I’ve used the Dynatorch to cut a variety of thicknesses of steel. Now I have to inter-related questions. Can the torch be used to cut 16 gauge aluminum? If yes, is it possible to cut an aluminum sheet that is perforated with 1/8 inch holes over its entire surface?
Thank in advance for both ye/mo answers and what setting would need to be changed to m both the aluminum and its perforated surfacd.
Yes, though the recommended settings for material this thin seem high. I ended up using about half the recommend current setting.
Don’t know. I {dimly} remember an interrupted cut setting, but I could be hallucinating.
Yes but is there is a very specific setup to get it done.
So where should I look to find this very specific setup?
Are you trying to cut a very specific shape? Our stomp shear might be much faster for your needs. (Unless you are cutting a complex shape)
For this question. The plasma cutter itself has to be set (knob switched to the dotted cut).
On the actual dynatorch software there is a checkbox for expanded metal (make sure it’s selected)
I want to cut a piece 21” x 23” with three 10” circles staggered over the piece. I’m trying to fashion a radiator shroud for my classic truck
Plan on extra material you can scrap for test cuts
Maybe I need to do a video on it. There is a physical switch on the plasma. Then there is 2 settings in the software. The check box for lost arc and one for intermittent cuts.
Where is the physical switch? As for the settings, I look for them when I come out to DMS.
Thanks
Interrupted cut is mode 1.
Switch shown on mode 2.
If you choose the settings when you set up the job you will get a reminder to set the mode switch.
I think you would have a hard time getting consistent holes that small, consider getting the part laser cut.
Bob,
You may be unhappy with the finish on the cut surface.
I have cut many sheets of aluminum and steel sheet with 1/8 and 1/4 holes with a circular saw and table saw with a fine toothed carbide saw. Tolerances and finish were perfect. Wear PPE, i.e. leather apron, face shield, cap, long sleeve shirt, ear pro etc. Sharp swarf flies EVERYWHERE at high speed. Be careful at the the start and end of a long cut with a circular saw. The edges tend to flip up if you do not cut straight. Use a guide clamped on top of the work. On a table saw place shim material under the work next to the fence so that the work does not slide under the fence and bind.
Ah, I missed the 10" holes. Still might be doable with a 3" hand held or die grinder with a diamond blade.
Best, Jim
I’ve cut small holes in sheet metal (18 ga). I was using the fine cut consumables. They are not consistently round but not terrible. I also had to experiment with the amperage (lower) and kerf shrinking it quite a bit. The recommended settings are not very accurate when cutting fine details like that. I suspect the problem is that the CNC slows down for arcs. So you might play with that parameter also but speeding up will introduce more positioning error.
Your biggest issue will be removing all the slag. That’s going to take a while with the hand grinder if the panel is very large.
Realized he is cutting 10” holes. The metal is already perforated with 1/8” holes.
Ha, I read it as wanting to perforate it also! Interupted cutting works fine if the hypertherm is set for that and software set for perforated
