Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrian Clark
I cannot stress enough how important it is to test new fabrication methods before the season. In 2013 I tried to cut a bellypan out of .090 5052 Al on a plasmacam machine, a machine I had never used before. When I came to the shop and showed the staff what I was making they told me it wouldn't work, and they were right. As I was cutting out the profile the sheet began to warp, I had to give up shortly after I started because the sheet bent up and hit the torch. This is exactly what I was warned would happen.
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I've had to cut a fairly large sign out on a plasmacam machine and ruined a nice piece of material due to this issue, I then tried again but leapfrogged around the piece doing various cutouts far away from others. This technique allowed enough time for the sheet to stay relatively cool and prevent warping, but it did take awhile longer.
Sometimes all it takes is the right technique.
(also CIMs are Gloss black paint, just not as glossy as that render, and the end caps are tumble finish)
-Aren