What Cutting Tool Did They Use Here??

[CudaChick1968]

I don't recognize this pattern.





I need to recreate it to a degree all over to properly debur it ... while trying hard to do so with a straight face. Maybe I'm just an **** Virgo perfectionist but this sticks out like a neon sign to me.



My plan is to make them look as much like proper n's as I can without appearing like I did any metal work as I do with every project. Initial shaping will be by carbide bit but finishing has me stumped. Any input is appreciated! Thank you guys!!

 

[Old Man Roger]

CNC Plasma cutter?

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Unless they were going for it with nodes in the drawing, I would say a poorly performing plasma table.

 

[Mike.ASC]

Looks like a plasma cutter. You could possibly get in there with a hand held belt sander and some manual filing. Whatever you end up doing I'm sure it will look amazing as all your work does.

 

[JDN]

I would say it was done on a plasma table with wrong/poor consumables, wrong feed speed, or under powered machine. I occasionally get parts to look like that if I set our machine wrong or the automatic head height control is acting up and it bounces.

 

[jimkinney]

It looks flame cut to me.

Jim

 

[DocsMachine]

That's almost certainly oxyacetylene flame cut. I'm not sure I've ever seen a plaz so far out of whack to produce a cut that bad.

And the "serrations" are almost certainly caused by a problem with either the steppers or the screws on the table X/Y system. Junk in the ballnuts, a stepper driver that's going bad, etc. Note the effect is most pronounced only on the vertical sides- the horizontal cuts are still wonky, but notably smoother.

So, most likely diagnosis? An old late 80s to early 90s computerized flame-cut table, with lots of miles on it and badly in need of maintenance.

Or it's just a really ****** plaz table.

[edit] Less sure it's flame cut, flame doesn't do multiple piercings very well, like the hole in the "e". So badly-maintained plasma table; the torch is badly set and likely worn out, and there's something wrong with the axis drives too, either mechanical or electrical.

If all you need to do is deburr those things (and not, like, mill a beveled flat on the edges or something) just huck 'em in a vibratory with some coarse ceramic cones.

Doc.

 

[dr_clyde]

That's an incredibly poor quality flame cut.

 

[dr_clyde]

If that's not flame, then that's the worst plasma cut i've ever seen.

 

[4 FN 27]

Flame Cut as others have said.

Laser or Water Jet would be a way better solution.

 

[K13]

I would check and make sure the backwards n's were not done intentionally before changing anything. Some people do stuff like that because they think it looks cool and unique and if I had done it intentionally and someone changed it I would not be happy.

 

[CudaChick1968]

My customer bought it at Carlisle in July and wants it to look good -- it's a gift for his son.

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I should be happy it was unrecognizable -- apparently my plasma is set up better than the guy's who made this piece. Lol

 

[WWheeler]

I would check and make sure the backwards n's were not done intentionally before changing anything. Some people do stuff like that because they think it looks cool and unique and if I had done it intentionally and someone changed it I would not be happy.

Yeah I gotta say I really like the backwards 'n's.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I'm guessing cnc plasma with the acceleration turned up way to high. There are likely a few mechanical issues there too.

I don't see anything in the cut to indicate that it may have been torch cut.

 

[Toothaker]

I have nothing to add to how that got that way.

But as regards the backwards n - what about a straight cut across the top of the letter, flip it over, weld it on, and then clean it up?

 

[K13]

I have nothing to add to how that got that way.

But as regards the backwards n - what about a straight cut across the top of the letter, flip it over, weld it on, and then clean it up?

Wouldn't it make more sense and be way less work to just cut the two n's of as a pair where they are attached flip the whole piece over and reattach?

 

[kazlx]

I've had cuts come out that bad on my plasma table. It's always the file and was when I would get files from some customers. Depending on how the files is drawn/the font/etc, there can be excessive nodes and the table never accelerates enough. It just struggles trying to process all the points instead of accelerating from point to point.

That should never leave the shop though to a customer. I would either try and fix the file, tell the customer the file has and issue and just re-cut it.

 

[CudaChick1968]

I've had cuts come out that bad on my plasma table. It's always the file and was when I would get files from some customers. Depending on how the files is drawn/the font/etc, there can be excessive nodes and the table never accelerates enough. It just struggles trying to process all the points instead of accelerating from point to point.

That should never leave the shop though to a customer. I would either try and fix the file, tell the customer the file has and issue and just re-cut it.

I'm just the metal finisher who is trying to make the best of it kazlx. You guys with the cool tools build 'em and I make 'em pretty.

 

[DocsMachine]

Wouldn't it make more sense and be way less work to just cut the two n's of as a pair where they are attached flip the whole piece over and reattach?

-No, they're italic, angled. They'd lean the wrong way.

Doc.

 

[kazlx]

I'm just the metal finisher who is trying to make the best of it kazlx. You guys with the cool tools build 'em and I make 'em pretty.

Totally get that. Just saying it's a lot of unnecessary work for you that shouldn't leave a shop for finishing in the first place.