June 17, 2014
June News & Highlights
Rilco is able to provide almost any type of steel fabrication -- from un-insulated pipe shoes, pipe anchors and hold down clamps, to structural supports. This is possible because we utilize four different steel cutting systems that each provides certain benefits for various situations. By having several of each type of cutting system available at our facilities we are better able to meet our clients' steel fabrication needs.
Plasma Cutting System
This machine is the lowest in purchase price and also maintains the lowest operating cost than alternatives. It has the fastest production rate (anywhere between 60-220 ipm), but the lowest cut edge quality and lowest cut part precision. However, to ensure top-quality products from Rilco, we use the highest quality plasma cutting machines available that utilize the latest technologies and are engineered for high torque and high resolution.
Waterjet Cutting System
The waterjet system is mid-range in regard to purchase cost, but has the highest operating cost compared to alternatives. Waterjets have the slowest production rate (anywhere from less than 1 to 15ipm), but maintain the highest cut edge quality, as well as the best cut part precision with no heat distortion. It also is the most flexible when it comes to the materials it is capable of cutting.
Laser Cutting System
Compared to the Plasma and Waterjet cutting system the laser cutting system comes in at the highest purchase price and mid-range operating cost. The laser system produces at a slower rate than the plasma (between 20 to 70ipm), but is a close second when it comes to its cut edge quality as well as the cut part precision. There is a small chance the laser can cause heat distortion and is strictly limited to metalics, some plastics and fiberglass, and some fabric.
Oxy-Fuel Cutting System
This cutting process rapidly oxidizes the steel in an exothermic reaction and is widely used for cutting steel of all shapes and sizes.
Oxy-fuel cutting is done in three steps:
(1) Preheat – steel is heated to kindling temperature (1800°F) at which it readily reacts with oxygen
(2) Piercing – once the steel is at temperature a jet of pure oxygen (cutting oxygen) is used to pierce through the plate of steel
(3) Cutting – when the cutting oxygen finally reaches through the thickness of the plate, the torch will move at a constant speed, ultimately forming the necessary cut Low carbon steel and some low alloys can be cut with this process since they contain oxides with a lower melting point than the base metal. Metals that form an oxide with a higher melting temperature than the original metal being cut cannot utilize this process.