Working with Pinnacle Industrial Automation Inc., the OEM that had sold the company the CO2 lasers, Berreth found a plasma-cutting solution that would offer the necessary productivity improvements along with a cut quality compa- rable to laser. Pinnacle recommended the integrated plasma-cutting solution from Hypertherm (Hanover, NH), which features an ultraprecise table motion that provides a near laser-quality cut. This system expands GT Metal Prod- ucts’ already extensive offerings beyond the limitations of the lasers and enables greater flexibility in quoting, materials use, and production, with lower operat- ing and maintenance costs.
“HyPerformance Plasma cuts at lower cost, at higher speeds, with greater quality.”
The full suite of Hypertherm compo-
nents includes a HyPerformance Plasma HPR130XD, which delivers near laser- cut quality while minimizing operating and maintenance costs. An EDGE Pro CNC and the ArcGlide THC significantly improve productivity without operator in- tervention, increasing plasma cut speed 3× over the CO2
laser. The ProNest2010
nesting and process optimization soft- ware enables the programmer to monitor material usage and minimize scrap. The system features Hypertherm’s True Hole technology, which minimizes drilling and secondary operations by automatically delivering bolt-quality holes. “HyPerformance Plasma cuts at lower cost, at higher speeds, with greater quality,” Berreth says. “We have gone from cutting at 26 ipm [660 mm/ min] with the lasers to 80 ipm [2 m/ min] with the plasma, and drilling has been minimized due to the True Hole technology.” The addition of the True
Hole-enabled cutting machine immediately allowed GT Metal Products to reduce operating expenses by eliminating the sec- ond shift, and returning to the one-shift model, which reduced heating and cooling, supervision, and overtime costs.
TCI Machine-Ready Blanks Can Help.
Increase throughput by 25% or more with TCI Machine-Ready Blanks. With one P.O., eliminate grinding / squaring operations and outside processing. Use the time you save for more productive use of your CNC equipment – adding to your bottom line.
Call today, or visit us on the Web to Request a quote and sign up for a FREE Webinar, How to Increase Throughput and Profits
MEMB E R See us at Mfg4 Booth #1310 May 2012 | www.sme.org/manufacturingengineering 111