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 is the purpose of a plasma cutter?
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 is the difference between a plasma cutter and a welder?
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. Plasma Cutters have come a long way from the cutting torches of the past.
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 Weld?
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.
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 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 gas do you need for a plasma cutter?
Compressed Air is the most commonly used gas for lower current plasma cutting and works well for most metals from gauge thickness to 1 inch. It leaves an oxidized cut surface. Compressed air can also be used for plasma gouging on carbon steel.
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.
What is the difference between a CNC machine and a plasma cutter?
The CNC plasma cutter can cut various materials of metal, and the cutting speed is relatively fast; the CNC laser cutting machine can cut metal, leather, and plastic materials; the flame cutting machine can only cut carbon-containing metals. However, the CNC cutting machine has a cutting range.
Can I run my plasma cutter on a generator?
Of all the plasma cutters in the industry, only the Spectrum 375 CutMate™, Spectrum 2050 and Spectrum 3080 plasma cutters consistently cut steel at or greater than 3/8 in. when using generator power. When connected to a generator with at least 8 kW of power, such as the Bobcat 225 NT, it cuts steel up to 5/8 in.
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.
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.
Are plasma cutters worth it?
Plasma cutters also cut quickly and efficiently. Plasma equipment is considered to be better value for money, as well. Plasma torches are low-maintenance, rarely requiring replacement. Plasma cutting also relies on inert gases, making it much safer to use than oxygen-based cutting.
What metals can a plasma cutter cut?
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.
How much does it cost to run a plasma cutter?
Operating costs consist of electricity, water, compressed air, gasses, and consumable parts. Plasma cutters cost approximately $5 – $6 per hour to run.
