Tag: plasma cutting

Why Plasma and Oxyfuel Complement Each Other

Posted on Categories Metals, TechnologyTags , , ,

Plasma and oxyfuel are known to be a productive combination. They have remained to be industry workhorses. Overtime, plasma and oxyfuel machines have become simpler and easier to use. They also require less operator intervention. Both oxyfuel and plasma have advanced in the past decade. Having both plasma and oxyfuel on the same machine allows the shop to take advantage of the strengths of each process. The shop achieves the required part accuracy at a far lower cost than if it used the high-accuracy plasma process to cut the entire part.

Image from thefabricator.com

Using both mechanized oxyfuel and plasma cutting can make plate fabrication far more efficient and flexible. As these technologies advance, fabricators can produce their parts smarter, faster, with the highest quality, and at lower cost. Regardless, the choice to use these technologies on separate machines or on one system is as individual as the application requirements.

Read the full article on this combination here.

Using SPOT to Ensure Safety on the Job

Posted on Categories Grinding, Metals, TechnologyTags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The acronym SPOT stands for four factors that play a huge role in keeping metalworkers safe while on the job. Here at Sullivan Precision, safety is our first priority. We introduce those four factors here. Continue reading Using SPOT to Ensure Safety on the Job

The Fourth State of Matter

Posted on Categories Energy, MetalsTags , , , , , , , ,

One of the flame cutting services we offer at Sullivan Precision Plate is High Definition Plasma. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dive into the complex process of plasma cutting (with the help of our friends from How Stuff Works).

This week, we’re going to take a quick chemistry lesson. Most of us know the three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Many of us forget, however, the fourth state of matter: plasma. Plasma is what happens when you heat a gas to an extremely high temperature.

Image from GRINP.

The energy begins to break apart the gas molecules, and the atoms begin to split. Normal atoms are made up of protons and neutrons in the nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons. In plasma, the electrons separate from the nucleus and begin to move around quickly, leaving behind their positively charged nuclei. These positively charged nuclei are known as ions. When the fast-moving electrons collide with other electrons and ions, they release vast amounts of energy. This energy is what gives plasma its unique status and unbelievable cutting power.

Next week: Inside a plasma cutter.

Tips to Improve Plasma Torch Use

Posted on Categories MetalsTags , , , , , , , ,

Continue reading Tips to Improve Plasma Torch Use

Plasma Cutting Since the 1950s

Posted on Categories Metals, TechnologyTags , ,

worker-81764_640

Plasma cutting was first developed in 1957, and has seen many changes since then. The first plasma cutter was developed by engineers at Union Carbide Corporation and was used primarily for cutting stainless steel and aluminum plate. Throughout the 1960s, the cut quality and life of the consumable nozzles and electrodes in the cutting torch were improved. Continue reading Plasma Cutting Since the 1950s

Plasma-Cutting Steel Underwater Video Highlight

Posted on Categories Metals, TechnologyTags , , , , , , , ,

Take a look at this incredible video that highlights plasma-cutting steel underwater as well as explains the entire process and purpose of underwater plasma-cutting when building a massive ship.

Tips For Freehand Plasma Cutting

Posted on Categories TechnologyTags , , , , ,

Here is a fun and informative video for all of our handy men and women out there that take their plasma cutting seriously. This video details some tips and tricks for freehand plasma cutting, safety ware and more. Freehand cutting a perfectly straight line can be challenging, this video offers a few tips to ensure that perfect cut. Take a look!

Selecting a Plasma Cutting Machine for your Personal Workshop

Posted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , , ,

Looking to purchase a plasma cutting machine for your personal workshop? This blog post goes over the technology itself, why a personal plasma machine is perfect for your workshop and which machines are best for you. Lets take a look.

Plasma cutting is a process that uses a high velocity jet of ionized gas that’s delivered from a constricting orifice. The high velocity ionized gas (the plasma) conducts electricity from the torch of the plasma cutter to the work piece. This heats the work piece and melts the material. The high velocity stream of ionized gas blows the molten metal away, severing the material and ultimately makes the precise cut. Now after reading that, don’t you want one in your personal workshop?!

A plasma cutting machine is perfect for cutting steel and non-ferrous materials that are less than one inch thick. And, for most projects you will be working on in your personal workshop, you won’t be needing to cut anything much thicker than that.  And before you go out and pick up the first plasma cutting machine you see, answer these few quick questions to insure you’re purchasing the machine that is right for you and the work you do:

1. What’s the thickness of the metal you most frequently cut?
– If you’re only going to be cutting metal with a thickness of a quarter inch, than there’s no need to get a high powered machine. Make sure the amperage that your machine is taking is compatible with your power-source. If you are overworking your machine or your power source, you are going to end up with lower quality cuts.

2. Did you check for those pesky hidden costs?
– Plasma cutting machines have multiple parts that need to be replaced from time to time, dependent on frequency of use and duration of use. Make sure you read the fine print and look for a machine that has the highest quality factory parts that won’t ware out on you after a few uses.

For more information and for great plasma cutting machines, click here.

Original Article written by: James Anderton
www.engineering.com

 

Engineers Didn’t Have the Right Equipment, So They Built Their Own

Posted on Categories Metals, News, TechnologyTags , , , ,

Isaac Vavarro Alcazar was making a large, metal 3D dinosaur figure and didn’t have the equipment he needed to make the correct cuts. So, he built his own. It’s an automated tool that has the capability of making plasma cuts through various materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and more.

“With this technology, if a circular plate cut is required, it can be made from an AutoCAD drawing with the actual measurements. Then we generate the code, translate it to the computer and the machine does the cutting,” Alcazar explains.

The machine itself has a mounted plasma torch and has the capability of cutting plates up to an inch thick. Everyone from an artist to an engineer will find this machine useful and effective. Creatives can create artistic works with detailed cuts, such has signs, statues, etc; but contractors and home builders could use it to create that perfect window treatment.

Alcazar also said, “Our team only requires air and electricity, it doesn’t use gases; it can be positioned in the market, because besides plasma cutting technology, it can be adapted to drills, milling machines, lathes and 3D printing equipment, so we developed software for specific needs.”

The project is currently going through an incubator, but it sure will be exciting to see where it goes.

Original article from Phys.org can be found here.