Help with 1/4" aluminum cut quality

[Streetwerkz]

I need to cut these yesterday & am having a warping problem.

1/4" 6061 Aluminum
Hypertherm 1250
40 nozzle
40 amps
45 & 50 imp do & look the same
1" outer frame
1/2" bars with a 1/2" space

HELP!!!!

[jimcolt]

I don't know what machine you are using....but I have to assume that you have height control and are maintaining the proper standoff of 1/16".

The aluminum absorbs a lot of heat....so often it is better to go up a notch in power (to 60 amps) as the higher cut speeds will help. The 40 amp process can probably allow speeds up to about 75 inches per minute, but with a little more edge taper. The 60 amp process will cut well between 95 and 145 inches per minute, which may be enough to provide less heat input. I would also reorder the cut path for the slots...try to keep successive cuts as far away from each other as possible, possibly even spraying water (from an aerosal spray bottle) on as it is cutting. If you have a water table...raise the water level so it is contacting the bottom of the plate.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Streetwerkz]

I'll try the 60 amps, thanks!!

I'll post results good or bad soon

[jdh239]

Any updates?

[Streetwerkz]

Sorry for the delayed update.

pouring water on the material & using a spray bottle to follow the torch did help alot.... but not enough.
looks like I need to build a water table & maybe that would help.

the 2 biggest problems being the 1/2" bars moving vertical & horizontally to fast for the torch compensation & crashing.
or the bars would move horizontally/vertically which would cause the material to move on the cut path making for inaccurate measurements & looking like crap in general.

Until then I had to steer my client to a water jet cutting company as they needed the parts a.s.a.p.

[Bigrhamr]

I had some similar parts that were out of light steel and the horizontal warping and movement was a big problem.
I was able to do them by drawing in some shaker tabs in several locations so instead of dropping out the holes would stay conected on both sides by some 3/16" tabs until the part was all cut, then break them out and grind the tabs off. A pain but it worked.

[Streetwerkz]

Darn good idea, when I get some time to play I will have to try that out.

this is why I ask questions