CNC cutting. Do welders dislike plasma.

[mancavedweller]

Hi Everyone,

built a CNC plasma cutting table which uses an 80 amp Hypertherm Powermax with Duramx machine torch. Can pierce and cut 20mm, and maybe cut thicker with an edge start or with a hole drilled.

I'm close to going knocking on doors in an attempt to pick up some work for it. My question is do welders have any dislike of the plasma cut edge. As it is air plasma you get a thin nitrided edge, about 0.1mm thick I think. Then there's the bevel you get with plasma cutting.

Any experienced welders here that have a dislike for plasma cut parts, and would prefer laser or oxy/fuel cut parts.

 

[Hitch]

Bevel? I doubt anyone would like it if the cut isn't straight.
If its a decent cut, it shouldn't be a problem, a quick flick with a grinder and they are ready to weld.

Don't know about where you are, but in the UK, theres a good few places that specialise in supplying profiles.

 

[Drains]

It tends to be machinists who don't like the nitrided layer as it's hard on the tools. Fine for welding IMO. If required, a grinder cuts right through it.

 

[snowcat]

chiping hammer is normaly the quickest way to knock off dross, never had a problem with welding profiled bits.

 

[rob1]

hi most people like laser cut and most buisy workshops have the part number etched on aswel so the poles cant go wrong .
fabricators are a dying breed these days you just got to be able to do jigsaws.
how much for the plasma when you sell it?

 

[Drains]

chiping hammer is normaly the quickest way to knock off dross, never had a problem with welding profiled bits.

It's not the dross Mat, it's the very thin nitrided layer you get. Our machinists don't like it (actually they're ok, it's the foreman who says NO!, but he's a ***t so there you go).

 

[snowcat]

Build something up with weld and get him to machine it back round, He wont moan so much about a few thou of nitrated layer when the machines are doing a lap of the workshop

 

[mancavedweller]

Seems like the way to go is to cut some peices and go door knocking with them and see if they set the dogs on me.

When cutting properly the dross is easy to clean off with a knotted wire wheel or even just manually chip it off with a sharp chisel. Incorrect cutting parameters can give you slag which is almost welded to the edge. In any case I'd never supply cut parts with the dross still on.

I've read the nitrided layer is quite thin, about 0.1 mm and it grinds off quickly and easily. Some welders have said they never bother grinding it off unless the weld is a very critical one which will undergo various inspections to get it passed.

I've machined the nitrided edge of a plasma cut and my carbide tools don't stress at all, probably because the nitrided layer is so thin. Plus if they cut in the direction so the tool edge is cutting into base metal first and exiting out of the nitrided edge. They could then finish with climb milling to get a better surface finish if they wanted.

 

[shirazman]

no problem at all infact they are better as far less cleaning before fab

 

[ukracer]

Seems like the way to go is to cut some peices and go door knocking with them and see if they set the dogs on me.

When cutting properly the dross is easy to clean off with a knotted wire wheel or even just manually chip it off with a sharp chisel. Incorrect cutting parameters can give you slag which is almost welded to the edge. In any case I'd never supply cut parts with the dross still on.

I've read the nitrided layer is quite thin, about 0.1 mm and it grinds off quickly and easily. Some welders have said they never bother grinding it off unless the weld is a very critical one which will undergo various inspections to get it passed.

I've machined the nitrided edge of a plasma cut and my carbide tools don't stress at all, probably because the nitrided layer is so thin. Plus if they cut in the direction so the tool edge is cutting into base metal first and exiting out of the nitrided edge. They could then finish with climb milling to get a better surface finish if they wanted.

Have you any advice on building one or point me in the direction of some decent plans. The fabrication will be the easy part as the lads who want to build one are mustard but the electronics is beyond them. I have some electronics and computer experience so they have asked for some advice. I am trying to do some research on Uk sources etc.

thanks in advance.

 

[Shox Dr]

There was an exhibitor at Harrogate model engineering show a while back that built 3 and 4 axis sets ups to run on a PC. Yet another project I would like to build, so was caught by their prices. Sorry I can't be of more help

 

[astro_al]

There is a massive section on CNCzone.com. That's your best bet for detailed info.

Al

 

[amron]

MCW
Regrding your post from another angle - since I'm beginning to build a plasma cutter myself - could you provide more info about the table that you've built?
The table that I'm building will be 1000x1000mm cutting surface. the cutter that I intend to use is a powermax 1250 (I'll have to replace the torch to machine torch).
Thanx.

 

[snowcat]

Amron If you want any advice on building a table, give me a PM mines a scratch build that is now very used.