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Choosing the Right Cutting Tip for the Job
Selecting the right cutting or styling tool for the job means the difference between an average cut or a great cut. Therefore, it is important to choose carefully. It is critical to both performance and safety to choose the correct tip for the job. Here’s a simple step-by-step process for choosing the right cutting tip to ensure you deliver a great cut every time.
Choosing the Right Cutting Tip
Selecting the right cutting or styling tool for the job means the difference between an average cut or a great cut. Therefore, it is important to choose carefully. It is critical to both performance and safety to choose the correct tip for the job. Here’s a simple step-by-step process for choosing the right cutting tip to ensure you deliver a great cut every time.
Seat Type
The brand will determine the seat type. You must know the manufacturer or model of your torch and/or the part number of the tip you want to replace, which determines the seat type.
If you skip this step, damage to the equipment or dangerous flammable gas leakage can result. Also, tip seats vary greatly with torch model.
Metal Thickness
The size of the center hole of the cutting and gouging tip delivers the proper amount of oxygen at the proper pressure for a specific metal thickness.
Also, the size of the pre-heat orifice handles the proper amounts of mixed gas to heat a given thickness of metal adequately. Oxy-fuel equipment is capable of cutting mild steel from 3 mm (1/8″) to 300 mm (12″).
Application
The unique design of the tips determines the proper application use. There are different tips for cutting, gouging and heating. They may be one of the following:
- one-piece of solid copper
- two-piece hybrid with a brass inner piece and a copper outer piece
Additionally, some tips are designed specifically to use with automated cutting machinery for high-pressure cutting that permits the following type of cuts:
- quicker
- cleaner
- more accurate
Fuel Gas
There are numerous types of gases in oxy-fuel cutting operations. Each fuel gas utilizes a different cutting tip design.
They also optimize how the delivery of oxygen and gas occurs.
Acetylene
Acetylene is the hottest most-versatile gas. In addition, it is very easy to use for all purposes. Because the flame temperature is between 5,600 and 5,800°F, pre-heat time for cutting and gouging is relatively short.
However, this gas is the most expensive available and is not the most efficient for heating large areas.
Propylene
Propylene is common as a generic name for many types of gases. These range from specific gases—with their own chemical formulae—to gases that are primarily propane mixtures with ethylene or other chemicals that typically burn hotter than propane.
Cutting, gouging and heating can all require reasonable efficiency. While pre-heat times can be longer, using the proper tip design can eliminate this issue. Propylene yields flame temperature between 4,800 and 5,300°F. This gas is not common for welding.
Propane and Natural Gas
Propane and natural gas have flame temperatures between 4,500 and 4,600°F and are the least expensive gases available.
In addition, propane has a high BTU output and large heavy heating tips that are available. Therefore, it is the most efficient for heating. These gases are not used for welding.
These are just the basics to consider when choosing the right cutting tip for the job. Brazos Industries, Inc. is a metal fabrication located in Bryan/College Station. With the help of our dedicated staff and loyal customers, we have grown into a company that serves a diverse array of industries. Over the years, the company has expanded and we continue to add capabilities of new machinery to satisfy growing customer needs. We carry a wide array of steel products for any of your current or future project needs. Contact us with the link below to purchase any of our products in inventory!
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Bryan, TX 77803
Office: (979) 314-0993
Fax: (979) 823-1439