Improved Plasma Cutting of Thin and Thick Stainless Steel

These new technologies improve pierce performance and create extremely sharp and consistent top edge quality, a shiny surface finish, and superior angularity with reduced angle variation.

Hypertherm (Hanover, NH), a U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced cutting systems, offers several new technologies that deliver improved plasma cutting performance on both thin and thick stainless steel.

The advances for HPRXD® systems include new HDi (HyDefinition inox) technology for leading cut performance on thin (less than ¼ in thick) stainless steel. HDi technology uses the vented nozzle process to create extremely sharp top edge quality, a shiny surface finish, and superior angularity with reduced angle variation.

Additionally, fabricators can expect to see more consistent cut quality throughout the life of their consumables – a hallmark of true HyDefinition cutting now applied to thin stainless steel for the first time. Pierce performance on thick stainless steel is significantly improved as well.

Patented PowerPierce® technology and an innovative new controlled motion pierce process combine to enable piercing on stainless steel up to 4 in thick. Along with a unique gas mixing process for superior cutting of mid-range thicknesses, Hypertherm offers industry leading performance across the full range of stainless steel plasma cutting applications, from thin to very thick.

“These important new technologies further extend the performance advantages of HPRXD systems and provide our customers with the tools they need to meet their business goals,” said Aaron Brandt, the leader of the Mechanized Systems team. “Further, they demonstrate our commitment to advanced research and development that moves the metal cutting industry forward.”

In addition to its stainless steel enhancements, the company has also introduced a new set of parameters that deliver improved fine feature cutting on mild steel up to 1 in thick. These settings are available for all customers with an HPRXD autogas system and work in combination with the patented True Hole® technology. Finally, Hypertherm is also launching a new 200-amp process for mild steel bevel cutting and detailed settings for underwater cutting of mild steel up to 1¾ in thick.

Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes handheld and mechanized plasma and laser systems, consumables, as well as CNC motion and height controls and CAM cutting software.

Hypertherm systems are trusted for performance and reliability that results in increased productivity and profitability for tens of thousands of businesses. The New Hampshire-based company’s reputation for metal cutting innovation dates back more than 40 years, to 1968, with Hypertherm’s invention of water injection plasma cutting.

The associate-owned company, consistently named one of the best places to work in America, has more than 1,200 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide. www.hypertherm.com