Abstract: A cutting machine is provided, including: a cutting table having a first end and a second end aligned along an X-axis; a cutting tool gantry configured to cut parts from plate supported on the cutting table, the cutting tool gantry spanning the cutting table in a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis and being configured to travel along the X-axis between the first end and the second end; and a part transfer apparatus configured to remove cut parts from the cutting table, the part transfer apparatus being configured to travel along the X-axis between the first end and the second end, wherein the part transfer apparatus is able to pass underneath the cutting tool gantry while travelling along the X-axis. Methods of manufacturing and storing parts are also provided, along with a method of identifying when a part is in contact with a finishing apparatus.

Abstract: A separator apparatus is provided for a cutting machine which separates chips from coolant, wherein the separator includes a fluid chamber into which an airborne mixture of chips and coolant driven by an airflow enters via an entry port, the separator apparatus being configured to: sufficiently slow the speed of the airborne mixture once inside the chamber so that the chips and coolant separate out from the airflow; retain the chips and coolant released from the airborne mixture in the fluid chamber; and allow air from the airborne mixture to exit the fluid chamber via an air outlet; wherein the fluid chamber includes a chip collector which captures the chips and enables the chips to be separated and removed from the coolant in the chamber; and wherein the fluid chamber includes a coolant outlet through which coolant, from which the chips have been removed, is able to exit.

Abstract: A replaceable ring shaped member for a clamp foot air jet apparatus for a clamp foot for clamping a plate for a cutting tool, includes a clamp foot assembly having an outer ring shaped member fluidly and supportably connectable to the removably ring shaped member. The inner ring shaped member includes a central aperture for the cutting of a plate to be located. An outer curved edge surface of the inner ring shaped member includes at least one abutting surface to sealingly abut a curved edge of the outer ring member includes a groove for directing air from the outer ring member and through at least one hole in the inner member, whereby a fluid can be directed through each hole to the central aperture, and whereby at least one fluid jet can be formed to move coolant and/or waste from the cutting location with respect to the clamp foot.

Abstract: A machine is provided, including at least one cutting tool in the form of cutting head with coolant supplied for machining parts from flat material, wherein the machine also includes a coolant containment and recovery system which includes: a waste removal apparatus, a coolant guard having at least one wall bounding a containment forming area, wherein the coolant guard is fluidly connected to the waste removal apparatus, wherein in use: the coolant guard is located upon a plate to be machined; and the containment forming area becomes a containment area, within which the cutting tool and coolant are both located during the machining process, so that used coolant can be removed.

Abstract: A cutting table is provided for supporting flat metal plate to be processed, wherein the support table includes at least one module including: at least two longitudinal end plate members which extend along a longitudinal X axis and are spaced apart a transverse distance Y; and a plurality of spaced apart flat bar members (bar members) which are supported by the end plate members and which span distance Y between the end plate members; wherein the side end plate members and bar members of the module are oriented so that the plane of the end plate members and the bar members all have, in use, a vertical orientation; wherein furthermore in use, the bar members support a sacrificial interlocking grid assembly configured to support the plate to be machined.

Abstract: A cutting machine waste extraction apparatus is provided for a cutting machine that cuts a plate where the cutting machine waste extraction apparatus is supported adjacent a cutting area at a cutting table. The cutting machine produces waste at the cutting area during the cutting of the plate where the apparatus includes a ducting system having a first duct that receives the waste from the plate, and a second duct that receives the waste from the first duct. The first duct is movable along the length of the second duct and the second duct includes a lengthwise opening which is sealed by a flexible belt. The flexible belt is deformable from sealed contact with the second duct, adjacent a junction apparatus, where the junction apparatus provides a fluid connection between the first duct and the second duct.

Abstract: A machine is provided, including at least one thermal cutting head, and at least one machining head with a coolant, wherein the machine includes a plate support table which is configured to allow coolant to fall through, a gantry located above the table and configured to travel along length of the table in an X axis, a carriage which is movably mounted to the gantry to travel in a Y axis which is at right angles to the X axis, a machining head with a coolant supply and a thermal cutting head both mounted to the carriage, at least one trolley is located below the table, wherein the trolley supports a fume chamber and a coolant tray and wherein the trolley is configured to be capable in use of moving independently or synchronously with the machinery head or thermal cutting head as required to capture coolant and fumes.

Abstract: A replaceable ring shaped member for a clamp foot air jet apparatus for a clamp foot for clamping a plate for a cutting tool, includes a clamp foot assembly having an outer ring shaped member fluidly and supportably connectable to the removably ring shaped member. The inner ring shaped member includes a central aperture for the cutting of a plate to be located. An outer curved edge surface of the inner ring shaped member includes at least one abutting surface to sealingly abut a curved edge of the outer ring member includes a groove for directing air from the outer ring member and through at least one hole in the inner member, whereby a fluid can be directed through each hole to the central aperture, and whereby at least one fluid jet can be formed to move coolant and/or waste from the cutting location with respect to the clamp foot.

Abstract: A cutting machine waste extraction apparatus is provided and includes ducting system and junction apparatus such that waste from cutting is removable from the cutting area through a movable ducting system. The ducting system receives and directs waste from the cutting area, up a vertical plane to a horizontal plane. A portion of the ducting system is connected by the junction apparatus to another portion of the ducting system, whereby in the horizontal plane the ducting is movable with respect to other ducting. The junction apparatus includes a movable junction ducting for directionally directing waste flow. The ducting has at least one movable flexible belt covering and sealing the ducting. belt being movably supported by rollers to be slidably raised above a portion of the ducting to allow the junction apparatus to be movable along the ducting to allow waste therein while being continuously fluidly sealed.

Abstract: A cutting table for supporting or suspending plate while being processed by a profile plate cutting machine, includes a modular construction made up from several interlocking and connected components. The cutting table includes supporting frame assembly and sacrificial grid assembly which supports and connects to a sacrificial interlocking grid assembly being removably connected together by slotted connecting apparatus to form the cutting table. The supporting frame assembly includes structural support bar members. The sacrificial interlocking grid assembly includes a plurality of first cross slat elongate members and second cross slat members being slidably interwoven with each other in a slotted type arrangement to form a sacrificial grid of parallel spaced members. Each of the first cross slats of the interlocking grid members sit directly on and parallel to the planar structural support bar members that can support the heavy loads of the plate being cut.

Abstract: An above plate coolant containment and recovery system for a machine having at least one machining head having a cutting tool in the form of a machining spindle with coolant supplied to the tooling and is designed for containing machining coolant during machining. The system includes a coolant guard apparatus and waste removal assembly. The coolant guard contains and separates coolant fluid as used during wet cutting machining for providing a dry cutting environment beyond the coolant guard apparatus. The coolant guard apparatus includes at least one shaped containment area formed with a substantially upright perimeter wall located on top of the plate to be cut to form the contained area, whereby the waste removal assembly, which is fluidly connected to the coolant guard apparatus, causes the removal of the used coolant and machining solid waste without leaking beyond the containment area.

Abstract: A below plate coolant recovery and waste separation system is provided for a combined machining and thermal metal plate cutting machine A trolley structure is located underneath a table supporting a fume chamber and coolant tray. The trolley is movable both in the X axis, and in response to the location of the cutting tools which move with the gantry along the rails to be positioned over the table and plate to be cut, during use in cutting the plate such that the coolant or cutting fluid is captured and reused and kept separate from the cutting waste. The trolley structure is suspended under the cutting table and includes a chamber for movably supporting at least one fume extraction chamber and at least one tray for receiving and removing coolant, whereby the coolant recovery and waste separation system movement is synchronised with the cutting tools by the machine control system.

Abstract: A torch spacing apparatus for a plasma or flame cutting machine includes a gantry that is guided to travel in an X axis. Mounted to the gantry is at least one carriage that is/are guided to travel in a Y axis. Mounted to each carriage are selected tooling having at least two cutting torches mounted thereon with an active cutting tool in an active cutting position. The carriage is mounted to enable tooling substitution whereby the torch spacing apparatus includes a substitution mechanism which is operatively attached to the carriage and tooling such that the said substitution mechanism is adapted to allow the position of a cutting torch or active cutting torch to be substituted with another cutting torch currently in the active position to space the torches accordingly by rotating the cutting tools about a Z axis.