Portal thermal cutting machine. Industrial equipment

The main advantages of thermal cutting are economy and accuracy. In comparison with mechanical, this type of processing of metals is distinguished also by a higher productivity. There are several types of thermal cutting. In each case, special equipment is used.

Types of machines

Currently, the following types of thermal cutting are used in the following industries:

• Plasma;

• Oxygen (gas);

• Laser.

Machines designed to perform each of these operations can differ constructively, according to the functional and dimensions.

Plasma cutting

In this case, a portal thermal cutting machine is used, equipped with a special operating element creating an electric arc. It is called the plasmoid. The advantages of this type of metal processing are, first of all, high speed. These machines are usually used when it is necessary to provide the best or average degree of precision of the cut. Some disadvantage of this method is the relatively high cost of equipment.

On machines of this variety, metals such as steel, aluminum and copper are cut. They can function in two modes. Processing of metal with a thickness of less than 10 mm is produced by a plasma jet. Thick sheets are cut by an arc of direct impact. In the latter case, the workpiece to be processed is part of an electrical circuit.

Oxygen cutting of metal

The main advantage of this technology is its economy. It is worth the equipment for oxygen treatment is cheaper than machines designed for plasma and laser. Most often this is a conventional small thermal cutting machine, the price of which is low, moving on wheels. However, there are also large autonomous gas machines designed for processing sheets in automatic mode (CNC). Sometimes enterprises also use stationary machines with a cutter and a special mobile niche. This equipment is very convenient to use and can be used on the thickest sheets. However, it is, unfortunately, very expensive.

The advantages of oxygen cutting of metal, in addition to cheapness, include cleanliness of the seam, the simplicity of the technology, the absence of special requirements for the room in which the work is performed. Minuses of gas cutting are considered a large consumption of material and not too high accuracy of cutting.

Laser equipment

The portal thermal cutting machine of this type is designed primarily for processing metals with high accuracy. In addition, the laser gives a clean cut and can be used on both very thick and thin workpieces. Among the advantages of machine tools of this type, among other things, include universality. You can cut on them not only steel, but also plastic, wood, leather, fabric, rubber and other materials.

Also using this equipment, laser laser cutting is performed. Applied such machines and for the manufacture of complex flat elements of interior and exterior decor.

The main disadvantage of portal machines with a laser head is high cost. In addition to this, not all kinds of metals can be cut on such equipment . For example, it is very rarely used for processing silver due to the high reflective qualities of the latter.

Combined machines

In our time, this kind of equipment is very often used at enterprises. The portal thermal cutting machine combined can be equipped with several carriages of different types: gas and plasma. Of course, these machines are expensive. However, at the same time they allow performing a metal processing operation with high productivity, as quickly and qualitatively as possible. Therefore, they pay off usually in a fairly short period of time.

CNC Equipment

Portal technical machines can be controlled either manually or automatically. The latter species is considered more convenient. In this case, a mini-computer with software is connected to the machine. Before the start of the work, the specialist enters into the control system a special program, the purpose of which is automatic cutting according to the specified parameters. Machine tools of this type operate practically without operator participation. The employee of the enterprise watches only that during processing of sheets there were no failures.

The advantages of such equipment as the portal thermal cutting machine with CNC, primarily include a very high speed. A drawback of machines of this type is the need to use powerful ventilation systems designed to remove fine metal particles that are formed during cutting. And, of course, special experts are needed to service such equipment. And that's why companies have to either hire new employees, or retrain old ones.

Features of plasma machine design

All machines of this type are divided into console and portal. The console-type machine of thermal cutting does not have such a constructive element as a table, and it costs less. Portal equipment is much more convenient in work and productive. The workpiece on these machines is fixed on the table with special elements, which ensures the cleanliness and accuracy of the cut.

The design of equipment such as a plasma CNC machine includes:

1. Apparatus for supplying voltage and compressed air. The latter is fed under great pressure. During operation, the air is heated to a temperature of 20-30 thousand grams. And ionizes, as a result of which it becomes a very good electrical conductor and turns into plasma.
2. The plasma head.
3. Cutting system.
4. Devices for moving the head.
5. Control system.

Features of the gas machine design

Equipment for cutting metal of this type is equipped with a special head, from which a jet of oxygen, mixed with combustible gases, bursts out under pressure. Tables in portal machines of this type have a special design that allows them to withstand high temperatures and loads from very heavy workpieces. As in plasma, these machines have a cutter, devices for moving it and a control system. The gas is supplied from the connected cylinders during operation. Safety of cutting is provided by special flame-retardant valves.

Laser machine design

Equipment of this type usually does not have too large dimensions. As in other types of thermal cutting machines, all working elements are fixed to them on a solid bed. The most important units of this type of equipment are a laser cutter and drives that ensure its movement in different planes. Also in the design of this equipment include lubrication, cooling and smoke removal systems. The control panel of such machines is equipped with a liquid crystal display.

Basic Selection Parameters

When buying such equipment as a stationary machine for thermal cutting of metals, first of all pay attention to the width and length of its working table. Also very important are such indicators as processing speed, positioning accuracy, maximum and minimum permissible thickness of the metal.

How to choose a laser machine

When buying such equipment an important indicator is the possibility of using for cutting certain metals. In machines of this type can be installed heads of different designs. Fiber laser cutters are designed primarily for cutting ferrous metals. The maximum thickness of blanks for machines with such a head is 20 mm. Sometimes equipment of this type is used for the cutting of metals with high reflectivity (copper, silver, brass). With the use of Slab CO2 heads, laser cutting of metal with only low reflectivity can be performed. Of color, these cutters can only be used on aluminum. Also this type of heads is used for cutting leather, wood, plastic, etc. The maximum indicator of the thickness of blanks for machines with such a head is 25 mm. Cutters type Nd: Vag are designed for processing ferrous and non-ferrous metals. With their use, it is possible to cut workpieces with a thickness of no more than 4-5 mm.

In addition to the type of head, when choosing a laser machine, you need to pay attention to what kind of security system it is equipped with. Best of all, if the design of such a machine will include a special protective chamber. On machines of this configuration it is allowed to work without glasses.

Selecting a plasma machine

When buying such a machine you need to pay attention to:

• The maximum permissible thickness of the metal being cut;

• Type of metal being cut;

• Complexity of the configuration of the cut;

• Economy in terms of electricity consumption.

What to look for when buying a gas machine

In this case, you should also look at the maximum permissible part thickness and the complexity of the cut configuration. Also an important indicator when choosing an oxygen machine for processing metals is the type of photoelectric control. Some thermal cutting machines of this variety make the cutting of parts according to the drawing executed by ink on white paper, others - only on copying drawings in the scale of 1x10.

Price of machines

The cost of equipment designed for thermal cutting, depends on its variety, size and performance. The cheapest, as already mentioned, are oxygen apparatus for cutting metal. Prices for them can fluctuate within 600-800 thousand rubles. Plasma devices are slightly more expensive - 700-800 thousand rubles.

Prices for combined models of "gas + plasma" range from 800 to 1200 thousand rubles. You can also buy mini-portal machines of this type. They can cost about 300-400 thousand rubles. The most expensive type of equipment are laser devices for cutting metal. Prices for them, depending on the size, fluctuate within 300-9000 thousand rubles.

As for the manufacturer, the most demanded are the units SteelTailor, as well as Alfatech from the NPP "Techmash".

Equipment designed for thermal cutting of metals, thus, can have a different design. The type of cutting head depends on both the cost and performance of the machine. The choice of a particular model depends first of all on the accuracy and speed of the cutting, as well as on what metals it is intended to use.