Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Share tips and tricks regarding cut cutting, material handling, metal finishing, marketing, or anything you find helpful.
Post Reply
AD80
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:12 pm

Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Post by AD80 »

Hey folks,

I have a sprocket for a trench cutter to make out of 30mm plate - The mechanised pierce of the hypertherm 125 is 25mm, so I'll have to start from the edge to cut the outside of the sprocket. It has a 50mm hole in the centre to be located on a shaft and welded - I guess I'll need to drill a hole for it to starts from.

What tips does everyone have - this is the thickest material I have cut to date! :shock:

Cheers,
Ant.
plasmanewbie
4.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
4.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 2553
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:15 am

Re: Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Post by plasmanewbie »

well i'm no pro but do test cuts in the known waste area of the material to practice that 50mm hole so you can get your speed down to where it will cut square as possible for that shaft to be welded. I would do a dry run also and pause the machine at both pierce points and just to a quick test fire of the torch to mark the locations of the holes to be drilled for the edge starts. Don't test fire too long or it will harden the surface making it tougher to drill. Best of luck!!
AD80
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:12 pm

Re: Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Post by AD80 »

My first shot at edge starting on thick material ;)
CE749184-682D-4016-9123-634A00E4AC40.jpeg

You currently do not have access to download this file.
To gain download access for DXF, SVG & other files Click Here

User avatar
_Ogre
3.5 Star Member
3.5 Star Member
Posts: 529
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 4:26 pm
Location: Motown

Re: Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Post by _Ogre »

nice cut quality!
bulltear 4x8 cnc plasma table, candcnc bladerunner w/dthc, hypertherm powermax 65, sheetcam, mach3
laser cross hair for hypertherm torch http://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12508
an ogre smiley :mrgreen: how cool!
AD80
1 Star Member
1 Star Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:12 pm

Re: Cutting a sprocket from 30mm steel - tips?

Post by AD80 »

Yes, I’m very pleased with the outcome! Great cut quality and it was all done using hypertherms recomended book settings.
As it was my first time doing an edge start etc - I contacted Swiftcut for advice, they kindly offered to send an engineer to my premises and gave me half a days training! Great service!

The picture shows the new sprocket on the old shaft and how worn it the old one was! This one will be welded to a new shaft. I was also impressed how true the hole was condsodering it was 50mm diameter in 30mm thick material.
BE3553BD-F101-43FB-BC01-C1B23BE7F90E.jpeg

You currently do not have access to download this file.
To gain download access for DXF, SVG & other files Click Here

Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips From Other Members”