Top 3 Safety Practices for Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutting is one of the most simple, popular, and economical cutting methods. But if not handled with care, it will lead to unexpected severe hazards. So, to reap its benefits and increase productivity without any accidents, you should follow some safety practices. The foremost safety step to take is investing in good quality machine parts like Mazak parts, Mitsubishi machine parts, Amada plasma cutting parts, etc. Here we will have a brief look at the top three plasma cutting safety tips that one must follow:

1. Fire Safety

In the plasma cutting process, preventing fire should be on the top of your safety checklist. It is because the plasma cutting arc blows hot metals and sparks out. It can even heat up by cutting the torch and workpiece that may cause fire and burns. Also, ensure you are keeping your eyes safe while performing plasma cutting. And how can you do it? With the help of safety glasses having a side shield. You can even use a helmet or a face shield with safety glasses for more protection.

You can also protect your body from harmful flying sparks and hot metal with the help of dry undamaged flame-resistant gloves and clothes. You can choose clothes made from tightly woven materials such as wool, leather, heavy denim, etc. You should also button your shirt collars to stop them from catching fire. You should avoid wearing cuffed pants as they can catch sparks. And to protect your feet from the fire, you should wear the best quality leather shoes and boots.

The plasma can be so hot that it can even cut through the gloves and skin. Thus, to prevent this injury, you must avoid gripping material near the cutting path.

2. Proper Ventilation

Similar to welding, plasma cutting also produces fumes and gases. And breathing them might mess with your health. You can prevent this health hazard by ensuring proper ventilation in the space where machines are working using fume extraction systems and respirators. You can even use a welding respirator while using a plasma cutter in a confined space. In situations when the airflow of your working machine room is restricted, then you can use a welding fume extractor. Additionally, ensure that you comply with the codes and standards of your area.

When you cut coated metals such as cadmium-plated steel or galvanized steel, you should remove the coating from the cutting area. These coatings release toxic fumes when they are cut with the plasma arc. You can use the suction system and exhaust hood at the arc to ventilate the cutting area while cutting the coated metals. This will keep the area free of fumes and safe to breathe.

3. Avoid Electric Shocks

Manufacturers connect plasma arc with an electric circuit between a workpiece and a torch. This means that if you touch the torch or the workpiece when the plasma cutter is operating, you might end up with a fatal electric shock through your body. Additionally, plasma cutters need compressed gas and high voltage to cut steel and electrically conductive metals. To give you a perspective, the plasma cutter voltages are in the range of 100-200 Volts, and that is way higher than welding voltages.

You can follow the below safety practices for saving yourself from electric shocks:

• Do not remove the ground clamps when the plasma cutting process progresses.
• Wear insulated boots and gloves to keep your body dry and safe from electric shocks.
• Do not remove the ground cable that is attached to the workpiece during the cutting process.
• Do not stand, sit, or lie on the wet floor while the plasma cutting process is going on. Instead, choose a rubber mat to prevent electrical shocks.

Conclusion

I hope the safety practices mentioned earlier may help you to carry out plasma cutting devoid of accidents or any injuries. You must remember, the key here is to identify the risks and eliminate them with necessary safety measures. To ensure additional safety, you can use high-quality Mazak parts and Mitsubishi machine parts. By following these safety measures, you can not only eliminate the accidents but also ensure growth and productivity.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-3-safety-practices-for-plasma-cutting

Top 12 Car Parts You Should Know About

Whether you repair on your car or bring it to the service center, it is helpful to know the common parts of a car. It helps in making educated decisions on car maintenance. We have a guide to help you get started with all the information about different car parts.

 

1. Radiator

The radiator is a heat exchanger useful to remove heat from the coolant in the cooling system to prevent your car's engine from overheating. The hot coolant is routed through the radiator. Here, the coolant can exchange heat with the passing air.

 

For general maintenance on your radiator, you should check your coolant levels twice a year. Replacing your cars's radiator can take most of the day but it is a doable DIY job. If you want to replace your radiator, use good quality parts like Mitsubishi replacement parts. This will help in increasing the longevity of the radiator.

It is also notable that when you use a good quality replacement part, it becomes easier for you to fit those parts properly. Because the quality parts have precise cutting and folding. Additionally, you should refer to your car's repair manual because each car is slightly different on its own.

 

2. Battery

The battery stores all the energy in chemical form to release it as electricity to run your car's electrical components. Some other terms that you may hear when talking about a car battery are:

 

• Battery Terminal

It is a means of connecting the battery to the car's electrical system. The three types of battery terminals are post or top, side, and L.

 

• Battery Capacity

It is the energy output of a battery measured in amp/hours.

 

• Cold Cranking Amps

It refers to the amount of current the battery can supply to the car.

 

• Group Size

This is just what it sounds like - the size of the battery. Standard group sizes are:

• 24, 24F
• 25
• 34
• 35
• 51, 51R
• 52
• 58, 58R
• 59
• 65

Battery is one of the crucial parts of your car and thus it is advisable to let the best do their jobs. Mitsubishi machine parts can make sure you have the correct battery for your car.

 

3. AGM

This stands for absorbent glass mat. It is a design in which sulfuric acid gets absorbed by a fiberglass mat. It makes the battery spill-proof and better at holding a charge.

 

4. Brakes

A car's brake system is useful to stop or slow a car and prevent it from moving when stopped or parked. The two most common systems of a car brake are disc brakes and drum brake systems. Here are some of the most common disc brake parts:

• Caliper
• Brake Pad
• Brake Rotor

Drum brake systems usually consist of a brake drum and shoes. The shoes are covered in friction material pressed against the inner part of the drum to create friction and eventually to slow the car.

Do you hear squeaky brakes and see a brake job in your future? Well, we can help you get started. Brakes are the life saviors, thus it is important to keep a check if your brake fluid isn't leaking. You should also know which kind of brake pad you need to buy as per your car model and damage. Mitsubishi replacement parts and Mitsubishi machine parts can be a good choice for trusting on with brakes.

 

5. Alternator

It is an electricity generating device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in alternating current. It is useful in supplying power to your car's electrical system through the battery.

If you ever notice that your battery is not working or appears swollen, then your alternator could have a faulty voltage and it may be overcharging the battery.

 

6. Axle

The front and rear axles are cross members supporting a car where there are wheel hubs attached. Axles are also part of your car's suspension system and are responsible for sending power to the wheels from the engine through the transmission and differential. They link the wheels to the car thus ensuring its proper alignment.

 

7. Muffler

This comes just before the end of the exhaust pipe. It helps in reducing the noise emitted by the exhaust system. Muffler restricts exhaust gas flow that leads to a quieter ride.

 

8. Tailpipe

It is the pipe that carries out exhaust fumes from the muffler or catalytic converter to the car's rear.

 

9.Fuel Tank

It is a storage tank for gasoline that powers your car to run or work.

 

10. AC Compressor

It is responsible for pumping coolant throughout your system and starting the cooling process of your car. Without it, the AC system of your car will not work. It uses the power of battery and fuel to give you chilled cars under the summer sun.

 

11. Shock Absorbers

This is a hydraulic device used at each wheel of the suspension system. It helps to control the up, down, and rolling motion of a car body by dampening the oscillations or jouncing the springs when the car goes over bumps.

A typical shock absorber has three functions:

• Control body sway
• Dampen the effect of spring oscillation
• Reduce the tendency of a tire tread

12. Transmission

It is a gearing device of a car that provides variable ratios between the engine output and the differential input. Automotive transmissions are usually more complex than bicycle transmissions. Still, they play the same primary function - allowing the driver to select smaller or larger gears to optimize driving conditions without working the engine too hard. There are two types of transmission:

• Automatic Transmission
• Manual Transmission

I hope the guide was helpful for you. But you should always consult your car's manual and a repair guide before making any decision related to replacing or fixing the parts. Also taking help from a licensed professional mechanic is always the best option of all.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-12-car-parts-you-should-know

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Machines

 Laser-cutting is a method in metal fabrication. Various industries like manufacturing, health, aerospace, electronics, etc. use laser-cutting. If you work in any of these industries, you will require a laser-cutting machine for making your work effortless. It is a quick and efficient way to cut and engrave objects. Moreover, as compared to other cutting equipment, a laser machine is cleaner, less deburring, reduces waste, and enables you to make an accurate cut.

Investing in a laser machine can be a crucial decision for your business. There are several questions that come to your mind when you make such a major purchase. Therefore, you would want to make sure that your choice is accurate. In this post, we have answered some commonly raised questions by buyers before purchasing a laser machine.

1. To cut which materials I can use a laser machine?

 

This is a commonly asked question. Laser machines are known for their ability to permanently cut many materials. Once you purchase the machine you will be able to use it for the following materials: 

 

• Wood- it includes furniture, cabinets, custom floorings, personalized gifts, etc.

• Meta- metal in machine parts, jewelry, automobile applications, metal-coated awards, and more

• Fabric- applications for fabric cutting used in fashion designing or interior design

• Glass- awards, gifts, furniture, jars, bottles, etc

 

You can even utilize the machine for rubber, plastic, acrylic, brick and stone, and so on. Regardless of the materials you work with, machines by Mitsubishi Machine Parts, Trumpf nozzles and Trumpf Lasers can handle every requirement perfectly. 

 

2. What size of the machine is best for me?

 

Choosing the correct size is important as they determine the ease of cutting ability. But the size of the machine is based on your needs and plans. However, bigger machines will give more opportunities and options to cut and engrave as compared to a smaller one. They enable you to finish more tasks at once.

 

3. How much space will I require for the machine?

 

The next answer that people want after deciding the size of the machine is how much space is needed to accommodate the machine. Well, the answer is that space depends on the size and design of the machine. Buyers are choosing space-saving machines from manufactures like Trumpf who have machines that reduce space requirement. 

 

Note that for better functioning, keep the laser machine in a space that has a connection with outdoors for convenient ventilation.

 

4. How much power do I need?

 

Power of the laser is an important consideration. Because the power of the laser determines both the materials you cut and the speed. Usually, higher wattage indicated a powerful laser. However, it depends on the materials that you will be using the machine for. You can choose a standard power laser and then later upgrade as per your needs.

 

5. What is the average cost of a laser machine?

 

The price of the machine varies depending on the model type and your needs. If you have to cut thick materials you will need a higher watt laser and that is expensive as compared to machines used for cutting thin materials. It normally costs $25,000 to $65,000 according to different working sizes and configurations. 

 

6. How much does it cost to run a laser machine?

 

• Three factors determine the overall cost of the machine:

• Electricity consumption

• Consumable parts

• Maintenance

 

7. Is the machine difficult to learn?

 

Once you have bought the machine, you must also know how to use it. The thought of using a machine might be daunting. But this is not a difficult job because most suppliers like Mitsubishi Machine Parts and Trumpf Nozzles send the team of technicians who assist you get familiar with the machine. Even later, you can solve your queries through the customer support provided.

 

8. Will I get a warranty?

 

When you make such a big investment it is obvious you will look for some warranty. If you do basic research while purchasing the machine, you will find that products of suppliers like Mitsubishi Machine Parts and Trumpf Nozzles come with a warranty.

 

9. How to maintain a laser-cutting machine?

 

Any piece of equipment requires maintenance. Regularly maintaining a laser machine will keep it running smoothly and effectively for a long time. Some tips to maintain your machine:

 

• Keep replacing fluids for better lubrication

• Filter the air and oil replacement whenever required

• Keep checking frequently for the sign of deterioration

• Clean the machine regularly

• Check if the gas is dry and clean

• Do beam quality tests

10. Is the machine safe?

 

Laser machines are secure. If you know how to use them properly and frequently take care of maintenance, there will be no safety issue. 

 

Conclusion:

 

These were the most commonly asked questions on laser machines. We hope to have solved your doubts. One last tip we would like to share- before finalizing the purchase, clearly set your requirements and long-term goals. Research to get the best machines available in the market for your business.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/2020/08/28/10-Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Laser-Machines

Four Tips to Consider Before Purchasing Laser Machines

Being a fabricator is difficult and there are so many things you should know about it before you invest into the machine. Like which brand of machine to purchase, what type of designs you should create, understanding users’ requirements. All of these factors play a very important role.

Thousands of questions arise when you have to purchase one laser engraving machine. Not only this but there are thousands of companies also with their variety of laser machines so it is very obvious to get confused.

To overcome this confusion, in today’s article, we will discuss some of the things you must consider before purchasing laser engraving machines.

1. Do thorough research

I can understand laser engraving machines are a big investment and each of the brands has their own types of machines. These machines are different in size, powers, and functions so as a fabricator you need to know what is the function and purpose of these machines and what are your requirements.

Some machines are suitable for production while some are not suitable because of their speed. Big machines let you cut and engrave bigger items, so here you need to have clarity upon what you want your machine to do.

As a fabricator, it is your job to do thorough research on suppliers and distributors of laser machines in your area. Find and make a list of companies who are well known, the cost of spare parts, laser machines, and their customers’ ratings.

Make sure that you are not using machines that have rusty spare parts. While purchasing the laser engraving machine make sure that spare parts are of some well-known companies like Mazak parts and Mitsubishi machine parts so it is easy to replace them as and when required.

2. Location of machine

Location or place where you want to set up a machine is a very important part for you to work efficiently. You need to be sure about the weather, environment, market, place, power supply, and many such things. Add more equipment like compressor, air filter, computer, suction, water drainage, and many more. Additionally, make sure that the machine is dust-free and cools with air conditioning as it generates extreme heat.

Lastly, make sure that machine has an earthling cable as most laser machines generate power based on an electric laser tube. You need to release the tube of its electric tension. If there is no earth cable then the tension on the laser tube will break within a year.

3. Compressor is an important part

Laser machines need a compressor and for this, you need to make sure that your supplier has technical knowledge about this. The type of compressor you need depends on different factors like humidity, size of laser machine, power supply requirements, and many others. 

It is the supplier’s responsibility to help you set up the machine including air compressor, suction, and drainage as they know the correct steps. You need to purchase machines according to the place you stay in. Suppose, you are staying in a place that is humid then make sure the machine has an air dryer or cleaner. Also remember to timely replace spare Mazak parts and Mitsubishi machine parts.

You might know that the air which blows inside of the machine is clean and dry as there are some compressors that produce oil and water in the air. Remember oil and water is not good for your machine as the laser will stick out of your lens and as a result, the lens will turn blurry. This will eventually result in having imperfect laser engraving experience and will make a hole in the lens. 

Lenses are very costly so avoid playing with it.

4. Water Management System

If you are living in a humid country then your compressor will exhale plenty of water. It stores in a compressor or the air compressor tank. Make sure to empty the water storage everyday either on an hourly or daily basis. Hence, in some countries, you can install an auto drainage system on compressors or air tanks. This device automatically empties the water storage so it never gets full and you can also keep your machine running. I will say, it is not important to have it but is one of the essential parts of the ecosystem around your machine. 

Final Words: 

I can understand purchasing a laser machine can be a very big investment as there are many risk factors included. You just need to make sure of the above four discussed points as it will help you to make better decisions, work more efficiently with your clients, and increase your productivity. I am saying it again make sure that your supplier uses known parts like Mazak parts and Mitsubishi machine parts so it is easier for you to replace them.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/2020/08/06/Four-Tips-to-Consider-Before-Purchasing-Laser-Machines

Future of Press Brake

Press brake is a machine that bends the metal sheets. Its basic structure includes a bracket, table and clamping plate.

One can divide sheet metals into two categories:

• Galvanized steel
• Stainless steel

Further, Galvanized steel has two sub-categories:

• Electro-galvanized sheet
• Hot-dipped metallic-coated sheets

Each type of material will require a different type of Press Brake machine.

Today this technology has come a long way and the Press brake industry is experiencing a major transformation phase with some great future opportunities.

So, strap in, and let’s have a look.

According to current buzz in the market, press brakes would dominate the market by bringing a lot of opportunities for fabricators. When we look over the market share of the press brake, there are some emerging opportunities for small local and global vendors.

The global market scenario of press brake machine:

Gone are the days when fabricators were using mechanical press brakes. With hydraulic and pneumatic press brakes, there has been a major shift in the utilities.

On the other side, the wave of automation is heading high with more and more industries adopting computers, robotics getting involved in it. And sheet pressing being an important part of their systems, there are expectations to have a higher demand for sheet bending in the coming years. This automatically indicates the high-growth of Press Brakes, Trumpf parts, Mitsubishi machine parts in the coming years.

When choosing the press brakes, one thing that fabricators look for is the programmability. With the evolution of operational parameters, enhancement of press brake will pick up the speed and will even make it easy for fabricators to use them on a regular basis.

The growth of the press brake market varies according to regions. There is an expectation that in terms of value, press brake will be ahead in the market of developed countries.

Whereas, in developing countries, there is an expectation that the press brake market including Trumpf parts, Mitsubishi machine parts will grow even bigger during the most during financial years.

Apart from these possibilities, we can expect that at the global level applications of press brake may grow as well. It will be useful in areas like transport, building construction, automation industry, and general machinery applications. But, let’s not forget the strict norms of certification for press brake might obstruct the growth of the market.

As per the current situation, we can divide the market of the press brake on the basis of the regions, types of applications.

Now, let’s look at the possible opportunities in its applications:

Press brake categorizes into general machinery, transport machines, building and construction, sheet cutting or any other applications.

Additionally, the geographical share of Press Brakes covers seven regions i.e. North America, CIS & Russia, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe.

The constant change and evolution in the press brake machines are turning out to be a great help for fabricators.

Before the press brakes, fabricators were bending the sheets manually. Due to its complexity, it was one of the most tedious tasks of their job. But, now the introduction of technology gave birth to hydraulic machines.

We can say that the hydraulic machines have made the process of bending sheet materials easy and fast for fabricators.

This constant evolution gave birth to good press brake machines. These new machines come with high precision, good speed and easy bending of sheets.

Final Words:

In this ever-growing world, change is the only constant be it with any industry. The involvement of technology is making the lives of fabricators easy. In return, users are getting end products with better results.

Hence, making the most out of your machines and being future-ready is the only practice to stay ahead in the competition.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/2020/03/12/Future-of-Press-Brake