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Jul 03,2025

Practical tips for improving the efficiency of orbital pipe cutting machines

As one of the important equipment in modern pipeline processing, the orbital pipe cutting machine is widely used in the petroleum, chemical, natural gas, construction, shipbuilding and other industries due to its high efficiency, precision and convenience. With the continuous improvement of the requirements for construction progress and processing quality, how to better play the performance of the equipment and improve the cutting efficiency has become the focus of many users. This article will combine practical experience to share some practical tips to improve the cutting efficiency of the orbital pipe cutting machine, hoping to help the majority of users.

1. Correctly choose the appropriate equipment

The premise of improving cutting efficiency is to choose the right equipment. There are many types of orbital pipe cutting machines, including gas cutting, electric, CNC, plasma and other different types. Each device has its own advantages and applicable scenarios.

Gas cutting type orbital cutting machine: suitable for cutting thick-walled carbon steel pipes, economical and practical, suitable for construction sites;

Plasma cutting type: fast cutting speed, smooth incision, small heat impact, suitable for stainless steel, aluminum alloy and other metals;

CNC orbital cutting machine: high degree of automation, suitable for large-scale, high-precision pipe cutting processing.

It is recommended to choose the appropriate model according to the pipe material, pipe diameter, thickness, working environment and processing requirements. If the equipment is not suitable, the efficiency and quality will be greatly reduced.

2. Ensure that the equipment is in good condition

The cutting efficiency is closely related to the equipment status. Equipment that has not been maintained for a long time or has hidden dangers will not only have a slow cutting speed, but may also affect the accuracy and even damage the pipe. Therefore, daily maintenance is essential:

Check the track regularly: ensure that the track is not bent, free of foreign matter, and well lubricated to avoid poor operation;

Check the cutting nozzle and cutting torch: nozzle blockage or damage will seriously affect the concentration of the flame or plasma beam and reduce cutting efficiency;

Check the guide wheel and drive system: loose and worn guide wheels will cause the equipment to run unsteadily and the cutting line will not be straight;

Clean up dust and residue: metal slag and dust generated during the cutting process should be cleaned in time to keep the equipment clean.

The good mechanical condition of the equipment can ensure its design efficiency.

3. Scientifically set cutting parameters

The cutting efficiency of the track-type pipe cutting machine depends largely on the parameter settings. Correct parameters can avoid rework, reduce losses, and improve efficiency.

Cutting speed

If the cutting speed is too fast, the flame or plasma cannot fully melt the pipe, resulting in incomplete cutting; if the speed is too slow, the cutting time will be increased and the cut will be easily oxidized. Usually, the appropriate speed should be adjusted according to the pipe diameter, wall thickness, material and torch power.

Flame adjustment

If gas cutting is used, the ratio of oxygen and acetylene should be appropriate, and the flame shape should be stable, bright, and the cone is clear. Insufficient gas pressure or red and divergent flames indicate that the mixed gas is unreasonable.

Plasma current

For plasma cutting, the appropriate current and gas flow should be selected according to the thickness of the plate to avoid incomplete cutting or ablation.

Cutting sequence

Reasonably arrange the cutting sequence, avoid frequent start and stop, and repeated movement, which can significantly shorten the total processing time.

4. Reasonable arrangement of operation process

Improving efficiency is not only a performance issue of equipment, but also a problem of operation and organizational management. Scientific and reasonable operation processes can improve overall efficiency.

Plan the cutting plan in advance: According to the construction drawings or processing requirements, define the cutting order and position in advance to avoid wasting time due to temporary adjustments;

Place the pipes reasonably: Place the pipes to be processed in order and classification for easy access by operators;

Multi-person collaboration: A skilled operator cooperates with an assistant to be responsible for handling, positioning, and adjustment, which can avoid idling of equipment and increase effective operation time.

5. Train qualified operators

Although the operation of the track-type pipe cutting machine is relatively simple, skilled technicians are required to complete the task efficiently and accurately. Qualified operators can do the following in actual operations:

Quickly adjust parameters according to different working conditions;

Proficiently judge whether the state of flame or plasma is normal;

Timely discover and solve abnormal problems such as tracks, nozzles, and cutting torches;

Avoid unnecessary downtime and rework.

Enterprises can regularly train operators to continuously improve their skills and thus improve overall efficiency.

6. Select high-quality consumables and accessories

The nozzles, cutting nozzles, guide wheels, tracks and other accessories and consumables of the cutting machine are directly related to the cutting quality and efficiency. Poor quality consumables are prone to clogging and wear quickly, resulting in frequent replacement and unstable cutting, which reduces efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended to:

Purchase accessories and consumables produced by regular manufacturers;

Replace severely worn cutting nozzles and guide wheels regularly;

Do not mix parts of different specifications at will.

7. Environmental and safety management

A good working environment helps to improve cutting efficiency. On the one hand, there should be enough working space to facilitate the movement of equipment and the turning of pipelines; on the other hand, the workplace should be clean and dry to avoid dust and moisture from interfering with equipment and operations.

At the same time, safety work cannot be ignored. Flame and plasma high-temperature cutting processes are prone to splashing, smoke, and high-temperature residues. If protection is not in place, accidents are prone to occur. Formulating safety regulations, equipping protective equipment, and setting up ventilation devices not only ensures the safety of personnel, but also avoids shutdowns caused by accidents, affecting overall efficiency.

8. With the help of automation and information technology

With the development of intelligent manufacturing, more and more track-type pipe cutting machines are equipped with CNC systems and even linked with production management systems, which can significantly improve efficiency.

CNC cutting: automatically complete complex cutting tasks through pre-programming, reducing human intervention;

Work order management: combined with ERP or MES system, automatically generate processing tasks according to the plan to improve coordination;

Data monitoring: real-time monitoring of cutting progress, consumables consumption, and equipment status for timely adjustment.

For enterprises that require batch, high-precision, and high-efficiency processing, the investment in this type of technology is very worthwhile.

Improving the cutting efficiency of track-type pipe cutting machines is not a one-time thing. It requires comprehensive consideration from many aspects such as equipment selection, maintenance, operating parameters, operating procedures, personnel skills, consumables quality, operating environment, and automation technology. By adopting the practical skills mentioned above, not only can the cutting efficiency be significantly improved, but also the cutting quality can be effectively improved, the equipment life can be extended, and the production cost can be reduced.

In daily management, enterprises should pay attention to the selection and maintenance of equipment, organize production reasonably, continuously train operators, and continuously optimize processes with the help of advanced technology, so as to gain the upper hand in the fierce market competition. I believe that as long as careful management and continuous optimization are carried out, each track-type pipe cutting machine can play its due performance and create greater value for the enterprise.

As a professional orbital pipe cutting machine exporter, we are not only committed to providing high-quality and efficient cutting equipment, but also focus on providing customers with overall solutions to improve cutting efficiency. With many years of industry experience, we have accumulated rich practical experience in equipment selection, parameter setting, operation training, consumables matching and automation upgrades. We can customize suitable products and services according to customer needs to help customers improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve more efficient, accurate and safe pipe cutting operations. We always adhere to customer-centricity and help global customers create greater value.

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