Joseph T Blackmon

US Patent:

62221558, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Jun 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/593548

Inventors:

Joseph B. Blackmon - Darlington SC
James L. Segroves - Garland TX

Assignee:

The Esab Group, Inc. - Florence SC

International Classification:

B23K 1000

US Classification:

21912139

Abstract:

A table has a pervious support surface and a gantry is mounted for movement across the support surface in a longitudinal direction. A carriage is mounted to the gantry for movement across the support surface in a transverse direction. Water jet and plasma arc cutting heads are carried by and movable with the carriage. A controller is capable of operating the water jet cutting head while moving the gantry and the carriage to cut a sheet of insulation supported by a first section of the support surface. In addition, the controller is capable of operating the plasma arc cutting head while moving the gantry and the carriage to cut a piece of sheet metal supported by a second section of the support surface. A drainage system is mounted beneath the first section of the support surface for collecting water that falls through the first section of the support surface from the water jet cutting head. A downdraft system is mounted beneath the second section of the support surface for drawing and receiving fumes that are generated by the operation of the plasma arc cutting head.