Plasma, water or laser cutting?

[ZRrrr]

Need a couple 3/8" thick 304 (1.4301) stainless plates made up. Roughly 20" x 7". Four corner holes and four pump mounting holes. Outside edges need to be beveled as do the tops of the holes. Plates will need to be polished but not sure of spec yet. What's the best method for having this done, plasma, water or laser?

Any suggestions on Edmonton area company whom will do good work? I'm thinking water would provide the best quality finish?

 

[rknight111]

I have used this place a few years ago, http://www.techcut.com/index.php?page=home

 

[neilsleder]

Laser would be best but not many would be able to bevel the plate with it. Water jet would be next but honestly don’t know any places that will be able to cut that bevel. Might be cheaper to buy flat bar and do it the old fashion way?

 

[ABMax24]

What are the tolerances required? A plasma table with a bevel head could accomplish this, but it's definitely not going to give you machine shop tolerances.

I think I'm with @neilsleder on this, if you're only building a couple a guy could probably do it faster with an angle grinder and a drill press than finding a shop with the right equipment to do it.

 

[Rotax_Kid]

Because of the bevel, you're going to be limited. I've have some work done out of Ontario for work like this. Couldn't find anyone with a laser, and few have water. This particular company had a multiaxis hi def plasma. For that thickness, I doubt you'd find a noticable difference in cut quality. The bevel requirement is going to make things challenging

 

[neilsleder]

Thinking more about this flat bar or plate cut to size then a machine shop to do the rest. That would give best results and be the easiest to source out.

 

[kovs]

Depending how big the plate is anyone with plasma or laser could cut it. Then need mill or cnc to do bevels shouldn’t be hard but will add up $$

 

[catalac]

have had a couple pieces cut with a laser cutter at penhold, not sure if better than a water jet but but I know far nicer than plasma.

 

[ZRrrr]

Here are a couple pics of the piece the factory sent. Need a larger piece like this with less holes.

 

[TylerG]

Here are a couple pics of the piece the factory sent. Need a larger piece like this with less holes.

Duane, give Paul a shout @ Wynn Machine & Manufacturing, if anyone can help you out, it's probably him.

Wynn | Edmonton Machine Shop Since 1976

Wynn Machine and Manufacturing Custom Oil and Gas Parts and Accessories in Edmonton Alberta Since 1976

www.wynnmachine.com

 

[X-it]

I never looked around much on panic door hardware...would 6x20 work?

6 x 20 Stainless Steel Push Plate - Doorware.com

www.doorware.com

 

[X-it]

Whoops missed the 3/8 thick ..sorry

 

[firstdoo]

Should be easy enough to do that yourself. You can buy the plate cut to size from any metal supplier. Use a grinder, file, and stone for your bevels. Drill press, drill bit, and chamfer bit for the holes. Lots of machine shops or welding shop should be able to spit them out quickly if you don't do it yourself.

Wondering why the plate would need to be polished if its a pump base though?

 

[Jobu]

In Edmonton, try these guys -

For Laser -
Schmidt Laserworks
GC Custom Metal
Raylin Manufacturing
For Waterjet -
Metal Fabricators and Welding (They can bevel waterjet cut)
Waterjet Inc

I would stay away from plasma for this.

 

[rknight111]

Raylin does good work, they manufactured the covers for the heaters in the McBride cabins that I designed. Dealt with Jeff there, that was several years ago. They build anything with metal.

 

[ZRrrr]

Really appreciate all the feedback. This is for a pharmaceutical application so has to be perfect.

 

[team dirt]

Brooks industrial metal has water and laser and can make anything you need. I’m sure the bevel wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Jobu]

Really appreciate all the feedback. This is for a pharmaceutical application so has to be perfect.

Most shops are fully aware of the tolerances their machines provide. Just be clear what yours are when you're talking to them.

 

[DRD]

If you want the bevels etc. why not get it done on a regular mill? If you need multiples a CNC could punch them out faster than you could bolt them up....