Table of Contents
How does a plasma cutter 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. This high speed gas cuts through the molten metal. The gas is also directed around the perimeter of the cutting area to shield the cut.
Do plasma cutters need air compressor?
Plasma cutters need air pressure to cut in a two-stage process. Therefore, all plasma cutters need an air compressor to generate enough air pressure for the task. If you buy a plasma cutter without a built-in source of air, you’ll need a separate air compressor.
Can a plasma cutter cut through anything?
So that means that plasma cutting is only used for materials that are conductive, primarily mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. But lots of other metals and alloys are conductive too, such as copper, brass, titanium, monel, inconel, cast iron, etc.
Do you need gas to run 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. Nitrogen is the best choice when it comes to cutting aluminium and stainless steel and it can provide an excellent cut quality.
Is a plasma cutter AC or DC?
Power supply — The plasma power supply converts single or three phase AC line voltage into a smooth, constant DC voltage ranging from 200 to 400VDC. This DC voltage is responsible for maintaining the plasma arc throughout the cut.
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 I weld with a plasma cutter?
With the right torch design, a nitrogen-water injection, less expensive than other gases, can work well when plasma cutting aluminum and stainless material for subsequent welding. The process involves an electrode surrounded by nitrogen, which is heated by an electric arc to form the plasma.
Can I use compressed air for plasma cutter?
If you plan to use your plasma cutter for hobby projects or for cutting an occasional piece of steel, then an air compressor for your plasma cutter with a cfm rating slightly higher than the minimum requirement listed in your owner’s manual will likely be adequate.
How thick of metal can a 50 amp plasma cutter cut?
Excellent Air Plasma Cutter: The Cut-50 Plasma Cutter can easily cut up to 0.55”(14 mm) metal under maximum output with ultimate portability weighing only 21.56 lbs.
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.
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.
Will a plasma cutter cut rock?
Plasma-jet 24 is initially directed at the rock face 12 until a portion of the rock is melted to form a molten film 80. The electrical conductivity of this molten rock is higher than that of the solid rock. The high velocity jet 24 from torch 20 blows away material and thus enhances the rock cutting.
Can I use oxygen for plasma cutter?
Oxygen. Using oxygen in your plasma torch offers the fastest cutting speed compared to any other plasma gas while still offering the best cut quality. Oxygen can also be used on stainless steel and aluminum, but it produces a rougher cut surface.
Do you need oxygen for a plasma cutter?
The most common plasma cutter gases include air, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. All five of these work relatively well on thinner sheets of metal, one-half inch or less, but when the plate thickness increases, fabricators typically use a combination of these gases to improve production.
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 voltage does a plasma cutter use?
Primary power 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.
What are the two types of plasma cutters?
What Are the Different Types of Plasma Cutters Used on CNC Tables? Air Plasma. Air plasma tables are ideal for low-volume manufacturing and are often used on entry level steel fabrication machines. Oxygen Plasma. High-Definition Plasma. CNC Plasma Cutters. The Leader in Automated CNC Plasma Cutting Machines.
What can a plasma cutter cut?
Plasma cutting is a process in which electrically conductive materials are cut through by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. Typical materials that can be cut with a plasma torch are steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and other conductive metals.
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.
Is plasma cutting the same as welding?
Tig welding basically melts the two metals together while mig welders use a filler material, (a consumable electrode). Plasma cutting has allowed metal workers to create professional, precise, clean cuts.
Can plasma cutters 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.
