Introduction
Use of the plasma cutter is one of the best solutions to cut metals in an appropriate and accurate design without any hassle. The efficient ways where hot plasma is referred to are to cut the materials with the help of electronic conductive metal things. Mostly, steel, brass, copper, and aluminum are used here. Now let’s talk about how does a Plasma cutter Work for a better understanding of plasma cutting.
Having deep insight into these facts, there are so many things that can be explored in this field which will be helpful.
So, let’s review how it works.
Table of Contents
Plasma Cutter
What is called a plasma cutter?
Plasma cutting is a process of cutting hard materials such as steel, bronze, aluminum, brass, cast iron, copper, etc. This process works with the help of electronically conductive materials.
With the high frequency of the plasma torch, the process of plasma cutting is done. However, plasma cutting is highly used in fabrication shops, restoration, and repair shops. As it does precise cutting works with high speed, it becomes popular in the large-scale market of industrialization.
Types of Plasma Cutter
Types of plasma cutters
Three types of plasma cutters are highly used. Let’s discuss about the types of plasma cutters:
High frequency
High-frequency contact refers to the ignition mechanism to work. Here, high frequency is used to cut some of the modern equipment properly by using high frequency and spark torch of the plasma arc.
This mechanism is one of the best plasma-cutting mechanisms. Through the electrical current, this high frequency is produced. moreover, this is a low-budget mechanism for plasma cutting.
Pilot arc
In the pilot arc mechanism, the spark comes from the tip of the torch. Here, there is no need to touch the materials to spark. It sparks at the tip of the torch from several inches of the cutting materials. With the use of a low circuit and high voltage combination, this procedure comes to work.
When it comes to the close of the cutting piece, the cutting arch is produced by the plasma cutter. The positive thing about the pilot arch is that there is no adverse effect of high frequency and it helps to prolong the quality of the materials.
Spring-loaded plasma torch head
With the help of the short circuit, the torch is pressed by the operators against the work material. The current flow comes from the short circuit.
Steps of Plasma Cutting
What are the steps in plasma cutting?
Well, the process of using a plasma cutter is very easy and effective to cut the materials. The plasma cutting process refers to the alternatives of the process of oxy-fuel. How does this plasma cutting work? Let’s see it:
Fundamental plasma process
Between the two electrodes, the plasma arc is formed, and a copper nozzle as well as fine bored constrict the workpiece. It increases the velocity and temperature of the nozzle. With speed and excess temperature, plasma starts to proceed with the mechanism.
At the time of cutting, plasma gas is used and the flow of plasma gas is increased. This process helps to penetrate deeply into the cutting piece to melt the pieces. The molten part of the cutting piece is removed through the efflux plasma.
Oxy-fuel process
In this process, the oxygen gas helps to oxidize the metal and the heat which is released from the exothermic reaction. This heat enhances the process of melting the materials and cutting them into the finest pieces. On the other hand, the plasma process is used in those materials which are refractory oxides like aluminum, stainless steel, non-ferrous alloys, cast iron, etc.
Power source
The power source is important to the plasma arc process. It is required to have a high voltage to operate the plasma. Generally, 50-60V needs to operate and sustain the plasma arc.
Gas composition
The flow of plasma gas is crucial and it should be set at the current level and required nozzle diameter. Mainly, by using nitrogen, argon, or argon H2, the gas composition is created. Tungsten-made electrodes and this gas composition are highly used in the conventional system.
Apart from this, oxidized gases can be an option to use here, but the electrode must be made of copper. Moreover, one thing here needs to be noticed, the flow of the gas level needs to remain proper, not too high flow, or not too slow. That’s because this kind of interruption can break the electrode from the nozzle to the workpiece.
Cut quality
The cut quality of the plasma cutter work process is dependent on the oxy-fuel process. However, the process of plasma cutting by melting materials sometimes leads edges to the cutting. As it has such limitations, that’s why several designs of the torch are available to improve the cutting.
Dual gas
Dual gas is used to enhance the operation of cutting the pieces according to shape. The process is the same as the conventional system. Mainly, all the plasma-forming gas is usually used in the conventional system. Here, in the dual gas system as a secondary gas, those gases are used which helps to cut the metal more effectively.
Principles of Plasma Cutting
Working principles of plasma cutting: How does a plasma cutter work
Plasma cutting uses ionized gas to cut down the conductive metals. The whole process operates through the power supply, plasma generation, gas supply, plasma torch, and cutting system.
With the help of the intense power of the high heat, plasma melts the metals. At this time, the part of molten metal is blown away through the plasma gas stream. Sometimes advanced systems incorporate CNC control to precise the cutting.
This plasma cutting technique is widely used in industrial work especially fabrication and metal work industries for accurate and fast cutting.
How does a plasma cutter cut metal?
With the help of the ionized gas which is known as plasma and the involvement of the power supply, plasma torch, gas flow, and plasma generation the whole mechanism works.
With the high velocity of the electronic supply, plasma-cutting gas blows from the electrode. This gas passes through the nozzle and forms plasma by squeezing through the nozzle at a high speed. The conductivity of the plasma formation and its connection with the workpiece together work for the precise cutting of the metals.
FAQ
What is the voltage of a plasma cutter?
Typically the plasma cutter is sustained with 50 to 60v but for the open circuit voltage, up to 400V DC is used.
Is plasma cutting safe?
Plasma cutting is used for compressed gases, temperatures, and metals which create dangerous fumes. Moreover, this cutting process is intense and can injure the eyes. It also exposes ultraviolet radiation.
What is the temperature of plasma cutting?
The plasma cutting temperature is very high. It is nearly 40,000°F which is hotter than the sun’s surface.
Which gas is used for plasma cutting?
Mainly, compressed air, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and argon are used in plasma cutting. Sometimes, blends of these 2 to 3 components are used as plasma gases and it is one of the popular forms of plasma gas.
Verdict
For cutting the heavy base accurately and smoothly, the technique of plasma cutting is used. It is a thermal cutting system that is used to engrave the metals with various designs. A plasma cutting system is the fastest method of cutting materials which assures precise and high-quality cuts at the same time.
Hopefully, through this article, the concept regarding how does a plasma cutter work is cleared now.
You can also visit my other article BestArc BTC500DP Plasma Cutter Review
