Explore Torchmate CNC Cutting Tables's board 'Torchmate', followed by 139 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about Plasma cutting, Cnc plasma and Cnc plasma cutter.
- Forum Actions
- Quick Links
Thread Tools
Display
- Aluminum
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Location
- victoria,Australia
- Posts
- 95
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 44
- Likes (Received)
- 12
plasma water table design
Hi I'm new here and thought this would be a good place to ask,I'm planning to build a water table for a 6x10 torchmate X with a hypertherm HPR130xd plasma,with oxygen/propane,and what things should I be considering in the design of the water table,is it beneficial to have an adjustable water level,can I rig some sort of sensor to control the level?
And what about pump's and filtration? I hope to be able to easily drain it for cleaning. I was thinking stainless for all parts that hold water,is this a smart choice? what sort of overall depth is good,I was thinking 6'?
It's basically just a job shop application,so one minute it could be cutting 2inch plate and the next 1/8' and lighter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex - Titanium
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Location
- California, Central Coast
- Posts
- 2,796
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 2090
- Likes (Received)
- 1022
A friend of mine has a shop with plasma set up in it and he did not use a water table because he was told the water was 'toxic waste' after soaking up all the plasma smoke and gas. That is what he told me anyway. May be worth looking into. He ended up with a skirt around the bottom of the table to contain smoke and vent it out of building- big help with the mess.
Rob - Hot Rolled
- Join Date
- Oct 2011
- Country
- CANADA
- State/Province
- British Columbia
- Posts
- 601
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 34
- Likes (Received)
- 380
Normally the water is drained into a tank. You open an air valve and push the water out of the holding tank and into your table area. Shut of the air when you reach the required level. Release the air from the tank and the water drains back leaving the cutting area dry. With the water out you remove the grating and scrape the mud out.
- Cast Iron
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Hanover NH
- Posts
- 397
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 0
- Likes (Received)
- 168
You should actually take a good look at Torchmates water table design....it has a pnematic raise lower system for the water....which makes for easy small part drop retrievals as well as easy periodic cleanout of the sludge.These raise lower tables have been in widespread use on industrial plasma's since the 1970's. The water is not toxic waste unless you cut something toxic. Generally there are fine particles of the material being cut in the water...let it set still for a few hours and the water will be clear...particles in the bottom. There are additives you can purchase in concentrated liquid and powder form that will treat the water to keep bacteria/fungus/smell away.....and can also prevent rust on the table, slats and material being cut.
Consider a downdraft table as well. the best cuts with plasma on steel are dry....with no water splash. Water tables will cause water splash/stains/rust on the material being cut as well as on the rails of the machine. Water splashing on the cut edge will create rougher striations on the cut edge and more dross....but on some cutting jobs can minimized warpage and camber in your parts.
Jim Colt HyperthermOriginally Posted by Ajc123Hi I'm new here and thought this would be a good place to ask,I'm planning to build a water table for a 6x10 torchmate X with a hypertherm HPR130xd plasma,with oxygen/propane,and what things should I be considering in the design of the water table,is it beneficial to have an adjustable water level,can I rig some sort of sensor to control the level?
And what about pump's and filtration? I hope to be able to easily drain it for cleaning. I was thinking stainless for all parts that hold water,is this a smart choice? what sort of overall depth is good,I was thinking 6'?
It's basically just a job shop application,so one minute it could be cutting 2inch plate and the next 1/8' and lighter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex - Aluminum
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Location
- victoria,Australia
- Posts
- 95
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 44
- Likes (Received)
- 12
thank's for the replies, I'm actually seriously considering a zoned downdraft table with the ability to flood it when needed after doing some more research on the subject , with a woodworking cyclone system as the fan,all metal of course, is the dry cut quality the same for most metals such as stainless,4130,brass,copper and it may even see inconel rarely? How bad would the warpage typically be,the thinnest the machine will probably see is 1mm (mostly only metal art stuff,so I do not think the warpage would be that huge a deal in that situation), is there way's to keep it under control on a downdraft table? with adjusting the cut path for example?
- Diamond
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Country
- UNITED STATES
- State/Province
- Pennsylvania
- Posts
- 13,642
- Post Thanks / Like
Jim,
been working on neighbors 5 x 10 torchmate, and then we moved it to another building.
I have watched another downdraft machine (mg using a 20 h.p. fan) while very nice,
the fan is quite a large expense, and doesn't address the plate warping problem.
I have run/programmed machines, mostly with water over the part, which works well.
The problem is, every machine I see with a water table is rusty and covered with dirt.
I suggested to the torchmate neighbor to take an existing exhaust blower/filter unit,
to add a 4' flexible duct right onto the torch carrier, so he can run water, and maybe
capture most of the damaging steam. He liked the idea, but is too busy right now with
other projects.
Anyone ever run this set-up ? - Mark McGrathDiamond
- Join Date
- Mar 2002
- Location
- Scotland
- Posts
- 4,232
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 1019
- Likes (Received)
- 472
Be very careful if cutting aluminium on a water table as hydrogen can collect under the plate and explode.Hypertherm recommend making and running an aeration manifold in the tank if using water.
- Cast Iron
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Hanover NH
- Posts
- 397
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 0
- Likes (Received)
- 168
Warpage is normally not a problem (even on a dry cutting table) if you are using the correct process power level and cut speed. Using too large of a nozzle with the current (amps) too high....or cuting too slow, both allow too much heat input and will impact warpage. There are many cnc plasma machines that have an upper speed limit of about 120 to 150 ipm, these speeds are adequate for low power cutting of materials thicker than about 10 gauge. The recommended cut speed for 16 gauge with a Hypertherm Powermax is around 250 ipm...with the smallest FineCut consumables, for 20 gauge it is 325 ipm. Any slower and you get warpage.
Another cause of warpage when plasma cutting is incorrect height....a little too high and you will get more heat input and more dross and more edge angularity. An accurate height control is the best fix. Many use a water table to cove up for cutting with too much power, too slow, and without a eight control. The water tables cooling effect will minimize warpage....but will also create more dross and a rougher cut edge.
I have a 4 x 4 PlasmaCam and a 2 x 4 torchmate. The PlasmaCam is a downdraft. I use a 3200 cfm (1/2 HP motor) restaurant fan with three 8' round ducts from under the enclosed cutting bed. The fan is wall mounted and simply blows outside. I have no smoke and no warpage.
The Torchmate has a water tray.....I have to clean the water off the ways everytime I use it....or a lot of rust develops!
The downdraft sucks the heat out of my shop in the winter, rather quickly! Regardless, I much prefer the cleanliness and better cut quality on the downdraft.
Cutting aluminum creates a byproduct of aluminum oxide particles...when the particles sink in a water tray...they tend to absorb oxygen from the water...take oxugen away from H2O, and you leave hydrogen which forms small bubbles and rises to the surface of the water. Under normal conditions they simply pop and dissipate into the air. If there is an area in your water table wher the bubbles can become trapped (under a bracket, under a plate with an upward bow, etc.) eventually the hydrogen can acumulate and burn. There have been a few industrial machines that (over time) trapped enough hydrogen to cause a plate to move....but normally you will simply see a bit of flame blow out from under the aluminum. Still....the hydrogen buildup is somethingwe should be concerened with in some applications...generally not on small tables with a simple water tray.
Jim Colt HyperthermOriginally Posted by digger dougJim,
been working on neighbors 5 x 10 torchmate, and then we moved it to another building.
I have watched another downdraft machine (mg using a 20 h.p. fan) while very nice,
the fan is quite a large expense, and doesn't address the plate warping problem.
I have run/programmed machines, mostly with water over the part, which works well.
The problem is, every machine I see with a water table is rusty and covered with dirt.
I suggested to the torchmate neighbor to take an existing exhaust blower/filter unit,
to add a 4' flexible duct right onto the torch carrier, so he can run water, and maybe
capture most of the damaging steam. He liked the idea, but is too busy right now with
other projects.
Anyone ever run this set-up ?
- Site Areas
- Forums
- Manufacturing Today
- Specific Machine Forums
- Open Discussion
- Commerce
- Machinery Manual, Brochure and Photo Archives
- Forum features
«Previous Thread | Next Thread»
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
- BB code is On
- Smilies are On
- [IMG] code is On
- [VIDEO] code is On
- HTML code is Off
- Forum Actions
- Quick Links
Thread Tools
Display
- Aluminum
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Location
- victoria,Australia
- Posts
- 95
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 44
- Likes (Received)
- 12
plasma water table design
Hi I'm new here and thought this would be a good place to ask,I'm planning to build a water table for a 6x10 torchmate X with a hypertherm HPR130xd plasma,with oxygen/propane,and what things should I be considering in the design of the water table,is it beneficial to have an adjustable water level,can I rig some sort of sensor to control the level?
And what about pump's and filtration? I hope to be able to easily drain it for cleaning. I was thinking stainless for all parts that hold water,is this a smart choice? what sort of overall depth is good,I was thinking 6'?
It's basically just a job shop application,so one minute it could be cutting 2inch plate and the next 1/8' and lighter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex - Titanium
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Location
- California, Central Coast
- Posts
- 2,796
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 2090
- Likes (Received)
- 1022
A friend of mine has a shop with plasma set up in it and he did not use a water table because he was told the water was 'toxic waste' after soaking up all the plasma smoke and gas. That is what he told me anyway. May be worth looking into. He ended up with a skirt around the bottom of the table to contain smoke and vent it out of building- big help with the mess.
Rob - Hot Rolled
- Join Date
- Oct 2011
- Country
- CANADA
- State/Province
- British Columbia
- Posts
- 601
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 34
- Likes (Received)
- 380
Normally the water is drained into a tank. You open an air valve and push the water out of the holding tank and into your table area. Shut of the air when you reach the required level. Release the air from the tank and the water drains back leaving the cutting area dry. With the water out you remove the grating and scrape the mud out.
- Cast Iron
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Hanover NH
- Posts
- 397
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 0
- Likes (Received)
- 168
You should actually take a good look at Torchmates water table design....it has a pnematic raise lower system for the water....which makes for easy small part drop retrievals as well as easy periodic cleanout of the sludge.These raise lower tables have been in widespread use on industrial plasma's since the 1970's. The water is not toxic waste unless you cut something toxic. Generally there are fine particles of the material being cut in the water...let it set still for a few hours and the water will be clear...particles in the bottom. There are additives you can purchase in concentrated liquid and powder form that will treat the water to keep bacteria/fungus/smell away.....and can also prevent rust on the table, slats and material being cut.
Consider a downdraft table as well. the best cuts with plasma on steel are dry....with no water splash. Water tables will cause water splash/stains/rust on the material being cut as well as on the rails of the machine. Water splashing on the cut edge will create rougher striations on the cut edge and more dross....but on some cutting jobs can minimized warpage and camber in your parts.
Jim Colt HyperthermOriginally Posted by Ajc123Hi I'm new here and thought this would be a good place to ask,I'm planning to build a water table for a 6x10 torchmate X with a hypertherm HPR130xd plasma,with oxygen/propane,and what things should I be considering in the design of the water table,is it beneficial to have an adjustable water level,can I rig some sort of sensor to control the level?
And what about pump's and filtration? I hope to be able to easily drain it for cleaning. I was thinking stainless for all parts that hold water,is this a smart choice? what sort of overall depth is good,I was thinking 6'?
It's basically just a job shop application,so one minute it could be cutting 2inch plate and the next 1/8' and lighter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex - Aluminum
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Location
- victoria,Australia
- Posts
- 95
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 44
- Likes (Received)
- 12
thank's for the replies, I'm actually seriously considering a zoned downdraft table with the ability to flood it when needed after doing some more research on the subject , with a woodworking cyclone system as the fan,all metal of course, is the dry cut quality the same for most metals such as stainless,4130,brass,copper and it may even see inconel rarely? How bad would the warpage typically be,the thinnest the machine will probably see is 1mm (mostly only metal art stuff,so I do not think the warpage would be that huge a deal in that situation), is there way's to keep it under control on a downdraft table? with adjusting the cut path for example?
- Diamond
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Country
- UNITED STATES
- State/Province
- Pennsylvania
- Posts
- 13,642
- Post Thanks / Like
Jim,
been working on neighbors 5 x 10 torchmate, and then we moved it to another building.
I have watched another downdraft machine (mg using a 20 h.p. fan) while very nice,
the fan is quite a large expense, and doesn't address the plate warping problem.
I have run/programmed machines, mostly with water over the part, which works well.
The problem is, every machine I see with a water table is rusty and covered with dirt.
I suggested to the torchmate neighbor to take an existing exhaust blower/filter unit,
to add a 4' flexible duct right onto the torch carrier, so he can run water, and maybe
capture most of the damaging steam. He liked the idea, but is too busy right now with
other projects.
Anyone ever run this set-up ? - Mark McGrathDiamond
- Join Date
- Mar 2002
- Location
- Scotland
- Posts
- 4,232
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 1019
- Likes (Received)
- 472
Be very careful if cutting aluminium on a water table as hydrogen can collect under the plate and explode.Hypertherm recommend making and running an aeration manifold in the tank if using water.
- Cast Iron
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Hanover NH
- Posts
- 397
- Post Thanks / Like
- Likes (Given)
- 0
- Likes (Received)
- 168
Warpage is normally not a problem (even on a dry cutting table) if you are using the correct process power level and cut speed. Using too large of a nozzle with the current (amps) too high....or cuting too slow, both allow too much heat input and will impact warpage. There are many cnc plasma machines that have an upper speed limit of about 120 to 150 ipm, these speeds are adequate for low power cutting of materials thicker than about 10 gauge. The recommended cut speed for 16 gauge with a Hypertherm Powermax is around 250 ipm...with the smallest FineCut consumables, for 20 gauge it is 325 ipm. Any slower and you get warpage.
Another cause of warpage when plasma cutting is incorrect height....a little too high and you will get more heat input and more dross and more edge angularity. An accurate height control is the best fix. Many use a water table to cove up for cutting with too much power, too slow, and without a eight control. The water tables cooling effect will minimize warpage....but will also create more dross and a rougher cut edge.
I have a 4 x 4 PlasmaCam and a 2 x 4 torchmate. The PlasmaCam is a downdraft. I use a 3200 cfm (1/2 HP motor) restaurant fan with three 8' round ducts from under the enclosed cutting bed. The fan is wall mounted and simply blows outside. I have no smoke and no warpage.
The Torchmate has a water tray.....I have to clean the water off the ways everytime I use it....or a lot of rust develops!
The downdraft sucks the heat out of my shop in the winter, rather quickly! Regardless, I much prefer the cleanliness and better cut quality on the downdraft.
Cutting aluminum creates a byproduct of aluminum oxide particles...when the particles sink in a water tray...they tend to absorb oxygen from the water...take oxugen away from H2O, and you leave hydrogen which forms small bubbles and rises to the surface of the water. Under normal conditions they simply pop and dissipate into the air. If there is an area in your water table wher the bubbles can become trapped (under a bracket, under a plate with an upward bow, etc.) eventually the hydrogen can acumulate and burn. There have been a few industrial machines that (over time) trapped enough hydrogen to cause a plate to move....but normally you will simply see a bit of flame blow out from under the aluminum. Still....the hydrogen buildup is somethingwe should be concerened with in some applications...generally not on small tables with a simple water tray.
Jim Colt HyperthermOriginally Posted by digger dougJim,
been working on neighbors 5 x 10 torchmate, and then we moved it to another building.
I have watched another downdraft machine (mg using a 20 h.p. fan) while very nice,
the fan is quite a large expense, and doesn't address the plate warping problem.
I have run/programmed machines, mostly with water over the part, which works well.
The problem is, every machine I see with a water table is rusty and covered with dirt.
I suggested to the torchmate neighbor to take an existing exhaust blower/filter unit,
to add a 4' flexible duct right onto the torch carrier, so he can run water, and maybe
capture most of the damaging steam. He liked the idea, but is too busy right now with
other projects.
Anyone ever run this set-up ?
- Site Areas
- Forums
- Manufacturing Today
- Specific Machine Forums
- Open Discussion
- Commerce
- Machinery Manual, Brochure and Photo Archives
- Forum features
«Previous Thread | Next Thread»
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
- BB code is On
- Smilies are On
- [IMG] code is On
- [VIDEO] code is On
- HTML code is Off