Plasma Cutting Galvanized Sheet Metal

Automatic cutting steel with a thickness of 1 5 mm using plasma.

Plasma cutting galvanized sheet metal.

When cutting coated metals such as galvanized steel lead or cadmium plated steel remove the coating from the cutting area if possible. Mild steel o 2 plasma air shield 130 a cutting 220173 220183 220176 220179220182 220181 metric english select gases set preflow set cutflow material thickness arc voltage torch to work distance cutting speed initial pierce height pierce delay time plasma shield plasma shield plasma shield mm volts mm mm m mm factor seconds o 2 air 32 32 84. Use 1 hand to lift 1 half of the sheet metal while using your opposite hand to cut along your pre marked line with slow gradual cuts. Cutting out hvac fittings was slow and labor intensive.

Cnc plasma cutting sheet metal 50 amps duration. The machine thermal cutting of metals rur 3500 with respect to its structural and dynamic. Generally for galvanized sheets. Presently we shear and punch parts from a 4x12 sheet.

It took an experienced tinsmith with strong hands to slice through galvanized steel all day. The zinc in galvanized steel can react with moisture from the scrap metal creating a highly flammable stream of hydrogen that shoots out when the outer layer of galvanized steel is cut. The process of using tin snips is very similar to using scissors. Arrange the teeth of your tin snips over the marked line on your sheet metal.

I have an application that would lend itself to a plasma cutter i think. Just 20 years ago most heating ventilation and air conditioning hvac ductwork was cut by hand with snips and shears. Average size of the part is about 12 x6 with various cut outs and holes if i could use the plasma to cut these parts out it would save a lot of time. Prevent an explosion from such a reaction by treating such cutting as if high pressure gas is inside the compartment when you start cutting.

These coatings and any metal containing these elements can give off toxic fumes when cut with a plasma arc always read the material safety data sheets msds for all coatings metals and consumables. It took even more skill to get the cuts and bends just right to coax flat panels of sheet metal into precise 3 d forms. We cut galvanized steel ranging from 20 to 10 ga. How to join galvanized metal without melting the galvanized coating duration.