How to cut the steel plate
09-02-2023
Oxy Fuel Flame Cutting
Oxy fuel flame cutting is a thermal cutting technique in which a gaseous fuel rapidly oxidizes the steel along a set path. The process is highly efficient for steel plates up to 12 inches in thickness.
First, a stream of oxygen and fuel heats the metal to its ignition point, which, for mild steel, is approximately 700-900° C. Next, a stream of pure oxygen runs across the metal, weakening the metal and generating iron oxide.
The oxidation reaction continues, with the stream of gas blowing off the iron oxide, until the plate is cleanly sliced.
Oxy fuel flame cutting is a versatile and precise process, used to achieve tolerances of ±.063 to .250 inches across a range of industry applications. Some sectors that benefit the most from oxy fuel flame cutting include: Electrical、Energy、Manufacturing、Mining.
Plasma Cutting
Like oxy fuel flame cutting, plasma cutting leverages a stream of hot gas to cut metal along a predetermined path. The difference lies in how plasma cutting machines direct the gas.
A plasma torch uses a copper nozzle to focus a stream of superheated, ionized gas.Within the nozzle is an electrode, which generates an arc of electricity between the nozzle and the steel plate.The combination of compressed gas and electricity yields a high-powered, highly precise stream of gas that cuts through metal with ease.
While manual plasma cutting is possible, we typically use advanced CNC plasma cutters for maximum speed, precision, and cutting area. With these machines, we achieve cutting speeds exceeding 10m per minute without sacrificing accuracy.
As a fast and precise manufacturing technique, plasma cutting is popular across many industries, including: Manufacturing、Industrial construction、Salvage、Automotive.
Laser Cutting
Whereas plasma cutting and oxy fuel flame cutting both use a stream of gas to cut the metal, laser cutters instead leverage an intense laser beam to heat and slice along a precise path.
Different laser cutters are suitable for different types of plate cutting projects. CO2 lasers, which use carbon dioxide as a medium, are weaker and better suited to soft materials or engraving.Fiber lasers are more powerful, incorporating optical fibers as their medium, and can cut a wider range of materials.They also tend to be more precise and efficient.
On the whole, though, either laser cutting technique can be highly effective when used in the right setting. Laser cutting is especially valuable for precise, intricate designs with tight tolerance requirements.
Some industries that often benefit from laser cutting include: Agriculture、Automation / Production Equipment、Construction、Mining、Nuclear、Material Handling、Municipal/ Government、Power Generation、Rail、Wind.
