Tools/plasma/induction: Difference between revisions
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| Electrical Safety || |
| Electrical Safety || |
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* Avoiding wet areas (but mention industrial water-damped cutting) |
* Avoiding wet areas (but mention industrial water-damped cutting) |
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* The plasma cutter plugs into one of the 16A sockets on the pillars. If you need an extension lead use only the high-current industrial ones from drawer B1B of the metal table |
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* No Extension leads! |
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* Main terminal on power supply is live all the time at 100V |
* Main terminal on power supply is live all the time at 100V, ensure the guard is in place at all times |
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* NO RINGS, NO WATCHES!! |
* NO RINGS, NO WATCHES!! |
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* If something does go wrong, shut off power before anything else |
* If something does go wrong, shut off power before anything else |
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** Testing the compressor safety valve |
** Testing the compressor safety valve |
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** Are the hoses and cables in good condition? |
** Are the hoses and cables in good condition? |
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* Fitting the consumables, how to examine, check, what constitutes too much wear, show examples of excessive wear if we have any available |
* Fitting the consumables, how to examine, check, what constitutes too much wear, show examples of excessive wear if we have any available. Consumables need changing quite often on these cheaper plasma cutters |
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* Connecting up the equipment, noting that the air source needs to be reasonable clean and water-free, what will happen if it isn't |
* Connecting up the equipment, noting that the air source needs to be reasonable clean and water-free, what will happen if it isn't |
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* Torch safety, electrical hazards, air injection issues, firing out of grit and possibly parts of the head if damaged, must never be pointed at people |
* Torch safety, electrical hazards, air injection issues, firing out of grit and possibly parts of the head if damaged, must never be pointed at people |
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| Proper settings for the job || |
| Proper settings for the job || |
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* Selecting proper pressure and how to cascade the regulators to give smooth regulation. |
* Selecting proper pressure and how to cascade the regulators to give smooth regulation. |
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** Pressures range from around 3 bar for thinner material up to around |
** Pressures range from around 3 bar for thinner material up to around 8 bar for thicker material |
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* How to choose a suitable current for your job |
* How to choose a suitable current for your job |
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** Theoretically you should use 10A + 5A per mm of material thickness for steels, more for aluminium or copper |
** Theoretically you should use 10A + 5A per mm of material thickness for steels, more for aluminium or copper |
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** But this cutter's gauge reads "Chinese amps" so use about double that |
** But this cutter's gauge reads "Chinese amps" so use about double that |
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** But the breaker will trip if you select over about 42A so that's your upper limit |
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|| Getting the settings right for a smooth cut |
|| Getting the settings right for a smooth cut |
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|| The main procedure for actually cutting into things. |
|| The main procedure for actually cutting into things. |
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|How to |
|How to recognise problems|| |
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* Demo on thin sheet |
* Demo on thin sheet |
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** Show a good cut, too much current, too little current, too little air |
** Show a good cut, too much current, too little current, too little air |
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** Practice on thin sheet till it's working well |
** Practice on thin sheet till it's working well |
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** Piercing through |
** Piercing through thin sheets |
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|| So you can |
|| So you can recognise issues when they happen |
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|Cutting on thicker materials|| |
|Cutting on thicker materials|| |
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| Other topics || |
| Other topics || |
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* Piercing into enclosed spaces |
* Piercing into enclosed spaces and blow-back hazard |
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|| Miscellaneous other topics |
|| Miscellaneous other topics |
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Latest revision as of 15:34, 9 November 2023
Some of the tools at the Hackspace are potentially hazardous to use, for these tools members are required to have an induction before they can use them. Inductions provide the most basic information on how to safely and effectively use the simpler functions of the tools, we appreciate that some members may have professional experience on some of these tools and in this case please tell your induction provider and the induction may be very reduced and just cover any risks or procedures specific to rLab. Some tools have multiple levels of induction in order to cover more advanced uses of that tool without making the basic induction take too long, higher induction levels will introduce some of the more advanced features of the tools but as with all inductions are only intended to provide basic information on the capabilities of the tools and how to use them safely. Some members of rLab may be willing to offer more detailed tuition beyond basic induction level or offer guided practice sessions in exchange for beer money or assistance on their own projects.
For all tools you are only required to take level-1 induction before use, after that you may perform any task that you feel confident you can do safely, higher levels of induction may be useful to you in performing more advanced operations but are not required before doing tasks covered in them so long as you're confident of your ability to handle those tasks without risk to yourself, others, or the tool.
PLEASE NOTE : All induction providers are volunteers who are providing inductions to the best of their ability but are NOT qualified instructors. Inductions are provided on a best-effort basis but you and you alone are responsible for your safety while using the tools and for satisfying yourself that you can operate the tools safely. There are professional training courses available from various providers in Reading and the surrounding area if you feel they are appropriate for the level of work you intend to undertake. Reading these notes is NOT a substitute for an in-person induction.
Note for wiki editors : Please do not edit induction pages unless you are one of of the people that gives that induction
Induction for the CUT-50 Plasma Cutter
Topic | Detailed Contents | Rationale |
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Proper Clothing |
Preferably workshop overalls and safety boots but if not :-
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Staying safe from the hot metal spray |
PPE and why |
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Protection from the specific hazards |
Area Safety |
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Keeping other people safe around you |
Electrical Safety |
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Let's not get anyone electrocuted |
Metal fume/dust hazards |
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Metal dust and fume are long term health risks |
Basics of plasma cutting |
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Basics of how the process works and is used |
Proper settings for the job |
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Getting the settings right for a smooth cut |
Cutting |
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The main procedure for actually cutting into things. |
How to recognise problems |
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So you can recognise issues when they happen |
Cutting on thicker materials |
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Cutting thicker materials at lower speeds |
Other topics |
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Miscellaneous other topics |