Mining, engineering and shaft-sinking equipment manufacturer Max Power Services has reduced its cutting costs by 40% after employing US plasma cutting systems and consumables manufacturer Hypertherm’s integrated plasma cutting solutions technology.

Max Power Services CEO Pierre de Koker says the company came across Hypertherm’s integrated plasma cutting solutions at last year’s Electra Mining Africa trade exhibition, in Johannesburg, after which the search for a reputable supplier began.

The latest plasma technology from Hypertherm has been available in South Africa as a cutting solution from plasma, laser and oxyfuel metal cutting systems supplier Lind SA Automation.

Lind SA uses the Hypertherm technology on its robust gantry with high-precision motors and gearboxes. The plasma cutting machine, with dual drives, runs on precision-machined rails which can be extended at a later stage.

De Koker notes that Max Power Services’ production output before implementing the solution in April 2012 was 400 kg/d. Today, the company’s output is up to 4 000 kg/d.

“There have been no problems pertaining to quality with this technology and it has actually improved our delivery times, as there is a four- to six-day reduction in delivery time, as the cutting of components is done in-house,” De Koker says.

He adds that reducing the company’s costs by implementing the technology and offering improved delivery times to its clients have broadened the company’s scope of work. The company hopes to acquire another machine in the future.

According to Lind SA, the technology significantly reduces cutting costs and improves cutting quality, reliability and productivity.

Hypertherm has more than 75 worldwide patents in plasma cutting technology and invests millions of dollars yearly in research and development that results in improved performance, compared with other plasma manufacturers, states Lind SA financial and commercial manager Robin Ackermann.

Lind SA is a supplier of Hyper-therm’s integrated plasma cutting solutions.

The integrated plasma cutting solutions consist primarily of Hypertherm’s Edge Pro computer numerically controlled (CNC) technology, the ArcGlide Torch Height Control (THC), the HPR XD power source and ProNest nesting software.

The Edge Pro CNC provides improved profitability and application performance such as True Hole technology designed for mild steel applications. It improves the cut quality of holes and produces bolt-ready holes.

ArcGlide THC continuously samples and automatically adjusts arc voltage for proper torch height over the life of the consumables without requiring operator input. It also offers improved cut quality and productivity and reduced operating costs for plasma cutting applications, including the True Hole technology and Rapid Part technology.

The HPR XD power source is available in 130 A, 260 A, 400 A and 800 A and the range can pierce through mild steel thicknesses of up to 50 mm and stainless steel and aluminium of up to 75 mm.

Hypertherm’s ProNest nesting software is designed for plasma, laser, waterjet and oxyfuel processes and combination punch processes. It provides mechanised-cutting users with an efficient and intuitive solution for advanced multiprocess profiling operations.

Meanwhile, Hypertherm’s Rapid Part technology significantly increases productivity automatically without operator intervention. The Rapid Part technology is available as part of Hypertherm’s integrated plasma cutting solutions.

The Rapid Part technology reduces cut-to-cut cycle times, improving the time taken for the torch to cut metal and reduces operating costs, which results in a productivity system that delivers an increase in parts produced an hour of up to 100% , depending on the design of the part.

Hypertherm’s HDi Thin Stainless Steel technology enables better cut-quality on thin stainless steel of up to 6 mm and produces sharp top-edge quality and good angularity.

Lind SA is a Hypertherm original-equipment manufac- turer and provides the integrated plasma cutting solution for South African companies in various industries. Lind SA is also the supplier of Hypertherm’s range of fibre laser machines.