Plasma profiler is fast and accurate
Machinery - the home of production engineers
Home Advertise Magazine Events MYTV Used machine tools
  


Plasma profiler is fast and accurate
January 2008 Email to a friend
 
Plasma profiler is fast and accurate

Plasma profiler is fast and accurateSyscom Motion Solutions (SMS) has designed and built the SmartPLASMA machine using brushless servomotors, creating a plasma cutter able to cut highly intricate designs in metal.

The SMS SmartPLASMA is available in standard sizes of 2 by 1 and 3 by 1.5 m and custom sizes can also be accommodated. A choice of plasma torch is also available on each machine.

JENCNC software performs CNC functions and controls the height of the torch on the fly so the system can more closely follow the contours of the plates. Software optimises DXF files for plasma and oxy-fuel cut paths and implements other features such as re-sizing objects.

The benefit of servos is that they can be geared up so can run at high speeds and sit on a lighter framework than any stepmotor with a comparable performance. The servos used are the SM2315D SmartMotor from the Animatics Corporation, California.

The system uses three or four SmartMotors, two precision gearboxes, and an integrated arc voltage torch-height control system. The gantry system is light but stiff. The reason for this is that the cutting machine is often called upon to create intricate features that involve rapid reversals and direction changes at speeds of up to 200 ipm. Thus a stiff frame and the acc/dec performance of the motors are both extremely important for making these moves accurately. Moreover, there are no side forces on plasma cutters, so there was no need for a massive gantry structure to compensate.

 
Author
Andrew Allcock
 
 
This material is protected by Findlay Media copyright 2010.
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.
 
Bookmark this article using:
 
Del.icio.us digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon
 
 
Your comments / feedback
Do you have any comments or feedback on this article? Please contact us by filling in the form below.
NameHide name
Your Email Address
Comments
Send
We may edit your comments and not all entries will be published.
Terms and Conditions

To comment on news stories or blogs you need to complete our 60 second registration process. Once completed this then allows you to download any and all white papers, register for e-zines and access our detailed supplier directory for FREE.

If you are all ready a registered user then enter your e-mail address and login.

You will need to have logged in prior to entering your comments in the boxes provided.

Please enter your email address to login and gain free access to this site.
 
If you are using this site for the first time registration is quick and completely free.
 
Register Now - Register Now


Email Address :  

Remember Me: - If this box is ticked you will be automatically logged in when you return.

Important: To protect your privacy, do not select 'Remember Me' if other users have access to the computer you are using.

 
Related Companies
SMS Machines & Automation Ltd
 
 
Related News
Plasma cutting consumables from ESAB
 
Water jet cutting spares and consumables from Wightman Stewart
 
PCD insert production breakthrough
 
MAG's aerospace profiler awarded three design patents
 
Refurbished cutting machines available from ESAB
 
 
Related Technology
Partnership developments
 
Better punching and profiling
 
First in UK installation
 
The abrasive truth about composites
 
Progressive investment
 
 
Related Products
WARDJet R-Series suits large water jet cutting applications
 
TruLaser 3030 Lean edition laser cutting system
 
Water jet profiling with intuitive control
 
Made for pure water jet cutting
 
Plasma technology offers benefits
 
 
Related Events
MACH 2010