Your plasma cutting system manufacturer can help you evaluate all of these factors and assist you in the decision making process.
  
  Which Cutting Table is Right for Your CNC Plasma Cutting Application?
  
  Good Methods for Stainless Steel Plasma CuttingPlasma cutters cut metal using a plasma torch.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">When you consider that a typical 8'x12' cutting table holds approximately 1,500 gallons of water, or a typical 10'x20' cutting table holds approximately 3,000 gallons of water, the water disposal costs can add up quickly.<br /><br />An air down-draft system will require periodic emptying of particulate from the dust collection system, removal of slag/dross from the cutting table (slag pans can be added to make this process even easier), and occasional replacement of filters. There are no special waste disposal costs associated with this regular maintenance, and machine down-time is also typically less.<br /><br /><strong><u>OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES:</u></strong> There are a number of factors to consider from an operational side when comparing water tables and air down-draft tables. These factors include the size and type of parts you are cutting, plasma performance, and cut quality.<br /><br />The size and types of parts you are cutting may be a determining factor in this decision making process. Companies that cut many small parts that would have a tendency to fall through the slats and into the table should strongly consider an air down-draft system. This will allow your operators to quickly retrieve parts from inside the table, reducing the need to "fish around" for parts in murky water, and minimize "lost" parts. If you are cutting very long parts where straightness is an issue, a water table may be better suited for your application. By partially submersing or "floating" the plate you are cutting, the cooling effect of the water will help stabilize the temperature of the plate and minimize camber and/or warping.<br /><br />For many years, the major plasma manufacturers have discouraged cutting over water. They claimed that cutting over water reduces their plasma capacity by as much as 20%, and reduced cut quality. In our customers' experience, setting the water level just below the level of the plate or partially submerging the plate does not have a noticeable impact on performance, cut quality, or consumable life. Cutting with the plate under water can cause problems with consumable life as the cutting torches are not designed to be submerged and coolant coming into contact with the electrodes can cause them to fail prematurely and possibly clog the air/gas nozzles creating problems with cut quality.<br /><br />Cut quality between parts produced over either type of table has been fairly comparable. The biggest difference is that more dross adheres to the back of parts cut over a water table because the dross cools faster and sticks to the part as opposed to being blown down into the table. The "dross-free" rating by the plasma manufacturers is reduced when cutting over water. This dross/slag is not difficult to remove, but does add time/labor to the processing of parts.<br /><br /><strong><u>SUMMARY:</u></strong> In order to select the best table for your application, it is important to take all of these factors into consideration. Spending the time to evaluate your processes and long-term costs now, will assure that you select the best, most cost effective solution to your particular application for now as well as for the future. Your plasma cutting system manufacturer can help you evaluate all of these factors and assist you in the decision making process.<br /><br />Which Cutting Table is Right for Your CNC Plasma Cutting Application?<br /><br /><a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=34376f0e80224e699fc9ef200bb59ba6&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=34376f0e80224e699fc9ef200bb59ba6&plckPostId=Blog%3a34376f0e80224e699fc9ef200bb59ba6Post%3a0a53ae8b-c6b5-406a-9004-b68621d909ec&plckBlogItemsPerPage=5" rel="nofollow">Good Methods for Stainless Steel Plasma Cutting</a>Plasma cutters cut metal using a plasma torch.</div>

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