PRODUCT REVIEWS
Reduced piercing times on steel
Thermal Dynamics ® Automation has upgraded its 400-amp cutting system — featuring Ultra-Cut ® 400 XT power source , XT torch with QuickPierce consumables and iCNC Performance Controller — to reduce piercing time by up to 40 % on mild steel thicknesses ranging from 30 to 50mm . Faster piercing time reduces cycle time , especially for plates with a complex parts nest .
Thermal Dynamics has also improved the front-end components on its 400-amp consumables and made several other arcstarting enhancements designed to increase parts life , cut longer between consumable changes and lower total cut cost .
“ We improved the gas flow routine within the Ultra-Cut ® 400 XT high-precision power source and the 400-amp QuickPierce consumables feature more shielding gas ports on the shield cap ,” explained Dirk Ott , VP - Global Mechanised Plasma Systems , Thermal Dynamics Automation . “ By increasing gas pressure during arc start , we reduce pierce time . Combined with the additional shielding gas ports , we deflect more molten metal away from the consumables . Thermal Dynamics offers a robust solution for cutting steel up to 50mm thick .”
The company has further improved consumables ’ life by adding pierce-on-the-fly and pierce-puddle-avoidance routines within its iCNC Performance Control . Traditional piercing routines keep the torch positioned over one spot until the plasma jet pierces completely through the plate . Once the controller senses the pierce , it then moves the torch along the cut path . This routine inherently exposes the consumables to more molten metal .
“ Pierce-on-the-fly starts moving the torch after about one-third of the total pierce time ,” said Ott . “ The groove behind the torch provides an evacuation path for the molten metal , reducing its impact on the consumables . Also , you don ’ t have to cut through slag puddle at the end of the cut , which promotes a cleaner cut .”
Pierce-puddle-avoidance also extends consumables life by preventing the front end of the torch from touching the puddle during arc start . During arc start , the torch touches the plate , moves to an arc initiation height
Plasma cutting operations .
( which is relatively low ) and starts the arc . After a split second , the controller raises the torch to a higher level , holds it there until the arc penetrates the plate and then lowers the torch to cutting height .
“ Pierce-puddle-avoidance keeps the torch at a higher level for a second or two longer to minimise the impact of spatter and the chance of touching the puddle ,” explained Ott .
Additional enhancements to 400-amp consumables extend life , lower total cost and promote consistent cut quality on material up to 50mm .
The company also offers a cost savings calculator that enables fabricators to see how much they can save by upgrading to a Thermal Dynamics system . n
. thermal-dynamics . com
New releases of 123insight and 123mobile
123 Insight Limited has just announced the release of v10.12 of its core 123insight MRP / ERP manufacturing software and v1.45 of its 123mobile stores and shop floor tablet-based software .
“ 123insight v10.12 allows users to store EORI ( Economic Operators Registration and Identification ) numbers against both customers and suppliers , which can then be easily added to any documents or reports . The optional Data Import Toolkit has also been updated , allowing companies migrating to 123insight to automatically import these fields . V10.12 also includes the ability to restrict miscellaneous transactions by location ratings , such as allowing or denying
staff to adjust existing batches or perform unplanned issues from stock ,” explained the manufacturer .
123 Insight ’ s tablet-based app 123mobile v1.45 includes several new functions to aid staff in stores and on the shop floor . Users can now issue a part to multiple works orders simultaneously , with the ability to view any batches that were issued along with any serial numbers . Stores requests can also now be issued directly from the app , and users can also now perform partial bin transfers of selected batches .
Simon Badger , Managing Director , 123 insight Ltd .
Simon Badger , the company ’ s managing director , commented : “ These enhancements to 123insight continue to help manufacturers navigate the complexities of Brexit , while 123mobile allows companies to move away from PCs in the stock room and on the shop floor , instead giving the staff the opportunity to use low-cost tablets . This means less walking , no sharing a PC and greater social distancing .”
All 123insight customers can update to the latest version at no cost under the monthly subscription . A remote update service is available for £ 295 . n
48 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR May 2021