CB-1PR Circle Cutter

Overview

The BUG-O CB-1PR is a plasma circle cutter designed for fast, accurate bevel cutting of lightwall pipe and vessels. It is specifically built for cutting beveled holes in thin-wall, small-diameter pipe where controlled rotation, accurate torch positioning and repeatable saddle cuts are required.

The CB-1PR is the remote-control version of the CB-1P plasma circle burner. It adds a remote pendant control system that allows the operator to control speed, travel direction, overlap, cycle start, manual/automatic operation, system power and emergency stop from a dedicated control box.

The machine cuts beveled holes from 1″ to 12″ / 25 to 300 mm and can be used on lightwall pipe or vessels with wall thickness up to 5/16″ / 7 mm. Its automatic rise and fall cam controls torch movement for saddle-cut holes up to two-thirds of the workpiece diameter, while the slip ring system allows continuous rotation in either direction without cable or hose wrap-up.

The CB-1PR is supplied with an air plasma power source specified by the customer, a 180° plasma torch and 50 ft / 15 m lead. It operates on 120V power and must be mounted on a carriage, manipulator or suitable fixture.

Recommended options and accessories

1. CBP-2000 Remote Pendant: Remote control box supplied with the CB-1PR, providing speed display, speed control, travel direction, overlap timer, cycle start, manual/automatic switch, on/off switch, pilot light and emergency quick stop.
2. CBP-2005 Control to Unit Cable: Cable assembly connecting the remote pendant to the terminal connector in the main gear at the top of the machine.
3. CWE-1020 Sensor Cable: Sensor cable connecting the remote pendant to the top gear of the machine.
4. CWO-3035 Junction Box Assembly: Plasma junction box assembly used for the CB-1PR cable and hose connections.
5. CWO-1670 Racking System: Racking system used for torch positioning during setup and cutting.
6. CWO-1685 Small Horizontal Racker: Horizontal racking component for fine torch positioning.
7. CWO-4540 Carriage: Carriage used with the CB-1P / CB-1PR air plasma machine. It includes a winch to hold the machine and prevent it from falling into the hole when the slug drops.
8. CWO-4550 Motorized Carriage: Motorized carriage option that may be used with the CB-1P / CB-1PR air plasma machine, providing motorized vertical travel of the machine.
9. Hypertherm® Powermax SYNC® plasma power source: Current brochure configurations reference Powermax SYNC® 65, 85 and 105 options, depending on the required cutting output and capacity.
10. 180° plasma machine torch: Supplied with the CB-1PR. The manual references the Victor / Thermal Dynamics SL100 machine torch for the A80 version.
11. 50 ft / 15 m control cable / torch lead: Supplied with the machine for practical working distance between the machine and power source.
12. Carriage, manipulator or fixture: Required for operation, as the CB-1PR is not a free-standing machine and must be fixtured from the top of the shaft.

Key points

• Remote-control plasma circle cutter for beveled holes in lightwall pipe and vessels.
• Designed for thin-wall, small-diameter pipe applications.
• Cuts beveled holes from 1″ to 12″ / 25 to 300 mm.
• Suitable for wall thickness up to 5/16″ / 7 mm.
• Automatic rise and fall cam controls torch position for saddle cuts.
• Can cut saddle holes up to two-thirds of the workpiece diameter.
• Rise and fall cam travel of 5″ / 125-127 mm.
• Remote pendant control for operator convenience and process control.
• Remote pendant includes speed display, speed adjustment, travel direction and overlap timer.
• Cycle start function initiates cutting and rotation in automatic mode.
• Manual/automatic switch allows setup without energising the cutting torch.
• Emergency quick stop on the remote pendant.
• Continuous rotation in either direction without cable or hose wrap-up.
• Slip rings, collector rings, brushes and O-rings manage plasma current, controls, cables and air hoses.
• Supplied with plasma power source, 180° plasma torch and 50 ft / 15 m lead.
• Must be mounted on a carriage, manipulator or fixture.
• Made in USA.

Technical advantages

The main technical advantage of the BUG-O CB-1PR is the addition of remote control to a dedicated plasma circle burning platform. The remote pendant gives the operator direct control over speed, direction, overlap, cycle start, manual/automatic operation and emergency stop, improving usability during setup and cutting.

The automatic rise and fall cam is essential for saddle cutting. It raises and lowers the torch to follow the pipe or vessel contour, allowing the machine to cut shaped beveled holes that would be difficult to reproduce manually with the same consistency.

The CB-1PR also supports continuous rotation without cable or hose wrap-up. The machine uses slip rings, collector rings, brushes and O-rings to pass plasma current, controls, cables and air hoses through the rotating assembly. This allows the machine to rotate continuously in either direction, reducing interruption and supporting cleaner production flow.

In automatic mode, the cutting process and rotation are started from the remote pendant using the cycle start button. The machine automatically stops after one rotation plus the selected overlap, helping the operator create a more controlled cut completion point.

The manual/automatic switch is also practical during setup. In manual mode, the operator can set rotation speed and direction without energising the cutting torch. In automatic mode, the torch can be energised and the cutting cycle can be started.

Applications

The BUG-O CB-1PR is designed for plasma bevel cutting of holes in lightwall pipe or vessels. It is especially suitable for thin-wall, small-diameter pipe applications where accurate saddle-cut openings are required for fabrication, fit-up and downstream welding.

Typical applications include sprinkler pipe fabrication, lightwall pipe fabrication, beveled saddle hole cutting, vessel work, production pipe cutting, pipe-to-pipe preparation, industrial fabrication and workshop environments where repeated circular plasma cuts need to be performed with greater consistency than freehand cutting allows.

The CB-1PR is not intended as a handheld cutting device. It must be mounted on a carriage, manipulator, column and boom, or suitable fixture, making it best suited to controlled production environments and dedicated pipe fabrication setups.

Why choose this product

The CB-1PR is a strong choice for companies that need repeatable plasma bevel cutting with better operator control. Compared with a standard manually controlled circle burner, the remote pendant improves process supervision by placing key controls in the operator’s hands and reducing the need to interact directly with the rotating machine body during operation.

For pipe fabrication teams, the value is clear: controlled saddle cutting, less manual variability, reduced operator fatigue, smoother workflow and improved repeatability. The automatic rise and fall cam, continuous-rotation design and remote-control pendant make the CB-1PR a focused production tool for thin-wall pipe and vessel work.

For sprinkler fabrication and similar repetitive pipe-opening applications, the CB-1PR offers a practical mechanised solution that supports faster setup, cleaner beveled holes and more consistent downstream welding preparation.