Jim Colt
Articles by Jim Colt
Plasma Cutting Tips for Small Welding Shops
Light industrial CNC plasma cutting options now make it possible for small home-based businesses and hobbyists to complete amazing jobs that were almost impossible a decade ago. These new plasma cutting systems can provide great performance at even better prices, but make sure they fit your needs before getting started so that you aren’t disappointed.
Optimize the Use of Your Plasma Cutting Consumables
Often neglected in the push to get more parts of higher quality off the cutting table per shift are the very components that generate the high temperature plasma cutting arc. Up to 40 percent of the torch consumable parts that are typically scrapped can often be re-used with excellent cut quality.
Beware of Bad Bargains
Watch out for artificially low prices on aftermarket plasma torch consumable parts. Before you buy, it is important to be aware of a few of the poor performance issues and risk of torch damage that your shop will experience if you purchase imitation consumables.
In the Market for a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine?
Technology can make it difficult to choose the proper system to best fit your current application and also meet your future needs. Here are some important considerations that will help you make the correct selections for your application.
Finishing Touch: Integrated Plasma Cutting
As the next natural progression in the evolution of mechanized plasma cutting, Jim Colt of Hypertherm explains how many shops are changing the roles of their programmers and the operators by switching to integrated CNC plasma cutting systems that draw more expertise from the CAM database to achieve cut consistency, increased productivity and lower cutting costs.
State of the Art: CNC Plasma Cutting Software
Buyer’s Choice: A better understanding of the necessary software required for the newest highly productive CNC plasma machines separates the investment of a hands-on, low volume shop from one with high volume, repeatable parts. Here are the reasons why.
DECIDING ON THE RIGHT SHEET AND PLATE CUTTING PROCESS
When investing in new CNC sheet or plate contour cutting equipment, which process will best cover all of the requirements? Jim Colt of Hypertherm explores how the answer lies in knowing how to use plasma, oxy-fuel, laser, or abrasive waterjet processes most effectively.
HOW TO EVALUATE ENTRY LEVEL PLASMA CNC MACHINES
A large market has developed for low cost CNC plasma cutting machines used by hobbyists and homeowners, small welding shops, and even maintenance departments of larger companies to cut precise parts in house without breaking the bank. These machines can provide great performance at even better prices, but make sure they fit your needs. Jim Colt of Hypertherm examines what you need to look for.
PLASMA CUTTING: VERSATILE FOR BOTH MANUAL AND MECHANIZED CUTTING APPLICATIONS
The cut quality, consumable life and reliability of the plasma cutters used in the past is just that – a memory of the past! Let’s evaluate the different categories of new plasma cutting systems to show how they can benefit those fabricators of steel parts that have traditionally used traditionally oxy-fuel cutting.
Torch Height Control for Automated Plasma Cutting Applications
Here’s why accurate control of the torch to work distance during all phases and types of plasma cutting operations can be the key to dramatic improvements in cut quality, consumable life, as well as productivity and throughput of the cutting machine.
NEW PLASMA CUTTING TECHNOLOGY TAKES CARE OF THE ‘HOLE’ ISSUE
Users of mechanized plasma cutting for plate in the gauge to 1 in thick range can now benefit from a major technological breakthrough. Improved plasma bolt hole cutting can now produce holes that rival drilled holes and plate laser cut holes — at the speed and operating cost of plasma!
