Originally Posted by jimcolt  Issues with water tables:
Other issues...if the plate being cut is in contact with the water (which provides the best of fume control) the cut edge will have a higher propensity for dross.....as the molten metal resolidifies more quickly. Further....plasma cut edges that have water in contact with them during the cut will have a rougher edge finish due to the breakdown of water into oxygen and hydrogen (disassociation and electrolysis processes from the heat and the electrical action)....the hydrogen creates small explosions (you can actually hear little popping sounds from plasma when cutting in water) and these pops actually push the arc a bit, creating striations or pronounced lag lines in the cut face.
Jim Colt Hypertherm |
I am assuming we are talking about submersion? does the same apply if we just hit the bottom or a .25" below? I don't think I will submerge. Our table can handle up to 3" and I will only have skirts 1" above the slats. Is this enough? I will use oxy as much as the plasma, any thoughts with oxy?
plain ol bill, I like the idea of using air. Air is already handy and sounds like it works fast (hey, weren't we talking about this on another thread?
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The idea of the zinc may have some merit, it is usually used in saltwater but may have some benefit in a plasma table tank. I use them in housings for cameras underwater, both inside and out. I can get them with a 1/4-20 thread and replace them every season or so. I would imagine the block idea would be better if you could get them in big pieces. Anyone else with ideas on the zinc blocks?
Cool thread!
(no pun intended)
WSS