Table of Contents
What is a plasma cutter and how does it work?
Plasma cutters work by sending an electric arc through a gas that is passing through a constricted opening. The gas can be shop air, nitrogen, argon, oxygen. etc. This elevates the temperature of the gas to the point that it enters a 4th state of matter.
What are plasma cutters used for?
The dazzlingly bright torch of a plasma cutter can be found in most metal fabrication shops. Used to slice through huge sheets of metal of any thickness, this technique is used to manufacture all manner of metal objects such as gates, signage and sculpture.
What is the difference between a laser cutter and a plasma cutter?
Laser cutting is a precise thermal cutting process, utilizing a focused beam of light. Plasma cutting, on the other hand, uses a mixture of gases in order to form a cut. With our high definition plasma cutting equipment, we are able to perform bevel cuts on parts as required.
What are the benefits of plasma cutting?
7 Benefits of Plasma Cutting More Versatility. Plasma cutting can be performed on diverse types of metal. Ease of Use. These plasma cutters are portable and you can easily move this wherever the job demands. Fast Cuts. Precision Cut Quality. Lower Price. Piercing Speed. Safety.
Can a plasma cutter cut wood?
Virtually any metal can be plasma cut including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, etc. Plastics and wood are not electrically conductive and cannot be plasma cut. However, you can use a rotary saw, router, or other tool if you want to cut these materials in the PlasmaCAM machine.
Can you plasma cut without gas?
Do you need gas for a Plasma Cutter? Gas is needed for a plasma cutter in order for it to work and create the plasma. As mentioned, the most popular gases to use are oxygen, nitrogen or argon.
Can a plasma cutter hurt you?
The plasma cutting arc blows out hot metal and sparks, especially during the initial piercing of the metal. It also heats the workpiece and cutting torch, all of which can cause fire and burns. To protect your eyes while plasma cutting, wear approved safety glasses with side shield.
Who uses a plasma cutter?
Plasma cutters are a necessity in the manufacturing industry, from construction companies and auto shops to locksmiths. As technology has progressed, so has this instrument’s design and capability. Plasma cutters fall into two categories: manual and mechanized.
Is a plasma cutter a welder?
It’s fast and precise In addition, the resultant cut is clean. Plasma cutting actually originated from plasma welding, a unique welding sub-type that uses electrically ionized gas (plasma) to fuse two metals together. By increasing the plasma discharge, you’re able the transform the electronic welder into a cutter.
Is a plasma cutter better than a torch?
Plasma does not require the metal to be preheated before cutting, which saves time, and plasma cutters also outperform oxy-fuel torches when cutting stacked metals. Faster speeds can be achieved on thinner metals with plasma, with minimal or no metal distortion.
Can a plasma cutter cut leather?
Plasma cutters can produce part accuracies better than 0.008”, and are quite fast, processing 16 gauge mild steel at over 200 IPM and 1” thick mild steel at over 45 IPM. In addition to most types of metal, laser cutters can handle wood, glass, ceramic, rubber, PVC, and even leather and textiles.
Which is better plasma cutting or laser cutting?
Laser cutting machine has faster-cutting speed: the speed can reach 10m/min of laser cutter which is much faster than the plasma cutter. The cutting surface of the laser cutting machine is smooth, without burr, with good cutting quality, is a non-contact cutting.
What are the disadvantages of plasma cutting?
Disadvantages Most plasma cutters aren’t useful for thicker or denser metals. While it limits ambient heat, plasma cutting is noisy and generates excess fumes. Plasma is also infamous for creating very bright flashes while the cutting is ongoing.
What are the limitations of plasma cutting?
Disadvantages Larger HAZ compared to laser cutting. Quality with thinner sheets and plates not as good as laser cutting. Tolerances not as precise as laser cutting. Does not reach thicknesses like waterjet or flame cutting. Leaves a HAZ which waterjet does not. Wider kerf than laser cutting.
How long does a plasma cutter last?
Typical life time of a set of consumable should last about 1 to 3 hours for about 120 A of mechanized cutting, it’s in function of the job. Cutting at lower current may gets longer consumable life.
Can you plasma cut Aluminium?
Plasma cutting can be performed on any type of conductive metal – mild steel, aluminum and stainless are some examples. Plasma cutting, however, does not rely on oxidation to work, and thus it can cut aluminum, stainless and any other conductive material.
Can you make money with a plasma cutter?
Plasma tables are able to cut materials much differently than a CNC mill. “Everyone loves something ‘cut in metal’. It is substantial and permanent,” he says. Sign making is a pretty basic business, and you can provide products to your customers at fairly reasonable prices while still making a profit.
What material can you plasma cut?
Because plasma cutters use high-velocity ionized gas to create a flame, they can cut any electrically conductive metal. Examples include: Mild steel. Stainless steel.
Can you cut stainless with a plasma cutter?
The plasma cutting process may be used to cut any conductive material, including carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum, copper, brass, cast metals, and exotic alloys.
What is needed to use a plasma cutter?
Plasma cutting requires two basic elements — air and electricity — so the next question to ask is what type of input power is available. Several 30-amp plasma cutters, such as the Spectrum® 375 X-TREME™, operate using 120- or 240-volt power.
