What are the benefits of using a water table like the HydroClean with a CNC plasma cutter?

The HydroClean water table captures over 90% of smoke, fumes, and particulate matter at the source. This creates a cleaner, safer work environment, minimizes post-cut cleanup, and enhances edge quality on steel, stainless, and aluminum. It’s a must-have for shops focused on fume suppression and cutting precision.

Is the HydroClean water table compatible with Hornet’s industrial CNC plasma machines?

Yes. The HydroClean is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with Hornet CNC plasma cutting systems, including the Hornet XD, Mega Hornet 1000, and Mega Hornet 2000. Its customizable sizing and robust build make it a perfect match for industrial cutting applications using water table support.

How does the HydroClean compare to downdraft tables for fume control?

While downdraft tables rely on airflow and filtration systems, the HydroClean water table uses water to instantly suppress smoke and slag, offering a quieter, lower-maintenance alternative. It’s especially effective when cutting thick plate or operating in environments where airborne contaminant control is critical.

HydroClean Plasma Cutting Water Table

HydroClean CNC plasma cutting water table

HydroClean CNC cutting water table

HydroClean Plasma Cutting Water Table – Control Fumes, Smoke, and Noise

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The HydroClean is Hornet Cutting Systems’ plasma cutting water table design, engineered to improve safety and performance in industrial plasma cutting operations.

Why Utilize A Plasma Cutting Water Table?

A water table for plasma cutting offers fabrication shops an effective way to control fumes, smoke, noise, and arc glare commonly associated with plasma cutting machines.

How A Plasma Cutting Water Table Works:

The metal plate being cut is placed on a bed of slats in the plasma cutting table, with a concealed air chamber beneath. Air is forced into or exhausted from the chamber, causing the water in the chamber to rise or fall.

Plasma cutting over a water table releases free hydrogen. Unlike mild steel and stainless steel, aluminum dross produced by plasma cutting has a very high affinity for oxygen. This results in the aluminum dross absorbing free oxygen and leaving free hydrogen gas. The accumulation of this free hydrogen gas within the air bladder creates a serious explosion hazard.

Aluminum Warning: Water tables with air bladders are not suitable for cutting aluminum.

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CNC Plasma Cutting Table FAQ’s

When purchasing a CNC plasma cutting table, people often have several key questions to ensure they choose the right model for their needs. Here are some of the most common questions:

What is the purpose of a water table in CNC plasma cutting?

A water table serves multiple functions:(esab.com)

Fume and smoke suppression: The water captures fumes and particulates generated during cutting, reducing airborne contaminants.
Noise reduction: Water absorbs sound energy from the plasma arc, leading to a quieter operation.
Heat management: The water cools the material, minimizing warping and allowing for immediate handling of parts.
Improved cut quality: By reducing the heat-affected zone, water tables can lead to cleaner cuts with less dross.(fresherhits.org, squickmons.com, mig-welding.co.uk)

How does the HydroClean plasma cutting water table system operate?

The HydroClean plasma cutting water table features an air bladder beneath the cutting surface. By controlling the air pressure within this bladder, the water level can be raised or lowered:(hornetcs.com)

Raising the water level: Increasing air pressure in the bladder displaces water upward, allowing for submerged or near-surface cutting.
Lowering the water level: Releasing air pressure allows water to recede, facilitating part retrieval and table maintenance.(plasmaspider.com, cncplasmainfo.com)

This adjustable system enhances safety and performance in industrial plasma cutting operations. (hornetcs.com)

Is it safe to cut aluminum on a water table?

Cutting aluminum on a plasma cutting water table poses safety risks. The reaction between aluminum dross and water can release hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable and can accumulate to dangerous levels. Therefore, it’s generally advised to avoid cutting aluminum over plasma cutting water tables with air bladders. (stvcnc.com, hornetcs.com)

How should I treat the water to prevent rust and contamination?

Proper water treatment is essential to prevent rust, algae growth, and other contaminants:(squickmons.com)

- Use of additives: Products like GreenCut Plasma Fluid are designed to inhibit rust and bacterial growth without introducing harmful chemicals.
- Regular maintenance: Implementing a filtration system to remove debris and periodically replacing the water can maintain water quality. (lubecorp.com, squickmons.com)

What is the recommended water level during cutting?

The optimal water level depends on the material and desired outcomes:(cnczone.com)

Near-surface cutting: Keeping the water level about 0.25 inches below the material can effectively suppress fumes and reduce heat distortion.
Submerged cutting: Fully submerging the material can further reduce noise and improve cut quality, especially for certain metals like stainless steel.(esab.com, fresherhits.org)

Adjusting the water level allows for flexibility based on specific cutting requirements. (esab.com)

What are the maintenance requirements for a water table?

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance:(fresherhits.org)

Slag and debris removal: Periodically clean out accumulated slag and metal particles from the bottom of the table.
Water quality checks: Monitor pH levels and clarity, replacing water as needed to prevent contamination.
Additive replenishment: Maintain appropriate levels of water treatment additives to inhibit rust and bacterial growth.(cnczone.com, squickmons.com)

Implementing a consistent maintenance schedule can prolong the lifespan of the table and improve cutting results.

We also have a Mini Hornet HydroClean water table.

HydroClean CNC Plasma Cutting Water Table