O'Neal utilizes plasma punching machines which combine plasma cutting, punching and tapping in one piece of equipment and one continuous operation. This allows us to produce complicated sheet and plate parts much more economically than if we used separate machines and setups for each process.
Plasma punching is ideal for parts requiring consistency from one part to the next. An automated tool changer makes equipment changes fast and efficient, so a single sheet or plate requiring multiple processes can be handled in a matter of minutes. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) systems ensure uniform movement of the plate or sheet in the plasma punch and allow us to produce parts to close tolerances. Computerized programming allows CAD/CAM drawings to be downloaded directly into our programming system. Without blueprints or second-hand programming, the chance for error is substantially reduced.
O'Neal can plasma punch sheet or plate. In sheet, we can handle most grades of carbon and alloy steel, stainless, nickel alloys, and aluminum. In plate, we can punch carbon steel (hot rolled, floor plate, and cold rolled), alloy steel, stainless, nickel alloys, and aluminum. In general, we can handle 1/2" and under in thickness and 60" and under in width.
Once plasma punching is complete, these precision parts can be sent to more complex secondary operations such as forming, machining, painting, and more.