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IndustryArena Forum > Material Technology > Material Machining Solutions > Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    5

    Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Dear CNCer’s,

    I’m thinking of developing a new business unit in at work for cutting stainless steel.
    The product is a set of steel plates to supply the armored car industry and consists of about 150 pounds of (1/8) inch plates, cut and folded in different shapes. (Will try to attach an example photo).









    I understood that there are several ways of doing it with cnc machines with plasma, laser and water jet.
    I’d like to get some hints to help find the better cost x benefit technology and I’d very thankful for some knowledge.

    Best, Fernão

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5728

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    If you want a lot of identical parts like that, do it with die-stamping and a punch press. The round holes are probably pretty standard; you might need to make a custom die for the rounded rectangle. If every part's going to be different, then it might be worth doing it with a waterjet or something like that.
    Andrew Werby
    Website

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    17

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    how many parts a day/week/month do you need made?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    5

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Dear Awerby,

    The trick is the pieces are not identical, in fact they're tailor made in several different sizes and shapes.
    I'll be considering waterjet but the budget is a little high for the payback...

    Best,

    f


    Quote Originally Posted by awerby View Post
    If you want a lot of identical parts like that, do it with die-stamping and a punch press. The round holes are probably pretty standard; you might need to make a custom die for the rounded rectangle. If every part's going to be different, then it might be worth doing it with a waterjet or something like that.
    - - - Updated - - -

    Dear WD40,

    Some 300 a day.

    Rgs, fernao

    Quote Originally Posted by CRO-WD40 View Post
    how many parts a day/week/month do you need made?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    6028

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Consumables and maintenance on a water jet can be high. A laser would be cheaper in the long run.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    5

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    And how about those high definition plasmas from Hypertherm?

    Rgds, gabe

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    6028

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    I know very little about plasma other than the one we got rid of was only good for rough cuts in thick material. The water jets took all the plasma work away. All our sheet metal is cut on an old laser.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    303

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    I second underthetire's comment above - Waterjets will bleed you with the consumables - the garnet and replacement nozzles will have a huge impact on cost.
    I would definitely go with a laser; 1/8" ss should be able to be cut with a 3kw machine.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    2247

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Stainless steel in that thickness range and volume......and likely accuracy requirements.....is a job for laser in the 2 to 3 kW range. It will be an expensive machine to purchase ($400k plus) but over time it will be the most productive and provide the best SS parts.

    You could cut these parts with a Hypertherm HPR130XD, however the small features and holes may not be within accuracy requirements. I would use the F5 (95% nitrogen, 5% hydrogen) process for excellent edge quality. The speed would be slower than a 2 to 3kW laser, quality would not be quite as good, but the capital equipment cost would be lower.....likely less than $120k.

    Abrasive water jet would provide the best tolerances, no heat affected zone. The productivity would be low (slowest speed of the processes), and the cost per part would be highest. Capital equipment cost for a 50 HP waterjet cutting machine would be in the $200k range.

    Jim Colt Hypertherm

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    5

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Thank you undethetire, ghyman and Jim!
    I’ll keep bugging local dealers to see what they can offer here.

    Best, fernão

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    5

    Re: Stainless Steel Cutting - What Technology?

    Guys,

    Do you think I could arrange a test with with a example piece to find the real difference between the different technologies/suppliers?
    I'd take a "drawing" of the piece and a steel plate to each demo and compare later on?
    Would this be fair? What "drawing" should I take?

    Best, fernao

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