Norilsknickelremont installs new plasma cutting equipment

To increase the efficiency of the production process for cutting sheet metal, a new plasma cutting system is being introduced at the Norilsknickelremont subsidiary.

Until recently, at the site for the manufacture and repair of technological equipment, the cutting of blanks was carried out only using combined and guillotine shears, and cutting of curved configurations and sheet metal with a thickness of more than 8 mm was carried out manually. These jobs were labor intensive and resulted in significant waste of materials. The section of workshop No. 2 manufactures 190 tons of air ducts per year from metal with a thickness of 1.5 - 10 mm.

In order to increase the productivity of the processes, it was decided to install the Swiss plasma cutting equipment from the Spiro International S.A company, which provides an optimal process for cutting blanks from metal with a thickness of up to 12 mm, including stainless steel. Thanks to special software, it is possible to manufacture various shaped parts for air ducts and chimneys. Plasma cutting unit allows to work at material cutting speed of 40 m /min with an accuracy of 0.2 mm. The system is equipped with pneumatic self-cleaning and touch screens connected to a computer to control the cutting process and control parameters.

Currently, work is underway on the installation of the Spiro Plasmacutter Cutlass, providing for the connection of the equipment to utilities. Commissioning is planned to be carried out in May, now the personnel are already undergoing a training course to work on this equipment.

The introduction of high-tech and automated equipment into production will ensure the production of blanks of complex shapes and will expand the range of manufactured products. Plasma cutting will also improve cutting accuracy and product quality while increasing productivity and worker safety.