Voortman V304

Voortman V304 Details:
FAST HEIGHT CONTROL
After the nesting is started and the machine starts cutting, an average of more than 30% of the total processing time is the positioning time of the torch and the constant initial height sensing (IHS). So you can imagine that, reducing your cut to cut time or positioning time significantly reduces your total processing time.

To reduce your positioning time, Voortman developed the Voortman Height Control (VHC), the fastest height control on the market. Together with optimized cut to cut paths positioning times have been reduced to a minimum. The VHC is used for oxy-fuel and plasma cutting and has a speed of 365 mm/s and an acceleration of 2000 mm/s2 which is unmatched.

DOUBLE YOUR PRODUCTION CAPACITY WITH TWO PLASMA TORCHES.
The Voortman V304 can be equipped with up to two plasma cutting torches for even faster processing. Based on the nesting and position of the products the Voortman V304 automatically determines if it can cut with two torches or just with one plasma cutting head. During a nesting it can also switch between one head or two plasma cutting heads automatically.

BEST NESTING ALGORITHMS WITH SIGMANEST
Voortman offers the advanced nesting engine SigmaNEST for their plate cutting machines for increasing material optimization and cutting efficiency. Advanced nesting algorithms ensure a better part yield and maximize material usage while optimizing the cutting cycle times. At Voortman we always include SigmaNEST in our steel processing machines because we believe an excellent nesting program is as important as the machine itself.

EXTENSIVE HOLE PERFORMANCE
The Voortman Xtensive Hole Performance is developed to optimize holes and inner contours with high definition plasma cutting, resulting in laser like cutting results. To achieve this, Voortman further optimized the Hypertherm® True Hole™ and Kjellberg® Contour Cut range by creating a perfect match between the technology and dynamic movement of the Voortman V304.

Next to this, the Xtensive Hole Performance is applied on small to medium sized slot holes and square inner contours. Damage by lead-ins and lead-outs is eliminated, creating nothing but a perfect slot hole or square inner contour.

The Xtensive Hole Performance is also developed for cutting holes in aluminum and stainless steel creating far better results than ever possible before. For aluminum it is now possible to cut a good quality hole with a diameter which is at least 1,5 x the thickness. For stainless steel it is possible to cut a good quality hole which has a diameter of at least two times the thickness. Voortman Xtensive Hole Performance is standard integrated in the VACAM operating software and will be standard selected when cutting small holes.

ACCURATE X & Y MOVEMENT
To meet your cutting quality requirements, it is important that the X & Y movement runs in a stable, smooth and quiet way with as minimal vibrations as possible. Therefore, Voortman took the next step in cutting accuracy with the transmission systems of the Voortman V304. Transmission systems with almost no play ensure nothing but a smooth cutting surface. An accurate linear guidance ensures a stable and equal movement which results in very accurate cutting quality. The X rails are equipped with a helical rack and pinion transmission with reduced backlash. This ensures an increased accuracy and more dynamic movement compared to a straight rack and pinion. The dynamics are also fully optimized and accelerations/decelerations are smooth and leveled. Vibrations are minimized creating nothing else than a low roughness cutting surface and an accurate product.

ELIMINATE TAPER CAUSED BY PLASMA
The I-cut correction fully eliminates taper caused by the plasma process. Angular deviation or taper in the cutting surface is a typical attribute of plasma cutting. Voortman now introduced the I-cut correction which counteracts the taper with a bevel correction. Taper in the cutting surface is fully eliminated. Arc lag usually also occurs when cutting holes. With the I-cut correction taper with holes is even fully eliminated. Hole tolerances can even match tolerances of holes created by drilling.

PREVENT SLAG FORMATION DURING PIERCING
Slag formation during piercing is a common problem when cutting with plasma. The blast from piercing the material creates a volcanic effect which blows molten metal over the material. To prevent this, Voortman developed the ‘Dross Inhibitor’. The Dross inhibitor sprays oil at the piercing area just before piercing, this allows for the slag to bounce of the oil layer and in this way it has no chance of attaching to the plate. The Dross Inhibitor not only significantly reduces the post processing time but it will also increase the cutting quality.

EASY REMOUNTING WITH 3D COLLISION
When a collision occurs, mounting the torch back always took some time. Therefore, the Voortman plasma and oxy-fuel unit uses a magnet holder where the torch can easily be remounted back in the holder to minimize downtime of the machine after a collision.

EASY RESTARTING IN CASE OF ARC LOSS
When the arc is lost or the cut is interrupted, the torch can be easily moved back to the point of failure without the flame burning. From the point of failure the torch can ignite and continue the cut. Another possibility is to move the torch from the contour, start in the waste material, move towards the contour automatically and continue the cutting process.

FLEXIBLE PLATE MEASUREMENT
Easy plate measurement with more complex scrap shapes. Based on the shape of the plate and the cut-outs an operator can choose with which corner he wants to define the zero position of the plate. The angle of how the plate is lying on the table can also be automatically calculated by VACAM operating software by manually measuring specific points of the side of the plate.

LARGE LASER POINTER
The outer dimensions of the plate are measured with a laser. Because Voortman uses a Large Laser Pointer, this laser is easy visible for the operator, even at back of the table.

PANEL MOVES WITH BRIDGE
Because the panel moves together with the bridge the operator can follow the process up close while operating the machine. Changes in oxy-fuel parameters (e.g. speed and height) during cutting based on changes in the plate temperature can be done easily without walking back and forth between the operating panel and the bridge. Because Voortman also includes VACAM Office all preparation for the next nesting can be done at the office.

FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE
The cable tray can be mounted on floor level or above the machine on both sides of the machine. By positioning the cables above the machine, precious floor space is saved. Another advantage of putting the cable tray high is to prevent splatter from damaging the cables. The height of the cable tray above the floor can be chosen upon customer demands.

The control panel can be mounted on both sides of the machine depending on the production flow and layout of your workshop. The Voortman V304 can be equipped with water tables, downdraft tables and automatic slag removal tables. Table widths, table lengths and the number of tables can be fully customized to customer preferences. Multiple gantries on one rail are also possible. Based on the infrastructure and the output the Voortman V304 can be changed to perfectly synergize with your production.

Various torch combinations can be made depending on the type of work processed. Combinations of oxy-fuel units, 3D plasma beveling units, inkjet marking units or straight plasma units can be made depending on what has to be cut and marked on a yearly basis. Required flexibility, cutting costs, thicknesses and materials processed all form a factor in the right decision. Discuss with our sales department what the best solution could be for your workshop.

TRUEVOLT
TrueVolt corrects the arc voltage for the electrode wear. The torch probes the material and measures the arc voltage at the exact same point to correct for electrode wear. The probed value will be the reference point for maintaining the right height during the cut.

The arc voltage is therefore not based on standard values in the software but a variable based on consumable wear. A constant cutting quality is guaranteed during the main lifetime of the consumables. The consumable life is also maximized because the torch height stays the same even when the electrode is almost fully worn. With TrueVolt actions from the operator are reduced which minimizes human errors.

AUTOMATIC BEVEL CALIBRATION
With the automatic bevel calibration feature in VACAM, the software compensates for any mechanical inaccuracy causes by a torch collision. The compensations are required to cut a perfect bevel product. The automatic bevel calibration feature is standard included in our own-developed VACAM software. The corrections are calculated automatically by the software. No operator knowledge or operations are required so human errors are eliminated.

AUTOMATIC NESTING AND NC-PROGRAMMING WITH SIGMANEST
Voortman offers the advanced nesting engine SigmaNEST for their plate cutting machines for increasing material optimization and cutting efficiency. Advanced nesting algorithms ensure a better part yield and maximize material usage while optimizing the cutting cycle times. A powerful automatic nesting algorithm within SigmaNEST minimizes material scrap. The NC-path for the plate cutting machine is automatically created based on customer preferences. Plates can also be automatically cropped and remnants can be automatically created when desired and stored in the library.
HIGH DEFINITION PLASMA CUTTING
The plasma sources for the Voortman V304 are all equipped with the latest technology called High Definition plasma. The technology High Definition gives the plasma arc more stability and energy and even higher quality cutting results are possible. High definition plasma offers even similar quality results as the cuts made by laser in terms of angularity and dross. Voortman offers various plasma cutting systems with maximum cutting currents from 130 up to 440 amps which allow our customers to cut plates up to 100 mm (4“) thickness.

While the plasma process itself got more complicated our VACAM software counteracted this development. With our own developed VACAM software all the parameters are automatically controlled which makes a quality plasma cut more a configured science than operator knowledge. Parameters like kerf offset, height control, pierce time delay and gas flow are all controlled by our VACAM control software to ensure the best quality cut. All these parameters are automatically selected based on the cutting amperage and the material and thickness processed. A quality cut is cut by VACAM without any operator intervention.

OXY-FUEL CUTTING
When weld preparations are necessary in thicker mild steel plasma is not always an option.

The oxy-fuel torch is fitted with proportional gas valves which automatically control the gas flow for automatic pre-heating, piercing and cutting. The gas mix is selected based on the thickness and nozzle size from parameters stored in the VACAM operating software. Pressure and gas flow can be controlled from the VACAM control panel so even heavy parts are easy to produce. The flame ignites automatically so no manual proceedings are required to start the cutting flame. It is possible to interrupt the pre-heating process and start cutting immediately by using the control panel. An automatic height console controls the height of the oxy-fuel cutting torch with a capacitive sensor during pre-heating, piercing and cutting.

USER-FRIENDLY OPERATING SOFTWARE
Every machine in the Voortman delivery program is equipped with the VACAM operating software. As a result all machines have the same “look-and-feel” which significantly reduces the learning curve for the end user.

ONLINE CONNECTION WITH PLASMA SOURCE
There is an online connection with VACAM operating software and the plasma source. Because of this online connection we are able to read fault messages of the plasma source and anticipate on this. This enables us to provide fast and efficient assistance in case of questions or disruptions, also on the plasma source. Customers can always contact Voortman in case of need.

VACAM OFFICE EDITION
The VACAM Office Edition is developed in the same style, and works in a similar way as the VACAM Machine Edition. It can be installed at the office to create products and monitor the production process in real-time. The VACAM Office Edition has a reduced user interface, because it is not used for machine control.

EASY PREPARING AND TRACKING OF NESTINGS
The office version of Voortman’s proprietary operating software, VACAM Office, connects directly to the machine. It can be installed at the office to create products and monitor the production process in real-time. With VACAM Office works preparation can follow exactly which nesting is in production, which nesting is already produced and which is still waiting in line. Any changes made in the office are immediately visible on the machine. All operations can optionally be programmed or modified either at the machine or with VACAM Office.

Besides this, VACAM analyzes the imported products and nestings instantly. If there are any foreseeable production problems the integrated problem solver will be started and will suggest the best solution(s). This increases the efficiency and runtime of the system because it will not stop during production and these production problems can be solved before the operator wants to run the program.

VACAD EDITOR
VACAD Editor is a flexible drawing tool, integrated in VACAM. It can be used to create and modify contours, holes, imprints, marks etc. for cutting and layout marking processes. The VACAD module shows the actual dimensions and is a pleasant tool to work with. Created contours can be saved in templates, which can also be inserted in other products.

VARIOUS MARKING OPTIONS
The Voortman V304 can be equipped with different marking technologies. Based on requirements such as:

• Allowed heat distortion
• Required marking speed
• Required number of characters and data size
• Depth of marking, based on post processes
• Technology or marking costs

INKJET MARKING
Inkjet marking leaves a mark with absolutely no heat distortion. Marking speeds are up 20 m/min which makes it the fastest marking option available. Inkjet marking is mostly used for large data sizes and a high amount of characters. Marking consumable costs are also negligible. However, marking is temporary and is not visible after shot blasting, galvanizing and painting.

The Voortman V304 can be equipped with an inkjet marking unit which can print all types of lines, texts and layout marks onto a plate. It is designed to operate with the greatest accuracy, even at the high speed of 20 m/min.

The inkjet marking unit is equipped with a 16 nozzle, stepless rotatable printing head, which can rotate 360°. This enables printing of texts in all directions. Also the text height can easily be regulated between 3 mm and 67 mm by rotation of the printing head. The dot size can be adjusted on the control unit, to the desired value

PLASMA MARKING
Marking by plasma creates a surface discoloration and vaporizes a small amount of material. For plasma marking, the plasma unit will automatically switch to Argon gas for optimal layout marking results. The marking amperage and speed can be increased and decreased to adjust the visibility. With increased amperage the marking will be visible after shot blasting, galvanizing and painting. Marking speeds depend on the depth of the mark but are up to 7,5 m/min (24-1/2 ft/min) and is normally meant for leaving marks of 0.4 millimeters deep.

PERFORMANCE SCRIBE
Performance Scribe by plasma creates deeper marks than marking by plasma because Performance Scribe is done with compressed air or nitrogen. Besides leaving a deeper mark other advantages of Performance Scribe are that considerably less consumable wear occurs and since you don’t use Argon gas, no gas change and gas supply will be necessary.

The advantage of plasma marking and Performance Scribe is that it can be done with the same plasma unit.

PLASMA BEVELING
The Voortman V304 can be equipped with a sophisticated and accurate plasma 3D bevel unit to make fully automated, high quality bevel cuts. Parts don't need to be moved to a preparation area for weld preparation anymore. Different types of bevel cuts / weld preparations are possible (A, V, X, Y and K). With the I-cut correction Voortman even extended the functionality of its plasma 3D bevel module. Also countersunk holes can be made with the beveling unit. The plasma 3D bevel unit with five axes enables a bevel angle up to 50° in all directions. All 5 axes are controlled by Voortman, which makes the system totally independent of other manufacturers. The bevel is suitable for standard torches of Hypertherm and Kjellberg with the gas valves closer to the torch. Because the gas can be controlled faster and better, the consumable wear is decreased during ramp down.