METAL PROCESSING

Plasma Cutting

Tri-State Steels Retail Outlet offers advanced plasma cutting services that not only provide tighter tolerances but also minimize the need for additional machining on finished parts. This results in greater overall part accuracy when compared to standard flame cutting methods. Additionally, our plasma cutting technique produces a smaller heat affected zone and significantly reduces edge cracking during the forming process.

Here's how plasma cutting works:

• Plasma Generation: Plasma is a high-temperature, electrically conductive gas that is created by passing a high-velocity jet of ionized gas through a narrow nozzle. This ionization process generates an extremely hot plasma arc.
  
• Material Penetration: The high-velocity plasma arc is directed onto the surface of the workpiece (metal) that needs to be cut. The intense heat of the plasma arc melts the metal at the point of contact and blows away the molten metal, creating a cut or kerf.
  
• Cutting Process Control: Plasma cutting machines are equipped with a variety of controls that allow operators to adjust factors like cutting speed, plasma gas flow, and power levels. These controls ensure precise cuts and can be programmed for specific cutting patterns.
  
• Gas Selection: Different gases can be used in plasma cutting, depending on the material being cut. Common gases include air, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon-hydrogen mixtures. The choice of gas affects the quality of the cut and the speed of the process.

Plasma cutting advantages:

• Tighter Tolerances: Our plasma cutting process ensures tighter tolerances, reducing the need for additional machining on finished parts.
• Enhanced Part Accuracy: We deliver greater part accuracy, ensuring that your components meet precise specifications.
• Reduced Heat Affected Zone: Plasma cutting results in a smaller heat affected zone, minimizing the impact on surrounding material.
• Less Edge Cracking: Our method reduces edge cracking when forming, enhancing the integrity of your finished products.
  

Press Break/Forming

Tri-State Steels Retail Outlet, your trusted source for precision metal cutting and forming solutions. We pride ourselves on our unique qualifications to craft custom parts that meet your exact specifications. In addition to producing standard formed shapes, our capabilities extend to the creation of intricate components, including 3- and 4-sided pans, multiple profile parts, overbending of various thicknesses, and multiple hit "step brake/rolled parts." Whatever your metalworking needs, we are here to deliver precision, quality, and expertise you can rely on.

Here's how a press brake works:

• Material Placement: The operator places the sheet metal or metal workpiece onto the bed of the press brake.
• Tooling Setup: Depending on the desired bend angle and shape, the operator selects the appropriate tooling, such as dies and punches, to be installed on the press brake's ram and bed.
• Programming: Many modern press brakes are computer-controlled (CNC press brakes), allowing the operator to program precise bending parameters, such as bend angle, bend length, and backgauge position.
• Bending: The press brake's ram, equipped with the selected tooling, descends and applies pressure to the sheet metal, bending it to the specified angle and shape.
  

Saw Cutting

Tri-State Steels Retail Outlet can cut your material to a specified length for storage or handling or your order can be cut within your specified tolerance.

What we're happy to discuss:

• Precision Cutting: How our saw cutting can provide accurate and clean cuts. Knowing that your materials will be cut to exact specifications is essential for the success of your projects.
• Materials Compatibility: Information about the types of metals our saw cutting can handle.
• Lead Times and Turnaround: Most of our customers want to  know the estimated lead times for saw cutting orders to help them plan their projects effectively. We know quick turnaround times are always appreciated, especially when on time-sensitive tasks.
• Cutting Methods: The types of saw cutting methods we employ and how these methods affect the quality of the cuts.
• Customization: Our customers often require custom cuts and shapes for their projects. We can provide details on the level of customization our saw cutting services can do. Whether it's straight cuts, bevel cuts, or intricate shapes, having the flexibility to meet your specific requirements is crucial.

Saw cutting advantages:

• Versatility: Our saw cutting services are suitable for a wide range of metal materials. This means you can rely on us for various projects and applications.
• Precision: We take pride in delivering precise and accurate cuts, ensuring your components meet tight tolerances and specifications. This precision is crucial for maintaining the quality of your projects.
• Clean Cuts: Our saw cutting process, when equipped with the right blade, produces clean and smooth cuts with minimal burrs and rough edges. This minimizes the need for additional finishing work, saving you time and costs.
• Efficiency: Saw cutting is known for its speed, which translates to increased productivity and shorter lead times for your projects. You can count on us to deliver your orders efficiently.
• Minimal Material Loss: Our saw cutting process generates narrow kerf widths, resulting in minimal material wastage. This efficiency is cost-effective, especially when working with expensive metals like aluminum.