It seems the industry is always coming up with new technology that
makes today’s plasma systems markedly different from what was available
just a few years ago. I think one of the newest and most exciting
advances is Hypertherm’s Rapid Part technology. The technology helps
businesses increase their through-put by reducing the non-cutting (or
cut-to-cut cycle) time that is a part of most any cutting operation.
Normally, when a cut is completed, the torch retracts from the plate by
several inches, moves on to the next pierce location, performs an
initial height sense and goes on to pre-flow the gases for piercing.
When timed, this commonly adds up to six to seven seconds for each
cut-to-cut cycle, which can quickly accumulate to a significant amount
of time in a day. It isn’t unusual at all for the non-cutting time to
easily surpass the actual time the torch spends cutting. Working in
concert with the right software, Rapid Part technology targets and
optimizes four aspects of the total cutting process—torch retract, table
motion, initial height sensing, and gas pre-flow—to significantly
reduce non-cutting time. It works as follows:
- Torch Retract: Rapid vertical (Z-axis) motion using the ArcGlide® THC intelligently retracts the torch to the next pierce height, rather than fully retracting it after each pierce. The torch travels closer to the plate at high speed and transitions to slow speed and optimum pierce height automatically.
- Table Motion: Optimized motion instructions minimize the chances of torch collision and the distance between the end of one cut and the pierce on the next part.
- Intelligent Height Sensing: Sets the torch at the correct height for the next pierce, based on material and part properties. The system also minimizes the chance of torch collisions and unnecessary torch Z-axis motion by applying optimized avoidance paths, including partial or full torch raises.
- Gas Pre-Flow: Instead of waiting until the torch is in the position, the gas pre-flow occurs while the torch is moving to next cut, eliminating idle time at each pierce. The torch is designed to fire quickly using rapid ignition technology, which eliminates long purge cycles.
The most significant productivity gains are
achieved on nests using thin plate with a high quantity of parts or
pierces. The more pierces there are on a given plate, the greater the
time savings. However, productivity gains are made no matter what you’re
cutting. The benefits for businesses are clear. There is less wasted
time during the cutting process, so it is possible to increase the
number of parts produced per hour—in some cases up to 100
percent—without having to add additional employees or purchase
additional tables. Better yet, this reduction in cut-to-cut cycle time
is automated, without the need for operator intervention.
Here is a short video about Rapid Part technology:
-Derek
Here is a short video about Rapid Part technology:
-Derek
