Innovative Plasma Cutting Technology Breaks Multi-Process Barriers

In Booth A2879, new Plasma Nova multi-function technology from Soitaab USA Inc. (Lombard, IL) breaks the barriers in multi-process fabrication machines. The Plasma Nova is a sturdy and robust system that can combine plasma cutting with a straight or bevel head, oxy-fuel cutting, various kinds of marking, variable size drilling and tapping, and even 3-dimensional shapes like pipe cutting, all in a single easy to use system. With heavy duty Dual Side Drives and Digital Controllers, this system maintains excellent positioning accuracy and cut tolerances across the entire working area. The machine can be equipped with a variety of the most precise Hypertherm HyDefinition plasma power supplies for excellent cut quality and speed. Complete with the latest nesting software from SigmaNest and graphic icon HMI control from its CNC touch screen, the Plasma Nova operation is intuitive and seamlessly controls all of the different machine functions without operator intervention in-between.

The heavy duty bevel head is designed for the harshest environments and most demanding production requirements for finished welding edge prep of all bevel profiles, and it is easily programmed through the software. The plasma torch comes with breakaway anti-collision capability, as well as both touch sensing arc-voltage height control and ohmic sensing for thin materials. Besides HyDefinition plasma cutting, the Plasma Nova can be equipped with an oxy-fuel torch for thicker materials. Various marking options from plasma marking, pin stamp marking, ink jet markers and even simple paint pen markers are all available. To cut down on part handling, a six-station drilling and tapping head can be added. Single station drilling options for thicker material and larger holes along with integrated tool changers are also available.

Finally, to add even more versatility the system can be equipped with the TuboCut automatic pipe cutting attachment that is capable of cutting both straight and beveled holes, slots, joints, and access panels in a wide range of pipe diameters. Perfect saddle joints with precise variable bevel angles can be done in seconds instead of hours. Each system sold comes with Gold Medal Service and Support. All the major components are supplied by well-known global manufacturers to insure a stable supply of spare parts, and every Soitaab machine comes with a BOM that includes the OEM part numbers to assure parts are readily available on the open market and fairly priced.

When trying to cut an interrupted surface like a steel grate with a plasma torch, the arc jumps from surface to surface as it passes over the bars of the grate. The cuts are haphazard and there is no predicting where the arc will land on the next available surface – but the new Plasma Grate Cutting System that is also on display cuts interrupted surfaces like steel or aluminum grating at high speeds, both efficiently and with high quality results. This innovative process uses the patented Kjellberg Hotwire indirect plasma cutting system, where a welding wire is automatically fed underneath the torch and acts as the anode, completing the electrical circuit without a direct connection to the workpiece. The wire simulates a continuous surface under the torch and the grate beneath is cut as if it were a flat plate.

There is no slow-down of the plasma torch, no-pre-heating of the surface, and no loss of the plasma arc as the torch moves across the interrupted grate surface. The results are a very clean, high quality, accurate cut with little to no re-work on the surface. The speeds approach typical plasma cutting speeds and are 5 times to 10 times faster than other methods currently in use. When not in use, the grate cutting attachment can be easily removed for standard flat plate cutting.

Soitaab USA Inc., 76 Eisenhower Lane North, Lombard, IL 60148-6164, 312-856-6970, [email protected], www.soitaabusa.com.