Plasma cutting is a common method used by a whole range of industries to cut iron, stainless steel, aluminum and other metals using a plasma torch
What can you cut with a plasma cutter?
Typical materials that can be cut with a plasma torch are steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and other conductive metals . Plasma cutting is widely used in manufacturing, automotive repair and restoration, industrial construction, salvage and scrapping.
What would you use a plasma cutter 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 are 3 advantages of plasma cutting?
- Able to cut all conductive materials. ...
- Great quality for thickness up to 50 mm.
- Maximum thickness up to 150 mm.
- Comparatively cheap for medium thickness cuts.
- Best way to cut medium thickness stainless steel and aluminium.
- CNC machines are available to provide high precision and repeatability.
Do I need gas for a plasma cutter?
Nitrogen is often chosen as the plasma cutter gas for higher current systems and cutting materials up to 3′′ thick. It produces quality cuts on most materials, including stainless and mild steel and aluminum. For thicker metals, however, it’s better to use nitrogen with air as a secondary gas.
Can you weld with plasma cutter?
The major difference between a plasma cutter and a multi-process machine is this: the plasma cutter will have one function, cutting. The multi-process machine will have several functions, usually stick welding and TIG welding in addition to plasma cutting. ... Then you can easily set your machine weld.
What is needed for plasma cutting?
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-TREMETM, operate using 120- or 240-volt power.
What is a disadvantage of plasma cutting?
The main disadvantages of plasma cutting are its ineffectiveness for thick metals, as well as ferrous metals . Robotic oxyfuel cutting is best at providing welds for thick metals that contain iron. Oxyfuel cutting often provides precision cuts, also.
Is plasma cutting expensive?
The initial investment in plasma machines is often more expensive than other cutting methods . A typical hand-held plasma cutting unit will cost about $1,500 to $3,500, and replacing plasma tips and electrodes costs about $15 to $20 per set.
Why are plasma cutters so expensive?
Low cost air plasma systems deliver approximately 500 starts in comparison to an HD system that delivers 3,000 starts or more. ... The cut parts produced from low cost air systems have significantly beveled edges. These beveled edges and dross on the bottom of parts results in an increase in labor costs to grind the parts.
What are the three types of metals that can be cut on the plasma cutter?
Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper , although other conductive metals may be cut as well.
Do you need argon for plasma cutter?
Argon-Hydrogen is required for mechanized cutting of any material more than 3 inches thick . This mixture also provides an excellent gas for plasma gouging on all materials.
What gas do I need for a plasma cutter?
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 . Some plasma cutter systems include multi-gas features so a variety of gases can be used for different applications.
How do you set up a plasma cutting machine?
- Step 1: Choose Work Location. ...
- Step 2: Plug in Unit. ...
- Step 3: Connect the Air. ...
- Step 4: Turn the Air On. ...
- Step 5: Attach the Ground Clamp. ...
- Step 6: Turn on the Machine. ...
- Step 7: Set the Current. ...
- Step 8: Cut the Metal.
