Many industries require plasma cutting machines to tackle cutting through metals and provide the precision needed for the material. Whether you have a hobby or are operating in a large industrial plant, it is always good to know and understand how plasma cutting works and how to go about selecting which machine to purchase. In this guide, we’ll take you through plasma cutting machines starting with how they work up to the various types and uses.
What is Plasma Cutting?
A plasma cutting is a process through which electrically conductive materials are cut using an accelerated jet of hot plasma. Plasma is made by ionizing gas, then the gas is narrowed to a very small part and then heated to a given high temperature that melts and expels the metal from the cut. This process is much more suitable for cutting materials such as steel, aluminum, brass, copper, etc.
The flexibility of the plasma cutting is really unique. It can easily and accurately shave through heavy metals, making it useful for almost any application whether large-scale or small-scale work. The speed and efficiency of plasma cutting also make it an ideal choice for those companies who are looking forward to changing their production timetable.
How Does Plasma Cutting Work?
In plasma cutting operation, an electrical arc is struck between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece. This arc ionizes the air or the supplied gas in the cutting path and turns it into plasma. It is also blown through a nozzle aimed at the material. The heat produced from plasma vaporizes the material and the operating high-pressure gas removes the molten material, providing a clean edge.
A very important factor that makes plasma cutting particularly efficient is the high speed at which the process is conducted on metal. The process is also variable, in the sense that different gases (such as oxygen, nitrogen, or air) can be used according to the material to be cut. Due to the precision, plasma cutting is particularly beneficial in cutting designs that are complex.
Types Of Plasma Cutting Machines
Various types of plasma cutting machines exist in shapes and sizes, depending on the type of job a user wants to accomplish. Here’s a look at the main types of plasma cutters:
1. Portable Plasma Cutting Tools
These are mobile devices that enable operators to control knife-like tools that slice metal. They are often employed for comparatively shorter construction projects or whenever work mobility is critical. Though some of these machines are cheaper, they may not be as precise or as fast as large-scale machinery.
2. CNC Plasma Cutting Machine Tools
CNC plasma cutting machines are integrated cutting processes that are fully controlled by a computer. CNC plasma cutter is found to be a highly accurate cutting tool and can be used for intricate work as well as in the contour cutting of designs. They are particularly well employed in industrial applications where accuracy and consistency are critical. The CNC plasma cutting machine in Finland is used in industries that need to cut thick metals with precision in one or the other.
3. Robotic Plasma Cutting Machines
These machines employ the manipulator for cutting operations to be done more accurately and in a shorter time. They are suitable for production plants that involve mass production and other related automation industries. The fully automated robotic plasma cutting systems are of extreme advantage to the sectors like automobile industry or heavy fabrication industry.
4. Specialty CNC Plasma Cutting Solutions
There are industries that need to develop special plasma-cutting machines according to their unique necessities. A custom CNC plasma cutting machine in Finland can be used for different kinds of cuts and different sizes or types of material that a normal CNC plasma cutting machine cannot. These are fully customized for the customer and can enhance the productivity and quality of the produced items.
Factors That Should Not Be Overlooked in a Plasma Cutting Machine
When selecting a plasma cutting machine, there are several features to consider:
1. Cutting Capacity
In other words, about plasma cutters, cutting capacity simply indicates the ability of a given metal. The efficiency of some plasma cutters is designed to cut materials thicker than an inch or less than the thickness of an inch. Another thing that needs a bit of consideration is the possible cutting capacity of the machine to handle.
2. Cutting Speed
Higher feed rates are effective for production purposes because time equals money. High-amperage plasma cutting machines are relatively faster than low-amperage plasma cutting machines, which are suitable for use in large projects.
3. Torch Design
The torch is the component connected at the plasma cutter’s front end and is responsible for directing the plasma arc toward the material. The blade of the torch is chosen to provide precisely the right cuts and its design may be tailored to material type and thickness. Despite this, there are some machines that are fitted with a multi-position torch for your convenience.
4. Automation Features
In the case that you are looking at large-scale production, the use of robotics in production is advantageous. Industry plasma cutting machine in Finland usually have automated processes that decrease manual intervention and increase accuracy.
5. Power Source
Plasma cutting currently uses air or liquid-cooled systems. The system used in plasma cutting is either an air or liquid-cooled one. Air-cooled systems are more popular and usually cheaper as well but liquid-cooled systems have higher ratings and longer service time, making them useful for large applications where heavy power output is necessary.
6. Portability
If you run a business or a shop where you have to transport the machine quite often or if you have to cut at different sites, portability is indeed an advantage. Portable plasma cutting machines are small, battery-powered, and easily transportable while full CNC or robotic plasma cutting machines are large and complicated with heavy components and hence need a lot of space.
Uses of Plasma Cutting Machines
Today plasma cutting machines are not only utilized in construction and automobile manufacturing industries but are also widely used in many other industries. Below are some of the most common applications:
1. Metal Fabrication
Plasma cutting is common in metal working processes and commonly used in auto industries, aerospace industries, and shipbuilding industries among others. Such sectors demand plasma cutters to provide clean, fast, and efficient cuts through metal sheets.
2. Construction & Steelworks
In construction, plasma cutting machines are used to cut steel and other metals for part of the structural frame. This process is also needed in the manufacturing of some beams, pipes, and other metal elements that are often used in construction industry.
3. Signage & Artistic Designs
With a plasma cutter, one can easily cut different shapes and sizes from the metal sheets, especially for advertising signs and artwork. This is because the level of accuracy for plasma cutting machine in Finland is relatively high especially for complicated designs.
4. Automotive Industry
Auto makers especially depend on plasma cutting in production of body lines, frames, and other metallic components. From the work point of view, plasma cutting machines are suitable for the mass production of parts which are common in the automotive industry.
5. Aerospace Manufacturing
Some of the major and specialized applications of plasma cutting machines are present in aerospace industry to cut light metals and alloy such as used in aircrafts and space crafts.
Conclusion
Plasma-cutting machines are mighty and flexible tools used in many fields as efficient tools for metal cutting. Whether used in small enterprises or in big industries involved in manufacturing, these equipment are fast, accurate, and reliable. Using the right machine will lead to increased productivity, less material wasted, and great results on the cut. Regardless of the kind of materials that you are working on, plasma-cutting machines shall remain a necessity for metal-cutting industries all over the world.