Profile cutting with plasma cutter

[Powerweld]

I would want to know if you can use a profile cutter,
Like the one used in oxyacetylene cutting on a plasmer
cutter.
What material should I use to make plasmer tam plates and
how do I go about it.

[HayFarmer]

As in template cutting? If so yes it can be used that way. I make my templates from any rigid like cardboard, plywood sheet metal etc.

[Powerweld]

As in template cutting? If so yes it can be used that way. I make my templates from any rigid like cardboard, plywood sheet metal etc.

thanxs for the quick response.I dont know if you can assit me with how I could make a straight edge to use when I am cutting a side mounted fuel tank on the freightliner trucks.I will be opening and cleaning the inside or for the purpose of extensions.
Any form of flexible non conductor ,I not sure?

syncrowave 250 analogue version
dynasty 200dx
cutmaster 25 thermal dynamics

[MMW]

Roll a metal band & then stick flat rubber/foam weathersripping on the underside. This can also be done with straight edges or shape templates.

[Powerweld]

Roll a metal band & then stick flat rubber/foam weathersripping on the underside. This can also be done with straight edges or shape templates.

thank you for the insight.MMW and Hayfarmer

[snoeproe]

For straight cutting by hand on flat material with my plasma, I just clamp a piece of angle iron to the work and follow the edge of the angle iron with my plasma torch.
For more detailed cutting on flat material, I use my cnc table.

[HayFarmer]

Same here for straight cuts. Rather than a CNC table I make a template. If you go the template route remember its going to have to be bigger than the piece you're cutting to acct. for the torch thickness.

[Pat]

Same here for straight cuts. Rather than a CNC table I make a template. If you go the template route remember its going to have to be bigger than the piece you're cutting to acct. for the torch thickness.

HayFarmer,

Correct me if I am wrong and do not understand your method when using templates. I am thinking that one would want to use a template smaller than the actual item being cut, thus allowing for the approximate 1/2" width from the center of the electrode to the template. Just wondering because I have a project coming up and thought I was finally starting to understand the process. I will be cutting stainless and can't afford any mistakes.........thanks.

[MMW]

HayFarmer,

Correct me if I am wrong and do not understand your method when using templates. I am thinking that one would want to use a template smaller than the actual item being cut, thus allowing for the approximate 1/2" width from the center of the electrode to the template. Just wondering because I have a project coming up and thought I was finally starting to understand the process. I will be cutting stainless and can't afford any mistakes.........thanks.

You can either make the template an id or od template. Depends wether you are using the outside edge of the template or the inside edge as your guide. Same results from a different approach.

[Powerweld]

For straight cutting by hand on flat material with my plasma, I just clamp a piece of angle iron to the work and follow the edge of the angle iron with my plasma torch.
For more detailed cutting on flat material, I use my cnc table.

so the idea of a non conductive material for template or straight edge is not a rule of thumb

[HayFarmer]

thats right...I use angle b/c its quick and easy. Sometimes I use a large framing sq too which is some sort of zincish metal. Anything more complex is cardboard, wood, plastic etc. b/c its cheap and easy to cut. Throw outs are cardboard anything more and Ill use 1/4" plywood. I have all the tools to make a neat template from wood or plastic (phenol board usually). Phenol board lasts a long time but is somewhat expensive.

[MMW]

so the idea of a non conductive material for template or straight edge is not a rule of thumb

It depends on the torch/machine. The old esab machine we had could not touch the material being cut so we used rubber weatherstripping to isolate the templates. My Miller 875 has a drag tip which is isolated from the actual tip so it can touch the material. When not using the drag tip though I don't let it touch.