Getting parts cut for work, am I too picky?

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We are ordering these parts from our steel vendor to be cut on their CNC table. I think the parts look rather shoddy, am I being too harsh? These were cut from our CAD prints, 1/4" thick steel, the large hole is 2" diameter, the 4 small holes are 9/16" diameter. $7.50 per plate, that is material and labor.Thanks for any feedback. Attached Images
Reply:They certainly are rough. Almost looks like it was done by hand with a template.Last edited by thejonn2524; 07-19-2012 at 06:25 PM.
Reply:I'd send it back.That cut quality is horrible.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Based on what I've seen the guys on this board do they look pretty shoddy to me. I don't think you're being too picky.
Reply:Here are a couple of pics of some parts that I got cut by my local CNC plasma cutter.These are 10ga P&O.It is almost laser quality and he is only using a small Torchmate table with a Hypertherm plasma. This is the kind of cut I expect on all of my parts.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:And your paying for that junkwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Are those small holes supposed to be round? just curious because they look like they may be off and ZT your stuff is just bad a$$. I don't know what that is but I can't imagine it could look much better!Millermatic 135Craftsman 7 Hp 80 Gallon           2 stage compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by 70ChallengerAre those small holes supposed to be round? just curious because they look like they may be off and ZT your stuff is just bad a$$. I don't know what that is but I can't imagine it could look much better!
Reply:If I may ask what is P&O?Millermatic 135Craftsman 7 Hp 80 Gallon           2 stage compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by 70ChallengerIf I may ask what is P&O?
Reply:Probably a dumb question but did you give them a set of prints with your order? If so what were tolerances? Me I would reject them as NOT to print per tolerances and workmanship standards.
Reply:A CNC place that can't even do CNC? duh...Find a new CNC vendor, yours is inarguably incompetent.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Thanks for all the responses. The vendor is Boyds steel and we got some other parts earlier this week that were just as bad.We called the QA supv there and he assured us it was a 1 time mistake, but now I think there is something else going on. They advertise up to 1 1/2" capacity, but I think it is time to move on from their "fab" services and just go back to buying steel from them.Their steel is always good quality, fair priced, and quick delivery, so I can't knock eveything they do. One thought I had was I drew it up on AutoCad 2011 and sent the print to them via email. From my research in purchasing my own machine, I understood that the CAD print could be loaded directly into the cutter. Am I incorrect on this? Could the holes that are supposed to be round and are not be an issue with loading my drawing?
Reply:They're not even taking the few extra seconds to do lead-ins / lead-outs when the torch cuts a hole, hence the nasty pierce mark.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:We have a CNC plasma at work.  1/4" steel is not hard to get dialed in.  What I'm seeing in those pics is NOT acceptable.  It should look like the parts ZTFab showed above, only thicker.Pic is of a part we cut for a suit shop's logo, it is 1/4" HR steel.  This was the sample part, about 1/4 scale of the final part.  I removed all the mill scale and dross by soaking in vinegar for about 24 hrs.  Only had a few small BB's that had to be knocked off with a paint scraper after that. Attached Images
Reply:I've had steel plasma and laser cut, and I guarantee you, they're doing something wrong. It's one thing if the steel is pushing their thickness capacity, the cut will not be true or square, but what they are doing is outright shoddy.Bruce
Reply:What table are they using? I have only been messing with my table for about 3-4 weeks, and have turned out much better parts in 1/4 inch. Looks like they did not slow the federate down enough for the holes. They should have been cut at aprox 60% of the outside square federate. And without closer look (would need it in hand) it's possable they did not reverse the cut direction. Holes should be counter clock wise, and the exterior square should be done clockwise. I personally only have 10 guage dialed in, and an going to start on 1/2 here this week, as I have a few pieces to cut up soon. 1/4 I have messed with, but it needs work getting it right. It lookalike thence operator needs more experience before attempting to sell stuff.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:I have a plasma cutter and I think that stuff looks hand cut. Cuz my cuts look just as bad!! hahahaLincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Honestly, with a little practice/warm up, I can cut holes almost as good freehand.If its freehand, its pretty good.But if you paid good money to have it CNC cut, then its completely unacceptable.Last edited by Lanse; 07-22-2012 at 10:23 PM.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:The really sad part about this is some one at that shop thought it was OK.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:You can teach a monkey to do almost anything. They don't have to speak English to run a cutting tool. Were your specs in their native tongue? I think we have a huge problem with that issue in production work here in the states. I have seen it first hand.The monkey doesn't know what is good or not.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Depends, if you had a roughness spec on your prints then im sure that didnt meet it.   if not i dont think the cutter is obligated to take them back.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I have a Cnc strippet machine at work that does 1/4 inch plate.  Want to me get a punched out price for you per plate?Millermatic 251Miller Bobcat 225Lincoln 135Victor Oxy/FuelOlder Thermal Dynamics 50 amp (paid $700 with 10 sets of consumables)
Reply:My old boss could cut freehand nearly as well as zt's part. he is amazing. his shop standard was every cut within 1/32 of an inch. he preferred within 1/64 of an inch. anybody that turned that out would have never cut for him again. send it back.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:thats crap quality send it backOriginally Posted by DualieDepends, if you had a roughness spec on your prints then im sure that didnt meet it.   if not i dont think the cutter is obligated to take them back.
Reply:ZTfab, that is fine work!!OP, those parts are junk - I'd send them backThermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:when the spec says it has a roundness spec.  or minimum surface roughness.   I dont have my references here at the house but I think max gouge depth is 1/16 of an inch for bolt holes.     or 1,000 micro inches.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:To play devils advocate, the QC did say it was a mistake, shouldn't happen, but mistakes do happen. Did they offer to immediately cut new ones? If not then yeah, phuk'm and get a refund. If you are buying your steel from them too, then that makes it even more important to make you happy as going some where else could double the loss for them.Maybe their torch got dull and needs to be sharpened..........200amp 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:I don't do any volume work and I have one of my parts that is very similar cut by laser for $2 a pop.I can asure you it looks nothing like that!
Reply:The pics I posted was of the best one. There were no roughness specs on the print, I just assumed a round hole on the print would translate to a round hole in the part. We will just go back to the way we were doing things, drilling and sawing out of bar stock. I am rather disappointed with the whole experience with our vendor, knowing the quality that is available. These parts are adapters to replace obsolete parts in the plant, but I was hoping that we could count on the vendor for future adapters  to save us some time. I guess when I get my table I can show them that quality work can be done with a plasma table. I appreciate all the feedback from you guys, I will make sure to ask them about sharpening their torch!
Reply:How many of those do you order ? sounds cheap... looks cheap. Their machine definitely needs a tune up at the very least.
Reply:These tabs are 1/4" laser cut and $2. You need to try again. Im sorry you got burned but laser or plasma cutting is the way to go for the parts you are needing made. You are not being picky. The price you are paying has nothing to do with the quality you should expect in my opinion. If they are selling laser for that price, great for you but you should still expect laser quality. Rank equipment and the expectations you could expect from that equipment. For example, lowest quality part would be freehand oxy torch, next up is plasma/water jet, then laser cut then CNC machined from billet. If you paid for laser, you should get laser quality. I just showed you an example of laser quality. Last edited by Jimmy_pop; 07-30-2012 at 10:06 PM.
Reply:I would send them back. I would expect a vendor to supply a customer with a better part than you got.This is the quality I get from my Torchmate 2x2 using a hypertherm powermax 45 with a hand torch. Once I upgrade to a machine torch, I'll be able to get a cut quality like ZT's parts. Attached ImagesMiller Synchrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Torchmate 2x2Victor O/A
Reply:Man you have that TM2X2 dialed in. Looks great. My table cuts a nice edge on 10guage. Now I gotta spend some time and dial in 1/4 and half. And I'll about have it licked.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabMan you have that TM2X2 dialed in. Looks great. My table cuts a nice edge on 10guage. Now I gotta spend some time and dial in 1/4 and half. And I'll about have it licked.
Reply:It's amazing how your opinion of "acceptable" changes with CNC control isn't it. What I used to do by hand and considered acceptable would be tossed in the scrap bin now. And my opinion of square has changed as well. Now being within .001 is acceptable, where before a 1/16 was acceptable. But better equipment comes better results and end products.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.