{"id":26680,"date":"2019-07-09T10:22:03","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T00:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/?p=26680"},"modified":"2022-03-29T13:23:08","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T03:23:08","slug":"what-is-plasma-cutting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/what-is-plasma-cutting\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Plasma Cutting?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Plasma cutting is one of the most common ways manufacturers cut thick metal. But, while it\u2019s a common technique in the metalworking industry, many people may not know exactly what <\/span>plasma cutters<\/span><\/a> are, or how they work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019re going to cover the basics of plasma cutting, what you can cut, and where the process excels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Does Plasma Cutting Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Tayor
Pictured: Tayor CNC Pipe Cutter Plasma Cutter\u00a0 \u00a0 Source: Machines4U<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The basics of plasma cutting are relatively simple. The plasma cutter creates an electrical channel of superheated gas (plasma), which then cleanly cuts through the metal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, there is more to it than that. The plasma gas is pushed through the nozzle of the cutter, usually using compressed gas, air or water. Then, there is an electrical node or pilot light near the nozzle which electrically charges the plasma gas and heats it to a temperature where it can cut through the metal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The compressed gas, air or water, also blows the molten metal away from the cutting area, leaving the piece clean once the plasma has cut through it. This is generally considered the conventional method for cooling and blowing away molten metal, but there are other methods, each with their own benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Methods<\/h3>\n

Water Cooled: <\/b>This is one of, if not the, most conventional plasma cutting methods. These cutters make use of gas to push and create the high temperature plasma for cutting, while making use of water to cool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Air Plasma:<\/b> Very similar to water-cooled plasma cutters, air <\/span>plasma cutters<\/span><\/a> make use of compressed air for their cooling. This method is primarily used for portable or handheld plasma cutters where other methods aren\u2019t as practical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dual Gas:<\/b> Dual gas plasma cutting is again, very similar to conventional methods. But, rather than air or water acting as a coolant or shroud, they use a secondary gas. This gas can vary depending on the metal you\u2019re cutting. This method does have a few benefits over conventional plasma cutting though, with higher cutting speeds and reduced risk of \u2018double arcing\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n