Oxy Fuel Cutting Systems

Basic Setup & Use

 Typical Torch System
• Oxygen Cylinder
• Acetylene Cylinder
• Method of Securing the cylinders
• Caps
• Regulators
• Backflash arrestors
• Hoses
• Torch Body
• Torch Head
• Torch Tip
• Clothing and Eye/Face Protection
 Oxygen Cylinders
• Oxygen is very pure - 99%
• Pressure is about 2200 psi at 700 F
• Hydrostatic tested to 3300 psi
• Forged from a single piece of steel -
no welding
• Minimum of 1/4” thickness
• Annealed periodically
• Stored away from combustibles
– 5’ high wall
– 1/2 hour fire rating
 Acetylene Cylinders
• Acetone - absorbs acetylene under pressure
• Consumption rate = 1/7 content per hour
• Fusible plug - 2120 F
• Temperature has an extreme affect on pressure
• Let stand upright at least 20 minutes before using
• Protected valve or cylinder cap
• Stored away from oxygen and combustibles
– 5’ high wall
– 1/2 hour fire rating
 Oxygen Cylinder Valve

• Brass Construction
• Double back seat - NEVER
LEAVE HALF OPEN
• Pop off valve - (fragile disk)
• Right hand Thread
 Acetylene Cylinder Valve
• Brass Construction
• Packed valve - OPEN 1/2 TO 3/4 TURN
• Hand wheel or tank wrench - NEVER REMOVE
WRENCH during use
• RH (Male) or LH (Female) Thread
 Manifold Systems

• Increased Efficiency
• more stations
• no downtime
 Parts:

• Cylinders
• Hoses - Brass or braided
• Check valves or hand valves
• Flashback Arrestors - OSHA
• Regulators
• Main valves
 Regulators
• Gauges - High and Low pressure
• Bonnet - weakest point
• Adjusting screw - Clockwise = On
 Regulators
Single stage - less expensive
Dual stage - more accurate - lump on back - 200 psi
Nozzle Type - low volume
Stem type - High Volume
Gauges - High and Low pressure - bourbon tube
Bonnet - weakest point
Adjusting screw - Clockwise = On
 Protector Cap
• Protects valve from being knocked off
• Must be in place when Regulators are off
 Backflash Arrestor
• Torch / Manifold
• Regulator / torch
 Hoses
• Acetylene = Red
– Notch around nut means LH thread
• Oxygen = Green
– RH Thread
• New Hoses have talc inside - Blow out before
connecting to torch
 Needle valves
• What each does
• Preheat / Cutting hole pressures
• Tightening
 Torch Body
• single stage / dual stage
 Cutting Head
• Preheat oxygen needle valve
• Seat type / Graphite type - tightening
• Body to head connection - tightening
• Oxygen lever - regulator setting, #1 needle
valve setting
 Acetylene safety Precautions
• Never call acetylene “gas”
• Extremely explosive with air or oxygen
• Leave wrench on tank
 Oxygen Safety Precautions
• Never call oxygen “Air”
• Never allow oxygen to come in contact with
oil, grease, or other petroleum bases
• Never use oxygen for compressed air
• Never move cylinders without caps
• Always secure cylinders
 •Setup Procedures for Oxy-Acetylene
Systems
• Do not move cylinders without valve protection
• Secure cylinders
• Inspect threads
• “Crack” Oxygen Valve
• Attach regulators and tighten
• Blow talc from new hoses
• Attach Flashback arrestors, check valves, hoses,
check valves, torch body, torch head, and tip
• Properly pressurize torch and check for leaks
Procedures for Lighting Oxy-Acetylene
Systems
• SCREW ADJUSTING SCREW OUT
• Stand to the side of the adjusting screw
• Open tanks one at a time (Oxygen wide, Acetylene 1/2
turn)
• Adjust regulators
• Bleed lines one at a time
• Fine adjustments made while bleeding the hoses
• Open the acetylene needle valve and light torch
• Open high pressure oxygen needle valve wide
• Adjust to a neutral flame
 Shut Down Procedure for Oxy-
Acetylene Systems
• Turn off acetylene needle valve
• Turn off preheat oxygen needle valve
• Turn off tanks
• Bleed lines one at a time
• TURN ADJUSTING SCREWS OUT
• Turn off all needle valves
 Flame types

Carborizing Neutral Oxidizing

 Starting or restarting a cut
Heat the starting point

Move the oxygen hole off the edge of the plate and start the
oxygen stream

Resume cutting
 Offhand Cutting Techniques
• Rolling your hands
– “Pre-load” your wrist and forearm
– Roll, don’t slide for a smoother cut
• Sliding the torch through your fingers
– Apply pressure to torch tubes with thumb and
index finger
– Keep other three fingers in fist
– Don’t move the torch body hand during stops and
starts.
 Beveling Angles
• Slide the torch through your fingers toward
you.
• Only move the hand nearest the flame when
continuing the cut.
• Keep your other three fingers in your fist. This
will keep your hands cooler and allow you to
make a better cut.
 Safety
• Backflash
– Turn Oxygen off first
• Watch where you cut
– Don’t blow molten metal toward another person
– Don’t melt the hoses
– Don’t drop metal on hoses
– Don’t let hoses lay on hot metal