Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.

Simple Lett er Cutti ng

Oxy-fuel Cutting


Oxy-fuel Cutting


When you are cutting steel or ferrous metals that are ½” or thicker, Oxy-fuel cutting is the best method to use.

Oxy-fuel Cutting


The Oxy-fuel torch heats the metal to the melting point of the metal. The air- blast trigger is mashed and a blast of oxygen pushes the molten metal from the cut.

Oxy-fuel Cutting


The Oxy-fuel torch leaves a layer of dross (slag) on the cut edges.

Select a letter and use a soapstone to trace around the letter.


Make sure the letter is drawn completely.


Light the torch and adjust it to cut.


Begin heating and cut the lines out.


Cut the inside of the letter first, then the outside.


Make sure the metal is cut completely.


The letter will still be connected by the dross in the cut.


Use pliers to break the dross and remove the letter.


The letter has a rough edge because of the dross. It will need to be grinded and filed.


Carefully use a grinder on the surface of the letter.


Carefully use a grinder on the surface of the letter.


Use a bench grinder to smooth the edges.


Use a file and a vise to smooth the edges that you can not grind down.


Plasma Cutting


Plasma Cutting


This method of cutting can be used on metal less than ½ inch. The metal can be ferrous or nonferrous because the plasma is used to heat the metal, then the super hot gasses blast the metal from the cut.

Plasma Cutting


The edges of a plasma cut are smoother than that of an oxy-fuel cut.

Oxy-fuel vs. Plasma Cutting


The plasma-cut edges are smoother. This means less cleaning of the piece for a cleaner appearance.

Hand-held Plasma Cutting


Hand-held plasma cutting will be done basically the same way, but will have less dross.

Hand-held Plasma Cutting


CNC Plasma Cutting System




Computer

Controller

Table and metal

Plasma Cutter

Gantry



Gantry

Metal

Plasma Cutter

Table

Controller- the computer-type machine that drives the axis of a CNC machine.

CNC- Computer Numeric Control is the ability to control a machine using a code of numbers.

Gantry- a framework used to carry the cutting head in the different axis of movement.

Plasma Cutting System Terms




Gantry

Controller Cables



Controller

Computer Controller Cabling

CNC Plasma Cutting Computer Screen


CNC Plasma Cutting Working


CNC Plasma Cutting Finished Cut


Letters Removed


View of Edge of Cut


CNC Plasma Cutting Projects





References


Webster’s new compact office dictionary (2003). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co.

Documents

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved