Below articles we will tell you all the tips and guide if you need this plasma cutting service.

What is Plasma Cutting?

Plasma cutting method is to use the heat that generated from high temperature plasma electric arc to cut the steel parts. During cutting processes, metal material will be melting and evaporated, then to use plasma power to erase the metal melting fusions.

History about Plasma Arc Cutting Tech

Plasma Cutting was developed from plasma welding in the 1960s, and then evolved as an extremely effective method in the 1980s to cut sheet and plate metal. It possessed the benefits over conventional “metal against metal” cutting of generating zero metal clippings, providing precise cuts, and creating a more refined edge compared to oxy-fuel slicing. At the beginning plasma cutters were huge, fairly slow and costly and, for that reason, were inclined to be used for repetitive cutting styles in “mass production”.

Cutting Material Types

As Plasma cutting is a technique that cuts via electrically conductive materials using an accelerated stream of hot plasma. It could cut many types of material including different steels.
Common materials cut using a plasma torch include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper, even though various other conductive metals could be cut too.

What it is used for?

Plasma cutting is frequently utilized in auto repair and restoration, manufacturing workshops, salvage and scrapping operations, and industrial construction. Because of the very high speed and meticulous cuts coupled with low price, plasma cutting has a wide range of uses from huge industrial CNC operations all the way down to modest hobbyist shops.

Plasma Cutting Guide and Processes

The simple plasma cutting procedure requires producing an electrical channel of superheated, electrically ionized gas plasma from the plasma cutting tool itself, via the material to be cut, consequently creating a full electric circuit back to the plasma cutter through a grounding clamp.

It is actually done by a pressurized gas (oxygen, air, inert among others subject to material getting cut) which is forced from a concentrated nozzle at very fast speed to the piece getting cut. Inside the gas, an electric arc is created, between an electrode close to or incorporated into the gas nozzle and the actual work piece. A portion of the gas is ionized by the electric arc, resulting in a channel of plasma that is electrically conductive. Simultaneously, most of the high-speed plasma and pressurized gas blast away the scorching molten metal, as a result separating slicing through the material being worked.

Good option to cut both thin and thick steel plates

Cutting with plasma is an efficient method of slicing thin as well as thick steel plates and metal materials. Hand-held torches are able to cut steel plates as thick as 38 mm (1.5 in), and more powerful computer-controlled torches are able to slice steel as much as 150 mm (6 in) thick. Given that plasma cutters can generate an extremely hot and very focused “cone” to do the cutting, they can be invaluable for cutting metal sheets with more shapes and profiles in rounded or angled designs.

How CNC (computer numerical control) integrated in Plasma Cutting

Similar to various other machine equipment, CNC (computer numerical control) technological innovation was used on plasma cutting equipment in the latter part of the 1980s and into the 1990s, providing plasma cutting devices superior versatility to cut various designs “on demand” according to specific details which were programmed into the numerical brain of the machine.

These CNC plasma cutting pieces of equipment was, however, usually confined to cutting designs and components in flat steel sheets, employing just 2 axes of movement (known as X Y cutting)
Starting methods

Plasma cutting tools make use of quite a few techniques to start the arc. In certain devices, the arc is made by connecting the torch with the material being cut. Other cutting tools apply a high voltage, high-frequency electrical connection to create the arc. This technique has quite a few drawbacks, such as the danger of electric shocks, troublesome to fix, maintaining the spark gap, along with the large level of radio frequency emissions.[5] Plasma cutting tools operating close to delicate electronic products, like CNC equipment or computing devices, initiate the pilot arc by other methods. The nozzle and the electrode come into contact. The nozzle is the cathode while the electrode is the anode. Once the plasma gas starts flowing, the nozzle blows forward. A third, but not as popular technique is capacitive discharge into the main circuit through a silicon operated rectifier.

CNC Plasma Cutting Methods

A number of plasma cutter makers construct CNC cutting benches, and some installed the cutter in the cutting table. CNC tables make it possible for a computer to operate the torch head creating clean crisp cuts.

Nowadays CNC plasma cutting services

Today’s CNC plasma equipment are able to cut thick material on multiple axes, making it possible for complicated welding joints which are impossible with other methods. For thinner metals, plasma cutting is slowly being swapped out for laser cutting, because of the laser cut has exceptional hole-cutting capabilities.

(A specific application of CNC Plasma Cutters is in the HVAC field. Software analyses details on ductwork and produces level styles to be cut on the cutting table using a plasma torch. This technological innovation has significantly improved efficiency within the sector since it was introduced at the start of the 1980s.)

CNC Plasma Cutting services also can be used in various workshops to produce beautiful metalwork. For example, commercial and residential home signs, wall art, designs, street address signs, and exterior garden art.

Recently there was even further advancement. Normally, the cutting tables of the machines were horizontal, however, vertical CNC plasma cutting devices are on the market, offering a compact footprint, greater flexibility, most effective safety and quicker functionality.

CNC Plasma Cutting Configurations

CNC Plasma Cutting has 3 primary configurations, which are mostly differentiated by the kinds of materials before working as well as the mobility of the cutting head.

a. 2 Axis Plasma Cutting (2 D)

It is the most popular and traditional kind of CNC Plasma Cutting. Producing level profiles, in which the cut sides have a 90-degree angle to the surface of the material. CNC Plasma Cutting beds, the high powered ones, are set up in this manner, are capable of cutting profiles from metal plate as thick as 150mm all the way up to 30mm thick.

b. 3 Axis Plasma Cutting (3 D)

Just as before, a procedure for creating level profiles from a thin steel plate or sheet metal, but with the advent of an extra rotational axis, the CNC Plasma Cutting machine cutting head is able to tilt even while going through a standard 2-dimensional cutting route. The outcome of this is cut edges at angles besides 90-degrees to the surface of the material, for instances an 30-45 degree angles.

This angle is constant all the way through the material’s thickness. This is usually utilized in conditions where the profile getting cut will be utilized together with a welded fabrication as the edge angle forms a part of the weld groundwork. Once the weld preparation is carried out in the course of the CNC plasma cutting procedure, supplementary functions like milling or machining are often eliminated, thereby minimizing cost. The angular cutting ability of 3D plasma cutting can even be used to produce countersunk holes as well as chamfer edges of profiled holes.

c. Steel Pipe, Tube by Plasma Cutting

This cutting method is applied to the processing of tube, pipe or any kind of extended section, like H beams, C beams, L steel profiles etc. During the cutting processes, the plasma cutting torch will stay fixed at the same time the workpiece is pushed through, and revolving around the longitudinal axis.

Where ever, there are certain settings as with 3D Plasma Cutting, the cutting torch is able to turn and revolve. This enables angled cuts to be produced throughout the thickness of the section or tube, usually exploited in the fabrication of process pipework in which cut pipe could be supplied with a weld preparation instead of a straight edge.

How is Plasma Cutting Tech going to develop

The point is to get the high performance cut. In the previously years, plasma torch makers have designed a new version with a more compact nozzle and a slimmer plasma arc. It makes plasma cut edges could reach laser cut accuracy. There are some manufacturing companies have integrated accurate CNC control with the new nozzle, to get a more precisely cuts that nearly do not require any further processing and finishing.

Costs compared to other cutting methods

The costs for plasma cutting is getting reduced, previously plasma torches were expensive. Because of this they were often only located in specialized welding shops and really well-stocked private shops and garages. But, present-day plasma torches are getting more affordable, and today is within the budget of most hobbyists. Outdated equipment usually has a big weight, even it’s a portable model, while a number of more modern types with inverter features don’t weight that much at all, but are equal to or beyond the capacity of the old styles.

Octal provide plasma cutting services

We could provide plasma cutting as customized as below materials and size ranges:

Carbon steel

ASTM A36
ST37
ASTM A516
ASTM A572
etc.
Cutting thickness reach up to 40mm.
Tolerances +/- 1.0 mm/

Stainless steel

304, 304L
316, 316L
321
310S
317
etc.

Cutting thickness reach up to 30mm.
Tolerances +/- 1.0 mm/

Alloy steel

Chrome alloy
Nickel alloy

Weathering steel plate (Corten steel)

If you have any requirements for plasma cutting services, just contact us.

Octal provides customize waterjet cutting services according client requirements.

Things you should know about waterjet cutting and advantages

Here are a few things about the waterjet process worth noting:

• This process delivers precise cuttings, according to a person’s needs and specifications. In short, it can deliver high tolerance parts because of its narrow kerf width.
• It is slow when compared to other metal fabrication methods.
• It is one of the most expensive techniques in the market. This mostly applies when combined with plasma.
• CNC technology integrated in, fast program, fast layouts, CAD in.
• Cold cutting, no hot transformations
• No pollution, no harmful air and dust generated
• The only way to cut compound materials
• Edge smooth, no second cutting required
• One time process of perforation, cutting and profiling
• Lower cutting cost
• High Auto controlled
• 24 hours continuously working
• No need to change cutting torch
• Less cutting blurs.
• No cutting direction limits. Different profile different degree cutting.

2 cutting types by waterjet

Generally, there are two water cutting process, namely the pure water cutting technique and abrasive waterjet cutting process.

Pure water cutting

The pure water cutting technology is meant for soft materials such as food, rubber, textiles and leather. During this technique, water is pressurized into high levels then forced out through a small sapphire or ruby, releasing an intense cutting steam. The steam jet is believed to move 2.5 times the speed of the sound. This is the reason the pure water cutting technology cuts at a high rate, giving out powerful and precise cuttings.

Abrasive waterjet

On the other hand, the abrasive waterjet cutting technology is meant for hard materials that the pure water technology cannot cut through. As the name suggests, the water nozzle is replaced with an abrasive cutting head. The water steam creates a vacuum thus drawing the abrasive into a chamber facilitating the production of powerful abrasive jet steam.

This is the commonly known waterjet cutting steel process. The abrasive process cuts through nay material such as slab, glass, sheetmetal and aluminum, among others.

How does the waterjet cut intensifier pump works?

As we all know, the waterjet process operates on ultra high pressure to cut through materials. This process starts off with an intensifier pump. This pump creates the ultra high pressure needed to perform various tasks. The intensifier pump is fitted with a large horsepower motor.

Additionally, it uses a hydraulic pressure. This is how the hydraulic pressure is created and powers piston in a cylinder. Here is a list of other requirements used in this process:
A low pressure water inlet
Water off valve
Boost pump
Accumulator
Inlet check valves
Water filler
An intensified piston
Abrasive metering system and a cutting head.

Key point in waterjet cutting systems

The key point to make waterjet cutting is the clean water system is connected to the low pressure inlet. The water is then forced into the inlet filter through the inlet check valves until it reaches the hydraulic pump. This is the stage where water is pressurized. During this stage, the water pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pump. The pressure then forces water out of the intensifier and finally into the accumulator. The water then flows into the high pressure tubing into the cutting head. The water flow is controlled by the off valve. This valve allows people to achieve their desired cuttings while using the waterjet cutting process. The abrasive is mixed with high water pressure in the mixing chamber.

How does the intensifier work in waterjet cutting services?

People are always asking how the intensifier is able to create the ultra high water pressure. The larger hydraulic cylinder pushes the small piston in a cylinder full of water. This is how the ultra high water pressure is created. High water pressure enhances the cutting process.

How is waterjet cutting head working

Let us shift our gears and look at how the waterjet cutting head works. The high pressure water can be delivered into the cutting head in two ways. It can be through the hose or the high pressure tubing. The water is then applied to an orifice to help resist abrasion of high pressure water. It is mostly made of sapphire and diamond. The orifice is entitled the task of creating the water stream. Not all materials can be cut by the water stream. There are cases where a person will be required to add an abrasive to the water stream to cut through hard materials such as stone, plastic, aluminum and steel, among others.

The abrasive is the one that does the actual cutting. It is made up of crushed garnet. Consequently, there are other materials a person can use for special applications. Lastly, machines can be cut to meet a person’s exact needs.

Materials that could be used for waterjet cut

Waterjet cutting services could be applied for different materials, metals as carbon, alloy, aluminum, stainless steels, also the brass, copper. Other materials like carbon fiber, plastics, glass.

Octal provide waterjet cut services only for steels as below:

Mild/Carbon Steels

ASTM A36
ASTM A516
ASTM A572
ASTM A573

For carbon steel, waterjet cutting could do upto thickness 40 mm.

Stainless Steels

SS304L
SS316L
SS310
Duplex Stainless Steel

Aluminium and alloy steels

1050A
1200
5083
5251
6061
6082

Waterjet cutting tolerances

Waterjet cutting tolerances usually at +/- 0.25mm generally, for the steel thickness under 30 mm.

If you need customize waterjet cutting, just contact us.

About laser cutting

Laser cutting is to cut different materials especially steel metals with the help of laser beam. It is majorly used for industrial manufacturing applications, profiling metal connections for different equipment and structural parts. But now a day’s it also has been used for different purposes, such as wall art decoration, urban construction, auto-mobile manufacturing etc.

Why Laser cutting is getting popular in steel and metal cutting processes? Most is because of the reasons below.

Economic
High precision (up to +/- 0.05mm)
Rigorous cutting edge
Highly processing speed
Excellent cut quality
Less contamination
Auto and manually profiling options
CNC technology in
CAD connection
More material types
Small slot
Low transformations

Octal provide metal laser cutting services, which means we can cut steel plate, metal sheet as customized to different panels, screens, wall art etc. And before you are ordering this service, there are several things you need to know about laser cut metal technology.

Laser Cut Metal Material Types

What kind of material could be processed by laser cutting technology?

Yes, mostly laser cutting is used to cut mild steel (carbon and alloy steel) aluminum, stainless steel plates, metal sheets and other substances. We are listing steel material standard and grades for laser cutting so you can to decide what materials you prefer.

Cutting Thickness

Laser cutting method is best suited for cutting mild steel plate which has a thickness up to 1.25 inch (36 mm). After one inch, the cutting process will become difficulty and it need to be perfectly set which requires to configure each thing correctly. Like installing the material, checking the nozzle condition, beam quality, and gas purity. We know how to use laser technology to laser cut metal.

Laser cut metal tolerances

For different thickness of steels, different length and width tolerances standard will be applied, and normally as below:

• Steel thickness under 1.0mm, tolerances is +/- 0.12 mm.
• From 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm, tolerances allowed +/- 0.15 mm.
• From 3.0 mm to 6.0 mm, +/- 0.20 mm.
• 6.0 mm to 15.0 mm, laser cutting tolerances at +/- 0.25 mm.
• Up 15.0 mm to 20.0 mm, laser cut tolerances at +/- 0.75 mm.

Why laser cutting keeps material with precisely sizes

It’s not a fast process, especially on the mild steel, it looks like a burning process in which the extreme heat of the beam is used rather than the preheat flame. In this case, the speed is mainly maintained by keeping a check on the reaction of iron and oxygen. The precision of the laser cut metal is excellent. It creates a very tiny kerf width which helps in cutting even the precise contours as well as the small holes. With laser cutting, the edge quality is outstanding, with perfectly square edges and no or very little trash.

What products we can offer by metal laser cutting services

If you are looking for tight tolerances, cutting difficult profiles, high-speed cutting with precision, then laser cutting is your answer. We provide metal laser cutting services, which means we can do customized steel plate, sheet, panels as per the need of the customer for which we use Laser cutting process. Below the laser cut metal products and services we do:

• Laser cut sheet metal

• Laser cut metal panels

• Laser cut metal screens

• Laser cut metal wall art

• Laser cut steel

• Laser cut steel plate

And more other laser cut metal products or profiles, just name it or providing drawings, we will customize it.

Further more, we provide various type of laser cut metal parts to almost all the industries including, rail, wind, truck body, power generation, material handling along with others. We also use the same technology for process several products internally for sub-assemblies as well as for welded fabrications.

Various types of Laser cutting used by us

1. Flat Laser Cutting

The method uses programmed cutting to cut stationary metal parts with a 2-axis movement system. The lasers used in this process are highly advanced to provide high tolerance, accuracy, and speed to cut metal, stainless steel, metal alloys, aluminum and carbon steel.

With the help of flat laser cutting, we can make smaller kerf, provide better perpendicularity and use limited heat-affected areas to increase the accuracy on the challenging profiles and to fulfill specific requirements of the clients such as hole and flatness tolerances.

Earlier it was used to laser cut sheet metal, or laser cut metal panels into flat and formed sheet and plate components. But with the advanced laser technology, we offer laser cut metal parts for better fit and requires less assembly time for weldments and sub-assemblies.

2. Automated Steel Laser Cutting

It is a key point to make sure the production capacity in good steps, while to maintain with qualified products and good deliveries. So we use automated steel laser cutting to offer:

a. Laser cutting with CO2 using automated load/unload systems

b. Manual or AUTO processing for steel plate and sheet metal

c. 25 mm (1 inch) maximum cutting thickness

d. Production and inspection schedules with utmost perfection

e. Laser Tube Cutting Services

We are into providing bulk amount of processed tubes; therefore we use laser tube cutting technique, which gives us added value. Its mainly an automated process wherein 20 to 30 foot long raw stock is being processed by the equipment. It offers reduced costs on the machines, faster production, and better assembly.

The cutting process is mainly used to create precise end cuts as well as hole profiles which one gets from a 2D laser cutting.

We use laser tube cutting technology to provide better engineering assistance to our clients. It can be used to manufacture a new product or even to revise the previous one. We use this technology to supply laser cut tubes to various regions as well as industries.

f. Multi-axis laser cutting

It allows laser cutting of metal spinning, stamped components and formed parts. Along with this multi-axis laser cutting is used for laser welding on unique part designs. Multi-axis laser cutting can be used for cutting up to 5-axis abilities; we can provide the best engineering services with the flexibility to design as per their customer’s need and to meet the production requirements.

Our processes, people, and equipment provide all the due diligence so that when you use the metal parts for in your production line, they work properly and efficiently. So we are always providing high quality of laser cut sheet metal, laser cut steel, laser cut steel plate, laser cut metal panels, wall art, screens etc.

Why use laser cutting for steel processing?

With time and advancement in the technology, laser cutting has become quite popular for profiling sheet metals because of its high precision, processing speeds, and impressive cut quality. The technology can quickly cut through the steel along with other materials with utmost perfection which was not possible with the traditional methods of profiling technology.

We provide laser cutting services to various industries across the region. We use latest laser profiling technologies to offer our customers the best services with the full automated techniques.

Benefits of Laser Cut

Laser cutting can be defined as a manufacturing process which is used to eliminate the need for any other machining process to perform various engineering jobs which help you in saving a lot of your manufacturing costs.

Economic

It has several benefits if you compare it with plasma cutting or any other cutting technique. Since its more precise and use less energy to cut metals, it is widely used by the clients worldwide. The latest fiber laser machines have even made the cutting process more accessible to the manufacturers.

High precision levels

As said earlier, the precision levels along with the edge quality obtained with laser cutting machines are unparalleled and far better than the traditional cutting methods. This is because the laser beam doesn’t have any wear issues during the laser cutting process. It even enables us to cut the complex or more complicates shapes without needing any additional tools at the same or even faster speed as compared to any other cutting methods.

Less contamination

Using laser cutting technology makes sure that the workpiece contamination is being reduced to a greater extent and have various other advantages over the traditional metal cutting techniques.

Complexity workable

Laser cutting gives us the power to cut small holes even with the complex detailing without compromising the edge quality in the metal plate, sheet, box or tube.

More material options

With time, the demand for metal sheets, as well as other fabricated metals have evolved. Now people are looking for more engraved products or designs. Performing such tasks with the traditional methods is not easy. But with the use of laser cutting techniques, we can provide you the same piece of fabricated metal which you are looking for.

Laser cutting steel standard and grades

Using the laser cutting process, we offer various material laser cutting, but mostly is carbon, alloy, stainless and aluminum steel as listed below.

a. Laser Cutting Carbon Mild Steel

We use the best laser cutting techniques which can easily handle a full range of carbon and mild steels having the thickness up to 20 mm with the sheet size of 4m x 2m. Our laser cutting machines run all day long and can handle any requirement.

A few decades ago, people used to have flame which they use to cut metals but with the invention of lasers everything becomes easier, and it opened several new opportunities when it came to cutting mild or carbon steels.

Since then, most customers prefer laser cut sheet metal because of its excellent cut edge quality which is quite economical than any other profiling method.

Mild steel materials grades:
• ASTM A36 (S235)
• ASTM A516
• ASTM A537
• ASTM A572
• ASTM A573
• S275
• S355
• SPCC – Cold rolled steel
• EN8
• Weather steel plate
• ASTM A242 Corten steel
• Galvanized steel
• Tool steel

All hot rolled and cold rolled steel plate, sheet, coils are available for laser cutting.

b. Laser Profiling Stainless Steel Sheet Metal

Stainless steel is the most popular and versatile metal available on the market. It is the most expensive form of steel as compared to any other steel. The reason why people widely use it because of its strength, resistance to corrosion and high-quality finishing across the world. We are providing laser cut sheet metal; laser cut steel, laser cut steel plate, etc. for design & architecture clients, medical industries as well as male grooming products.

We can provide the customized laser cut steel as per the requirement of the clients. Laser cutting can provide a quality smooth finish.

Stainless steel materials for laser cutting
• 304/304L
• 316/316L/316Ti
• 321/S32100
• 430
• Duplex steel
• Inconel Alloy 625, 800, 800H, 825
• Hastelloy steel

More stainless steel materials available since requested.

c. Laser profiling Aluminum and Alloy Sheet Metals

Cutting an aluminum sheet or aluminum alloy with the help of laser can be tricky with traditional methods, but with fiber lasers, it’s quite easy to cut even 15mm thick sheet. We use the high-quality aluminum laser cutting services to provide utmost precision as well as output.

Cutting aluminum or its alloy can be tricky with traditional CO2 lasers, but fiber laser technology is an advanced alternative for the same, which faces no such issue in cutting the sheets. There are various industries which need aluminum sheets including the aircraft design firms, boat building, and construction industries. After iron, aluminum is the world’s second most widely used metal, and we are providing all sorts of customized laser cut sheet metal for the same.

Why Choose us for Laser Cutting Services?

We provide our services to large as well as small companies. Almost every manufacturing industry including furniture, automotive, food equipment, the point of purchase displays and other heavy industrial machinery.

It doesn’t matter what kind of metal fabrication service you are looking for; we are here to help you out in each and every aspect. We use the best laser cutting technologies to laser cut metal, laser cut sheet metal, laser cut steel, laser cut steel plate, laser cut metal panels, etc. The main reason why industries and firms choose us over others are:

Quality

One can count on the products we fabricate for them regarding quality. Our team of professionals is doing a great job in cutting the metals with precision and following all the requirements of the customers. We assure you that no one else can perform the task like us, we make sure to finish the whole assigned in one go, and we maintain the consistency with all our products.

Price

We are offering our services at a very optimum price across the region. We know the market is full of manufacturers like us, but we know that no one is providing such a price for the quality of product, we are offering. You are free to research the whole market, and sure you will agree with us.

Fast production

Our clients are impressed with our quality and the price. The next thing which attracts more clients is our fast production time and on-time delivery. We will give you an exact time when we will be able to deliver the whole assignment as per your metal fabrication needs.

Transparency

We perform each and every task with transparency. Whether or not you will use our service, we will always give you the best advice for your business. In case you have any question related to your need or project completion, or anything else, you can ask us anything, anytime and we will be glad to answer the same.

Once you combine all these things together, you will understand why we are so popular and why clients want to work with us. In case you need laser cut metal, laser cut sheet metal, laser cut steel, laser cut steel plate, laser cut metal panels or anything else, just contact us and will assist you in every possible way.

Contact us for any laser cut metal service you want!