Mechanized Plasma Beveling and Connected Plasma Cutting Systems

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products (Denton, TX) has optimized the consumables on their iSeries high precision plasma systems for plasma beveling applications. The new design, distinguished by a more pointed nozzle and shield cap, narrows the torch profile to enable tilting the torch at greater angles, and moving the torch closer to the plate to maintain optimum arc lengths without collisions. The ultra-cooled, two-piece iSeries tip gets cooled all the way to the orifice to provide the best cut quality over its complete life span. XtremeLife™ electrodes feature multiple hafnium inserts that last longer in high current applications to lower cost of ownership. iSeries consumables can save as much as 35 percent when cutting mild steel and up to 70 percent on stainless. To cut a full range of weld preparations, connect the iSeries to the next generation DMX Automated Plasma Beveller, which utilizes a reliable, compact and easy-to-use design that eliminates the need for breakaway crash protection, delivers responsive, accurate positioning and can detect a torch crash without any added components and automatically reset itself after a collision.

For data management, the new ESAB CutCloud 3.0 connected digital system is now powered by Microsoft Azure IoT and the ThingWorx® Industrial Innovation Platform from PTC (Boston, MA), which respectively allow for on-premise, hybrid and cloud-based architectures and functionality to import and visualize machine data. This reliable and secure architecture can send the data from a CutCloud-enabled system directly to the cloud, eliminating the need for an on-premise server or large IT infrastructure to gain the benefits of data management. Azure also allows for on-premise and hybrid (on-premise/cloud) operation. CutCloud 3.0, in combination with Columbus® III version 1.6 CAD/CAM software, enables users to:

• Access data remotely from a phone, tablet or PC. See what your machines are doing right now, from anywhere. Measure cutting machine efficiency and productivity.
• Improve accuracy of quotes for cutting jobs using actual cutting data. Automatically gather productivity data from your cutting machines. Automatically generate customized reports.

Columbus III version 1.6 can calculate offers and orders for customers based on actual production data. An easy-to-use cost calculator enables fabricators to enter cost variables, such as costs for machine time per hour, cutting process (including associated consumables), preparation, programming and materials. After nesting parts using built-in design tools or importing a parts nest, Columbus III can calculate costs based on length, duration or weight of material cut. Data can be exported to Excel and used for future cost calculations. Other new functions include keyboard shortcuts to move and rotate a parts nest in user-defined increments, rotating the parts nest and/or plate orientation to consider grain direction, a new color to clearly delineate Cut Rapid mode (fastest cut without regard for edge quality) and a Direct Mode function that allows dragging lines over parts to quickly and easily sequence them.

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, 2800 Airport Road, Denton, TX 76207, 800-372-2123, www.esabna.com.