Torch cutting machine

A method of cutting metal material comprising:

• placing a boom of a torch cutting machine, the boom attached to a carriage adapted to travel along a longitudinal travel way and having at least one cutting torch extending therefrom, in a first position in which the boom extends laterally from a first side of the travel way over metal material in a first cutting bed;
• lighting the at least one torch and moving the at least one torch with respect to the metal material in the first cutting bed to cut the metal material;
• rotating the boom of the torch cutting machine 180° such that the boom assembly is transitioned from the first position to a second position in which the boom assembly extends laterally from a second opposite side of the travel way to place the boom over metal material in a second cutting bed;
• and
• lighting the at least one torch and moving the at least one torch with respect to the metal material in the second cutting bed to cut the metal material,
• wherein while the metal material in the second cutting bed is being cut, cut metal material is removed from the first cutting bed and new metal material to be cut is placed in the first cutting bed.

An apparatus for cutting metal material comprising:

• a torch cutting machine comprising:
• a longitudinal travel way;
• a main carriage adapted to travel along the travel way;
• and
• a boom assembly extending laterally from the main carriage in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal travel way and comprising at least one cutting torch extending from a main boom,
• wherein the boom assembly rotates 180° with respect to the main carriage such that the boom assembly is transitionable from a first position in which the boom assembly extends laterally from a first side of the travel way to a second position in which the boom assembly extends laterally from a second opposite side of the travel way;
• and
• two cutting beds for holding metal material to be cut positioned on opposite sides of the travel way.