A member of the Hypertherm Associates family, Hypertherm demonstrates in Metallurgy its plasma cutting solutions for trimming and protrusion removal processes in castings. The company is recognized worldwide for developing plasma cutting, waterjet, software, and automation technologies and solutions that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and make work environments safer.
Plasma cutting solutions for removing protrusions from the injection point in casting, a process previously performed manually with conventional tools, takes on a new dimension when performed with plasma. It becomes faster, safer and more efficient in terms of cost and labor.
Among the benefits of the technology are the significant reduction in cycle time, the improvement in cut quality, the increase in productivity and the reduction of machine stoppages. Additionally, plasma cutting reduces the chances of workplace injuries, creating a safer and healthier environment for operators.
Another differential of plasma cutting is versatility. The technology handles different thicknesses and materials, allowing for quick and easy adjustments in the trimming process. This translates into flexibility to suit various types of casting, without the need for long preparation times.
APPLICATION AND AUTOMATION OF PLASMA CUTTING
The solution presented at the fair combines technical performance, automation and ergonomics. Plasma cutting, unlike traditional methods like mechanical deburring or hand sanding, uses a high-intensity electric arc to melt and remove excess material from castings.
With this, the operator can make more precise and consistent cuts, without excessive physical effort. The technology can also be integrated with industrial robots and cobots, allowing the process to be fully automated. In this model, the robot’s programming can be easily changed for different parts and geometries, creating a flexible trimming cell, adaptable to new casting designs.
The use of robotic plasma cutting offers other advantages, such as the safe distance between the tool and the workpiece, avoiding collisions, low energy consumption due to the speed of the process, the ease of integration into existing lines and the long service life of the equipment with low maintenance.
ADVANTAGES FOR THE FOUNDRY SECTOR
The use of plasma trimming in the foundry sector has a broad impact on the entire production chain. Metal manufacturers will be able to reduce operating costs, optimize their workforce, improve the final quality of parts and, above all, create safer production environments.
This transformation is not limited to the foundry sector. Hypertherm Associates’ know-how is present in industries as diverse as agriculture, aerospace, energy, infrastructure, and transportation. The Hypertherm, OMAX, Centricut, ProNest, AccuStream, and Robotmaster brands offer solutions ranging from plasma cutting to waterjet, optimization software, and robot CAD/CAM programming.
With thousands of companies around the world relying on these technologies, productivity, quality, and safety gains become competitive differentials. Thus, adopting plasma cutting for foundry trimming is not only a technological choice, but a strategic decision that can determine a company’s market leadership.
The adoption of plasma cutting in foundry also dialogues with global sustainability trends. As the process is faster than traditional methods, there is less energy consumption, which contributes to the reduction of the carbon footprint of industries. In addition, the higher efficiency of the process decreases the waste of materials and improves the use of production.
ABOUT HYPERTHERM
Founded in 1968, Hypertherm has grown from a small startup to become a global leader in industrial cutting technologies. Headquartered in the United States and present in several countries, the company maintains its commitment to deliver innovation, quality and reliability in each solution developed. More than providing equipment and software, Hypertherm differentiates itself by its consistency of purpose and its passion for the success of its customers, who rely on specialized technical support and cutting-edge solutions to increase productivity, competitiveness and safety in their operations.
