Flame cutting is a term applied to a variety of processes that produce cut plate. Flame cut products range from simple rectangles, circles, and rings, to intricate shapes custom-cut to specification. O'Neal may convert these items to semi-finished parts using additional processes including, but not limited to, beveling, machining, punching, drilling, and forming.
Oxy-Fuel Cutting - In oxy-fuel cutting, steel is cut by the chemical reaction between oxygen and the base metal at an elevated temperature. Multiple torches on a single machine can cut almost all grades of carbon and alloy steel plate. It will not work on stainless, aluminum, or nickel alloys because they lack enough carbon to burn. Oxy-fuel cutting is best utilized on heavy gauge plate.
Plasma Arc Cutting - In plasma arc cutting, a column of electrically charged gas creates a high-energy arc, which melts the material being worked in a narrow path. Plasma arc is used to cut light thickness to medium thickness carbon steel, as well as stainless, nickel, alloys, and aluminum. Plasma arc machines utilize cutting heads, which move at a high rate of speed over a stationary plate or sheet. Plasma arc is much faster than oxy-fuel cutting, and does not induce as much stress to the metal being cut.
Both oxy-fuel and plasma arc cutting utilize computer numerically controlled (CNC) systems for the highest degree of accuracy. If necessary, we can manually program machines using your blueprints or drawings; but direct file transfer via DXF enables us to bypass that step, which ensures greater accuracy in programming and reduces turnaround time for virtually every job. For still greater efficiency, O'Neal's nesting software helps reduce scrap by maximizing the number of products per sheet or plate.
O'Neal can use a hydraulic flattening press to accommodate special flatness tolerances. For special cleaning requirements, O'Neal can shot blast, tumble blast, and slag grind flame cut parts. Special packaging is also available upon request.