Used Equipment

Plasma CNC Drill Line Runs Rings Around Standard Equipment

The economy of structural steel fabrication is very dependent on the path the workpiece travels as it goes from raw steel inventory to eventual loading on a truck headed for the job site. Every time the workpiece is “touched” adds delay and cost to the final finished beam, channel or angle.

A beam with ten or so bolt holes and cut to length has really very few “touches” . But many fabricated sections are considerably more complicated than that.

For example, complete fabrication recently performed on an 96″ W16x31 structural beam involved three dozen unique operations:

* Front Trim Miter Cut 1/4″
* 2 Copes on the front of the beam
* 3 Bolt Holes on that same end of the beam
* 6 bolt hole angled cluster on web
* 4 layout marks on web
* 2 bolt holes on top flange
* 2 bolt holes on bottom flange
* 3 slots on web at rear of beam
* Piece Mark – 2 Lines – 9 characters total
* Flange notch cut flush with web (each end of the beam)
* Cope on rear of beam
* Notch cut on flange

An analysis of fabricating this section by three different “paths” was very revealing in terms of the time requirements that result.

To begin, the “high touch” path is a traditional manual approach. The beam has to be measured and marked, then cut on the bandsaw. After that, there is plenty of “manual” drilling (admittedly using a heavy duty drill press) and significant thermal (torch) cutting to make the copes and flange cuts, in addition to stamping by hand to make the nine letter piece marks. The total time involved to perform these processes was estimated to be 120 minutes – 2 hours. But because of the transport involved and the time in queue at subsequent stations, the clock time would cover at least two shifts – normally two days at most shops.

Second, a more updated and automated approach was used to fabricate the section. This involved cutting the piece to length on the bandsaw, then shuttling it to a beam drill line to make the thirteen bolt holes and three slots. The newer CNC drill lines can probe the steel section to determine location and dimensions, then put the holes according to instructions determined by specialized software. The remaining features have to be measured and marked on the beam before cutting. Then cutting is done by hand coping torch, plate burning machine, and stamping in the piecemark letters. The total time for this approach is 82 minutes. Again, when including the time needed to shuttle the workpiece between stations and time waiting at those stations, the actual clock time totals to take most of a shift.

Then the piece was fabricated on a new and one-of-kind approach. All features were produced on a single machine – a robotic plasma cutting system. Using this approach, there is no use for any measuring or marking. The sensor tip probes the workpiece for position and geometery, then follows its own calculated cutting instructions it calculates from standard software files of the workpiece downloaded into the operator control from programs like TEKLA, SD/2,StruCAD and others.

PythonX starts cutting on the section and doesn’t stop until it’s done . . . 10 minutes and 13 seconds later. All thirty seven features are fabricated in this time and the beam is completed. There is no time lost in moving the piece or waiting , therefore the time from beginning to completion isn’t a day, or a shift . . . it’s the time needed for a standard coffee break.

About the Author

Details on this advanced method of structural fabrication can be found at these links exploring the new plasma cutting CNC drill line:
PythonX is the next evolution of the CNC Drill Line
Redefining the Economics of the Beam Drill Line

SPEB 322 CARBIDE INSERT CENTER CUTTING END MILL slot drill K-TOOL USA DM-1000 $0.99

8020 T Slot Self Drilling Screw #8 x 1/2 9325 (25pcs) N $1.75

4mm Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutter $2.89

5mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $2.97

6mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $3.06

6mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $3.06

4mm Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutter $3.23

5mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $3.36

6mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $3.47

5mm Cutting Diameter 4 Flutes Slot Drill HSS End Mill $3.52

5mm Cutting Diameter 4 Flutes Slot Drill HSS End Mill $3.55

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $3.62

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $3.63

4mm Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutter $3.70

4mm Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutter $3.71

5mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $3.80

5mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $3.83

6mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $3.89

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $3.93

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $3.94

5mm Cutting Diameter 4 Flutes Slot Drill HSS End Mill $3.95

5mm Cutting Diameter 4 Flutes Slot Drill HSS End Mill $4.11

6mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $4.15

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $4.29

5mm Cutting Diameter 4 Flutes Slot Drill HSS End Mill $4.31

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $4.32

8mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $4.34

8mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $4.51

Sutton Straight Slot Shank HSS Drills Drillbits- 11.5mm $4.89

CoHSS Endmill Slot Drill 9mm, 10mm threaded shank $4.89

HSS Drills Drillbits Straight shk with slot 7/16″ -MPG $4.89

HSS Drills Drillbits Straight shk + slot 11.5mm GUHRING $4.89

4MM HSCO8 FC3 3 FLUTED SLOT DRILL END MILL MILLING CUTTER EUROPA TOOLS 6mm SHANK $5.16

6MM HSS C08 FC3 3 FLUTED BOTTOM CUTTING SLOT DRILL END MILL EUROPA NEW BOXED #A6 $5.16

10mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $5.51

3MM CUTTER HSS THREADED SHANK SLOT DRILL CUTTER *BRAND NEW* $5.65

10mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $5.69

Slot Drill 1/4″ HSSCo FC3 Weldon Flatted Shank $5.76

Slot Drill 6mm HSSCo Threaded Shank $5.76

Slot Drill 5/32″ HSSCo FC3 Weldon Flatted Shank $5.76

CRAFTSMAN early push drill with 4 slot chuck and bits $5.99

Tanged MTS1 Endmill Cutter Slot Drill 5/32″ TEC NEW $5.86

Clarkson 7mm Slot Drill, Milling Cutter, Unused Old Stock $6.27

5 OFF 2MM DIA CARBIDE BALLNOSED SLOT DRILLS USED $6.27

End Mills Slot Drills, 13/32″, straight threaded shank. P&N, Dormer, Sutton $6.35

12mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $6.63

12mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $6.64

Endmill Slot Drill- 1/2″, straight threaded shank $6.74

12mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $6.75

Slot Drill 11/64″ HSSCo FC3 Weldon Flatted Shank Long $6.57

Slot Drill 13/64″ HSSCo FC3 Weldon Flatted Shank Long $6.57

Slot Drill 29/64″ HSS Threaded Shank $6.57

12mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $6.86

Cobalt End Mills Slot Drills, 9/32″, 3/8″ threaded shk $6.84

Cobalt End Mills Slot Drills, 17/64″, 3/8″ threaded shk $6.84

CoHSS Endmills Slot Drill 7/16″, 1/2 threaded shank $6.84

Endmill Slot Drill- 12mm, straight screw shank Sutton $6.74

Cobalt End Mills Slot Drills, 5/16″, 3/8″ threaded shk $6.84

CoHSS Endmill Slot Drill 10mm, straight 10mm threaded shank $6.84

14mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $7.03

14mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $7.03

2.06MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE SLOT DRILL(0.6MM CNR RAD)NEW $7.06

2.25MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE BALLNOSED SLOT DRILL NEW $7.06

2.2MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE BALLNOSED SLOT DRILL NEW $7.06

2.55MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE BALLNOSED SLOT DRILL NEW $7.06

2.75MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE BALLNOSED SLOT DRILL NEW $7.06

Straight Shank Slot Drill Milling Cutters Three Flute End Mill Bit $7.29

14mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $7.40

14mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $7.41

Mohawk 3 Flute Drill/Slot Drill 8mm Diameter x 80mm Long, Unused Old Stock $7.45

Dormer 5mm Long Series Slot Drill, Unused. $7.29

HSS Slot Drill 7/32″ (2 Flute) SLOTDRILL MILL $7.61

K&S .080 Tap & Drill for Slot Car Motors $7.75

5-OFF 5/16″ (7.94MM) L/S EUROPA HSCO8 2-FLUTE SLOT DRILLS $7.76

8mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Router Bit Slot Drill $7.83

Dormer C191 – 2.5mm S.S Slot Drill HSCO (1 off) $7.83

Dormer C191 – 1/8″ S.S Slot Drill HSCO (1 off) $7.83

Dormer C191 – 1/16″ S.S Slot Drill HSCO (1 off) $7.83

CoHSS Endmills Slot Drill 1/2″, straight 1/2″ threaded shank $7.82

HSS Slot Drill 7/32″ (2 Flute) LONG SERIES slotdrill $7.84

G.C.D.C SLOT DRILL 2 FLUTE 5/16″ SCREWED SHANK $7.84

10pc POWER DRIVER DRILL BITS 2 SETS BIT SLOT / PHILLIPS FREE SHIPPING $8.19

Slot Drill 7mm HSSCo FC3 Weldon Flatted Shank Long $8.22

Endmill Slot drill 5/16″ Long 3/8″ threaded shank, Osborn $8.79

Endmill Slot drill 9/32″ Long 3/8″ threaded shk $8.79

Cleveland Twist Drill 6in Slot Cutting Disc/Carbide Saw Blade$Lathe$Machine Tool $8.95

8020 T Slot Aluminum 10 S .201 Drill Jig Bushing 6121 N $8.95

10mm Dia Two Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Router Bit $9.08

HSS Slot Drill 12mm (2 Flute) Slotdrill $9.08

16mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $9.36

8020 T Slot Aluminum 15 S .281 Drill Jig Bushing 6076 N $9.45

Endmill Slot drill, 11/32″, long 3/8″ threaded shank. P&N, TEC $9.67

18mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $9.64

1.68MM DIAMETER SOLID CARBIDE SLOT DRILL (TiALN) NEW $9.41

TRUBOR SLOT DRILL 7mm CUT 10mm SCREWED SHANK 525A $9.41

16mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $9.75

16mm Dia Double Flute Parallel Shank Slot Drill Cutter $9.75

CoHSS Endmills Slot Drill 9/16″, 1/2″ threaded shank $9.67

Endmill Slot drill 15/32″ long 1/2″ threaded Shank, Osborn $9.67

CoHSS long Endmill Slot drill 1/2″, straight threaded shank $9.67