Re: 3D plasma/water-jet cutting

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "turbulatordude"
<dave_mucha@...> wrote:

>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Tom Foley" <tpf_ski93@>

wrote:

> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm interested in plasma and/or water jet cutting on curved

surfaces.

> > The shape (mostly circles) would be controlled by the XY plane

and the

> > torch/nozzle normal to the XY plane (sort of a saddle-cut).
> >
> > Has anyone tried this?
> >
> > Can I control the torch to work distance accurately enough?
> >
> > Does the plasma torch need to be so close to the work that the

surface

> > curvature will interfere with it?
> >
> > Any ideas would be appreciated.
> >
> > Tom
>
> Hi Tom,
>
> Making a rotary 4th axis is pretty simple, espically if your needs

are

> for plasma cutting.
>
> If you CAD a pipe and show ID and OD, and then the cut, you will
> quickly see that on the crest, you are cutting only the wall
> thickness. on the angles, the thickness will increase. if you start
> with a 4" pipe 1/4" wall, and try to cut for a 3" pipe, the sides on
> the steep angles will be about 7/16 thick.
>
> Also, if you draw in the torch head, you cannot get the heat to

within

> an inch of the cut !
>
> By rotating the work, you really can just substitute the Y axis for
> the rotary and not even change the software. Heck, you could just
> move the motor, or swap plugs. POWER OFF !!!! of course !
>
> This is pretty easy for pipes, even of different diameters.
>
> Dave
>

Dave,
It would be difficult for me to rotate the part because it's too
big. I'm hoping I can do the same thing by tipping the torch. I'm
not sure how easy this will be with avaialbe software.

Tom