Working up to a boring job. Shape cutting with pantograph guided oxy-fuel torch

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Considering all the buzz at WeldingWeb about mechanized cutting, I though y'all might like a look at my recent project.Basically these cut-outs are hinges that need to work as matched pairs. There is only one critical dimension - the hole center to the mounting surface. After torch cutting, the holes will be centered and bored to size.Attachment 50604On the left,"T" is a template of a shape which in the future will be cut from "P" plate. Template "T" has nothing to do with today's post except that the portion of plate "P" from which "T" will be cut must be left intact. For now  we're concerned with cutting out a few of part "D" the delta shaped pieces. With some careful and crowded layout, five of the "D" deltas will be cut from steel that would have been left as scrap drops when "T" is cut. Plus the heavy rascal was already near the table. Since this was used plate, it was necessary to trim off  a few extras:Attachment 50605Then the plate was set up to be cut with the tracer torch.Attachment 50606The original plan was to use the delta shaped "D" as a pattern, but after a test run "D" was found to be too rough for smooth tracer travel, and thus would transfer its imperfections to the cut. Pattern "C" is a template for cutting circles. Although the tracer is magnetic, a wrap of tape gives the rotor better traction on smooth patterns.Pattern "S" is a guide for cutting straight lines.The pieces were first cut apart at straight lines, by using "S" as a straight guide. Attachment 50607Once separated, the rough cut shapes can be trimmed to make matching pairs.Attachment 50609 "You have uploaded the maximum of 5 files" Okay, okay, I'm done. Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:45 PM.
Reply:Wonderful post!!!!!!!!!!!There was torch before plasma, and mechanical means before CNC.This was a real treatI'll sleep well tonight"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Next time do a demo with THICK plate. Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:It's nice with the torch set right! Good cutsMatt
Reply:OK Denrep.....here we go again! Here is a link to Hypertherm videos. Peircing and cutting 2" carbon steel with a 400 Amp oxygen plasma on a cnc machine. 30 inches per minute cut, about 2 second pierce. That's my hand in the video. I know, its a $70,000 plasma on a $100,000 cnc machine. But you can push the start button and go do something else while this thing cuts you a couple hundred parts!Go to this link, then click on the video marked 2" cut. Feel free to check out the other videos on the Hypertherm site....some are pretty good!Jim Colt    http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Trainin...#hyperformance
Reply:hey den, I love it.
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltOK Denrep.....here we go again! Here is a link to Hypertherm videos. Peircing and cutting 2" carbon steel with a 400 Amp oxygen plasma on a cnc machine. 30 inches per minute cut, about 2 second pierce. That's my hand in the video. I know, its a $70,000 plasma on a $100,000 cnc machine. But you can push the start button and go do something else while this thing cuts you a couple hundred parts!Go to this link, then click on the video marked 2" cut. Feel free to check out the other videos on the Hypertherm site....some are pretty good!Jim Colt    http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Trainin...#hyperformance
Reply:very cool !!   You got to love heat
Reply:Old school, works great, looks great , Den."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Samm, you may need to check your spectacles. I 'spect them's metric inches your reading.
Reply:Originally Posted by daddy metric inches .
Reply:Originally Posted by daddySamm, you may need to check your spectacles. I 'spect them's metric inches your reading.
Reply:..... Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Samm, Samm, Samm   Originally Posted by farmersammNext time do a demo with THICK plate.
Reply:Man did you just make Sam's day!  We'll NEVER hear the end of it now.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Alfred, aka Antonio Banderas, drops behind the bar, both guns empty, ejects the clips, rams new ones home, and with Salma Hayek on his arm, rises to make hash of the bad doods  A scene of pure carnage.  Bodies stacked like cordwood.  Acrid wisps of cordite hanging in the still air.  Antonio retrieves his guitar case, and they stroll out the door.And us poor schmoes in the audience dream of being Alfred as we munch on our mega butter popcorn.  Rumor has it, that Alfred was seen discussing metalurgy with Salma over bugers at the Derby.  Little was heard of the conversation, but Salma was seen to gently stroke Alfred's ear a time or two.  When questioned about the encounter, Alfred declined to comment.  A cad he is not.Sightings of the couple have been reported in, and around, City of Industry. Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks Denrep "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nice work denrep.  Really nice!(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:Mmmmm....Salma200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Ha!  now that is a nice cut.
Reply:I'd say Alfred's got your back Samm.Those silly plasma cutters got nothin' on oxy fuel!Sorry Jim, just kiddin.
Reply:Originally Posted by daddyI'd say Alfred's got your back Samm.Those silly plasma cutters got nothin' on oxy fuel!Sorry Jim, just kiddin.
Reply:I wouldn't attempt to challenge Denrep on thick plate with plasma. Fortunately.....it takes a lot of skill to make an oxy-fuel torch sing like his does. The plasma.....just push the buttons and cut. You may want to check out the other videos using the same plasma torch that cuts 2" steel......one of them is doing arc marking, then cutting of 10 ga stainless....using the same torch nozzle. The marking uses argon at 9 amps, then the torch switches to 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen for cutting the stainless at 80 amps with a weldable edge. Probably would have a tough time doing that with the Oxy-fuel torch!I do like the old pantographs though!Jim
Reply:Thanks  all, for  the compliments.The heavy cut into the edge of a scrap piece is actually not a top quality cut, mostly because the top edge is melted. However, the cut would be good enough for most fabrication purposes.The top edge quality suffered because pre-heat was a little hot and travel speed was a little slow. Normally minor adjustments could be made "on the fly" but not when also filming a movie during the cut: Won't embed, try this link: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4siIEYDQA[/ame]"This video is still being processed. Video quality may improve once processing is complete." YouTube, I doubt it.  Sorry about the low quality, it lost something in the upload. I'm trying another upload but it's had my PC lugged down for 45 minutes.  I guess to really figure the video thing out (especially dubbing in swanky music )  it's gonna take a better camera man than Alfred or I.Anyway, torch settings were a compromise for several reasons:Torch's height adjustment was a medium setting because the plate's top edge was not square with the tip; this caused the non-drop side of the cut to suffer more melting than the drop side. Also, the plate's top edge was angled downward along the cut's length, this essentially caused torch height to increase as the cut progressed. Finally, there was second thinner plate attached at the bottom of the cut, and the thin plate was also being cut. I'm not making excuses, just trying to mention some of the factors that go into making a high-quality torch cut, either manual or machine guided.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 05-13-2010 at 12:50 AM.
Reply:By the way, I'm not downing any other cutting process or  automated guide system, in anyway. I don't look at the various systems as competitors, but more like players on the same team, each with their diverse strong points.Okay, I managed a (somewhat) higher quality clip.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy3g4-D1ZeA&feature=channel[/ame]For now, Tha tha that's all folks... I've been transferred away from the tin shop.Something about O2 consumption rising, and steel inventory falling. Good LuckHere's an old one for ya' piece is 1/2 of a throw on a ship crank cant remember source Attached Images250DXMM251MM175225G plus 251D-1
Reply:That's awesome! People make fun of me and my oxy torch, but I've yet to find a tool so adept at everything.
Reply:I like that heavy plate cutting pic.  Somewhere I'll have to find those pics of 1000 Amp plasma cutting on 6" stainless using argon/hydrogen as the plasma gas and water shield secondary gas. It is pretty impressive, and loud.Jim
Reply:That is awsome, he is switching from pre-heat to cut near the torch.I thought that was somehow a traveling pierce without tossing anything up but at 400% mag you can see the pre-drilled holes for the start.Still neat!Matt
Reply:I think the pics are from that WWII British ship yard site posted on another link