ss plasma 1

[mielke]

We using a plasma table to cut SS 304 plate of 1/2" to 1" thickness, and are noticing relatively signifacant warpage.

Is this inevitable or does anyone have any recomondations on how to limit this warpage?

 

[MikeHalloran]

There should be a way to fill the table with water, up to the bottom surface of the plate.

That will eliminate the warpage.

... and make a whole new kind of mess. You'll have to dispose of wet burned metal muck instead of dry burned metal dust.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[mielke]

we have a water bed, it is filled to about 1/2" - 1" bellow the plates being cut.

 

[MikeHalloran]

The water doesn't help if it's not touching the plate.
Add some.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[mielke]

The tech that installed it suggested leaving some distance between the plate and the top of the water. But you say to raise the water level to the plane of the plate being cut?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Yes.

It will also produce clouds of steam, and spray water and sludge around, and occasionally screw up your cutter nozzle,
but it will prevent distortion.

Or you can leave the water level down where the cutter is not such a housekeeping problem, and deal with the distortion some other way.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ash9144]

That is what he says. The water takes away the heat from the cut. The heat is causing your warpage. Your tech left the gap because it is messy.