STRUCTURAL STEEL COMPANIES:

In the post below we explain everything in more detail.

WHAT MAKES A POWERMAX / MAXPRO200 UNSUITABLE FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL APPLICATIONS?

HOLE QUALITY

Both systems have a tendency to produce a tapered cut because they do not have an autogas console capable of altering the parameters during the cut process. This taper can be just enough to prevent a bolt from fitting.

Tapered Hole in 10 mm MS using MaxPro200 Air/Air a) Top of Cut, b) Bottom of Cut

Further, the resulting plasma cut holes often have a “ding”. A “ding” is observed when a small amount of material is left protruding into the area of the hole during the lead-in/out. This small amount of material, again, can be just enough to prevent a bolt or pin from being inserted through the hole.

Inferior hole quality because of a “ding” – not bolt ready

CUT SURFACE

It’s not just the hole quality that could hold you back but the cut surface. Cutting with air plasmas, such as the Powermax, can reduce the weldability of the cut edge. The nitriding and oxidation that occurs at the cut edge will often need to be grinded off prior to welding to prevent porosity in the weld.

What is Hypertherm True Hole?

As mentioned above, one of the major drawbacks of a Powermax/MaxPro200 plasma source is their inability to produce “bolt-ready” holes. So to address this, in 2008, Hypertherm introduced its True Hole technology to eliminate the need for any costly secondary operations.

This innovative technology adjusts various cutting parameters such as gas flow, amperage, and cut speed to enable high-performance plasma cutting machines to produce plasma cut “bolt quality” holes, 100% of the time, and without any additional operator intervention.

If you are interested in learning more, we have written a separate post on how True Hole Technology can benefit your business.

What is the best CNC plasma cutter for structural steel?

Structural steel companies should opt for a CNC plasma cutting machine that is robust, reliable, and equipped with Hypertherm True Hole technology.

Robust
Where possible it is advised to avoid cheaper and less robust machine designs as they might not be up for the task of your application resulting in poor cut quality and proving costly in terms of maintenance.

When comparing different manufacturers’ machines, we have highlighted some of the key things to look for when assessing the robustness of a machine in the image below.

What to look for in a Robust CNC Plasma Machine

Always select a manufacturer you feel will be able to offer fast customer support and machine services as a preventative measure but will also provide a fast response in the event of a breakdown.

Finally, a supplier which has easy access to both spare parts and consumables will be key to maximizing the use of your machine.

Hypertherm True Hole Technology
True Hole technology is currently only available on CNC machines fitted with Hypertherm’s High-Definition XPR or HPR plasma systems.

True Holes in 10 mm MS using XPR130 a) Top of Cut, b) Bottom of Cut

The XPR range represents some of the best plasma cutting technology ever, offering significant improvements on other earlier series. Some of the major advantages are listed below, all of which can increase productivity and reduce costs for your business.

• Superior cut quality on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium
• Faster cut speeds, increasing productivity
• Increased piercing capability
• Longer consumable life

High-Definition plasma technology is not only beneficial to those in the structural steel industry but can be very useful for those in the yellow goods industry and those involved in heavy and general fabrication.

HOW MUCH MORE WILL IT COST ME?

To achieve superior cut quality, longer consumable life, and increased pierce consistency, an investment in high-definition plasma may be required. For an XPR system on a heavy-duty machine, the investment will start around £80,000 – £90,000. Not having these features, i.e. with a light-duty machine and a Powermax system can start from as low as “£28,000 – £29,000. The increased price of an XPR system will very likely pay for itself, however, with the increase in productivity achieved through lower operating costs(i.e. consumables and faster cutting speeds).

If you want to learn more about the price ranges of different types of plasma cutting machines, check out this handy price comparison table.

Mild Steel Cutting Speeds for Different Plasma Systems

Who can you contact if you need expert help?

If you are considering purchasing a CNC plasma cutting machine, it is always worth talking through your requirements with an expert. Here at Esprit, our team of experts would be happy to help you decide what machine and plasma system would be best for your business and applications.

Esprit have experience with all of the Hypertherm plasma systems including the Powermax, MaxPro, and XPR ranges discussed above. We are also able to offer a range of different machines suitable for a first-time plasma user through to the highly experienced. Our team of experts will gladly discuss your unique requirements and identify a tailored solution to your needs.

You are warmly invited to visit our facilities where we would be happy to show you the excellent cut results and hole quality of an XPR during a live demonstration.

Contact us today for more information or to book a live demo. 

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Hypertherm, HyDefinition, HyPerformance, HPR, True Hole, True Bevel, XPR, X-Definition, ProNest and EDGE are trademarks of Hypertherm, Inc. and may be registered in the United States and/or other countries.