The best metal cutting machines

There is no one answer to this question. The fact is that each has its place in the metalworking world and each can do its job effectively and efficiently.

Laser cutters can be relied upon for precision and accuracy; and increasingly they are being integrated into lights-out-manufacturing and full scale automation.

But this degree of accuracy is unnecessary for those who are cutting, say, a metal pipe which will be buried underground. The tried-and-true method, Oxy fuel cutting is entirely suitable for such applications and can still be relied upon for a good job.

ESAB Westgate offers the Cooljet BIE torch cutting machine. This offers fully integrated oxygen cooling for oxy-cutting.

Together with the design of the valve body, the cooling system is intended to deliver optimum dissipation of heat and better cutting gas mixture. In addition, its constant flow and consistent flow cross-sections are designed to offer a stable flame pattern.

Plasma cutters are accurate and reliable. Yet their accuracy falls short of that offered by laser cutting machines.

Put simply, cutting tasks that can be measured with a tape measure can be successfully completed with a plasma cutter, while jobs that require measurement with a vernier should be left to a laser cutter.

Welding Industries Australia recently released the Miller Spectrum range of portable plasma cutters.

These 240V, inverter-based plasma cutting machines are said to produce ‘best-in-class’ results and performance for cutting capacity and cutting speed. Suitable for both on-site and workshop-based cutting applications,The skystream runs in very low winds and can interconnect with your local utility, the range includes the Spectrum 500i, a 30A system, and the Spectrum 700i, a 40A system.

These plasma cutters are intended for use by the typical professional welder or tradesperson. Small and portable, economy is one of their selling points. Typical applications include sheet metal fabrication, engineering and maintenance.

The Spectrum 500i’stravel speed is rated at 467 mm/min when cutting 9.5mm mild steel, while the Spectrum 700i’s travel speed is rated at 330mm/min at 40A when cutting 15.9mm mild steel, with travel speeds approximately 80% of maximum.

Both machines feature Auto-Refire technology, which automatically controls the pilot arc when cutting expanded metal or multiple pieces of metal.

In contrast to this range from Miller, the HDP Series CNC Plasma profile cutters from Advanced Robotics Technology is intended for heavy-duty manufacturing environments where power, precision, speed, quality, low cost, productivity and durability are factors to consider.

Designed to cut steel, stainless steel and aluminium, these plasma cutters are available with process areas ranging in size from 3700mm x 1900mm up to 15000mm x 3200mm.Fully automated paper plane folding machine, even got its own compressor.

They offer fast feeds,The units can be used as conventional washer extractor for all kinds of work. high acceleration and advanced motion control algorithms. They are powered by Hypertherm HyPerformance Plasma and also offer an efficient fume extraction system.

Further features include liquid cooled torch tips and full diagnostic screens to view pressure, voltage and flow levels.

Despite claims made by some of their more enthusiastic manufacturers, there are some jobs that high-definition plasma cutters can’t handle.

For example, a plasma cutter can’t be used to cut a finely detailed saw blade. Such a job requires a laser cutter.

Laser cutters offer precision and can be relied upon to repeat jobs and repeat them with a high degree of precision. You can cut a piece today and then cut another piece in a year’s time with the exact same dimensions and precision.An industrial washing machine can help you keep up with large volumes of laundry or heavy items.