Plasma Cutting Nonferrous Metals

[CaptPatrick]

Greetings All,

Just added a Miller Spectrum 375 Plasma Cutter to my shop. While most of the cutting work will be on sheet steel, I for see several instances where I will want to cut nonferrous metals, including brass & aluminum.

I have an extensive background with nonferrous, (except with regard to plasma cutting), and know that there is going to be puddling and possible weld back in the kerf.

If any of have experience in cutting nonferrous metals with a plasm machine and would care to impart your experiences, down falls, and work arounds, your input would be greatly appreciated!

BTW: A buddy sent me a link to company called PlasmaCAM. I've pretty much reviewed their entire site and was impressed enough to pass along the info.

Best regards,

Patrick

[paulrbrown]

CaptPatrick, I have cut quite a bit of Aluminum with plasma, up to 3/8" with a 40 amp Hyertherm. The biggest thing you will notice is the raggedy cut compared to steel/stainless. You will also not be able to cut as thick of material due to heatsink properties of both brass,copper,and aluminum. I have never experienced the puddling or weldback due to the high heat of plasma and force of air blowing out the kerf. Make sure you have a dry airsupply, or you will be going through electrodes and tips like mad. Best Regards, Paul

[CaptPatrick]

Thanks Paul!

Out there practicing now... Most of the nonferrous stock that I anticipate cutting will be around 0.125". I have a couple of instrument panel bezels that I've been getting hydro cut, (CAD/CAM). The PlasmaCAM had me thinking of using a plasma to do the work, but it'd be impossible to produce the near polished quality of a hydro kerf. Always lookin' at new toys though.

Br,

Patrick

[CaptPatrick]

Thanks Paul!

Out there practicing now... Most of the nonferrous stock that I anticipate cutting will be around 0.125". I have a couple of instrument panel bezels that I've been getting hydro cut, (CAD/CAM). The PlasmaCAM had me thinking of using a plasma to do the work, but it'd be impossible to produce the near polished quality of a hydro kerf. Always lookin' at new toys though.

Br,

Patrick

[paulrbrown]

Captain: Stay with the Hydro, it is probably the ultimate for cutting Aluminum, it is smoother usually than milling with CNC. The CNC Plasma maachines I have seen usually still have some dross on steel, my trick to quickly remove is to take a pair of sidecutters'****s' and lightly grab and twist, you don't want to be cutting it off, just breaking it off, lots faster than grinding. BTW, they use hydro for stone,fish, and chicken, no kerf waste and no tearing so very clean and sanitary. Man, to have a spare 75 Grand lying about. I also enjoyed you boat site, nice work, I tried it on a 1959 GradyWhite, but after getting the Douglas Fir plywood LapStrakes looking like a car, every thing that bumped into it pulled the epoxy/urethane coatings off. Paul