What Is A Plasma Cutter And How Does It Work?

Plasma cutters in basic terms is a type of tool that is able to cut through different types of materials that are electrically conductive, such as metals like aluminium, brass, copper and others. This is possible in the way of creating a very high-temperature electrical channel made up of ionized gases which is called plasma. The plasma cutters come in different versions from hand-held, small machines which are used by hobbyists onto automated, large CNC cutters used by numerous industries.

Plasma cutters comes in a number of sizes and shapes and today there are even very big plasma cutters that operate with robotic arms to achieve precise incisions and cuts to hand-held, compact plasma cutters which are common in most handyman shops.

Plasma Cutter is in fact a very broad term. These are machines that feature various individual components, while the material-quality and design of each of these components is factored into the overall price. The machines with components of a higher quality may cost more, yet this is not an indication that the lower priced plasma cutters are not desirable. For handyman projects and hobbyists, these cutters perform their tasks well.

Main Components Of Plasma Cutters

• Power Cable And Power Source
•  Work Clamp that comes with a cable
• Hand-held torch that comes with a cable
• Consumable that include Electrodes and Tips
• Air Compressor

What Are Plasma Cutters Used For?

Artists and hobbyists use plasma cutters for cutting out different designs and shapes of different metals to create pieces of artwork. Salvage yards, auto-repair shops, along with construction sites frequently use plasma cutters for rough-cut metal sheets. Dependent on the skill of the user and the cutter tip that is used, precise and very fine cuts can also be made.

Plasma Cutting Guide

Plasma cutting is a simple and fast way to cut metals which conduct electricity. It cuts through brass, copper, aluminum, steel etc. Operating hand-held plasma cutters is very easy. All that is required is to attach the machine to an air-compressor along with a 415V or 240V supply, connect up an earth-lead to a workpiece, connect the provided torch to the plasma cutter, choose a cutting amperage. Now use the switch featured on the handle of the torch, and move it along the metal while the plasma-arc cuts through the metal.

Because there is no need to carry around a heavy gas bottle, most plasma cutters are somewhat portable, while the heat-affected zone is minimized with small cut widths in comparison to oxy-fuel cutting which is a fantastic advantage.

Plasma cutters use a DC voltage to heat up the compressed air to extremely high temperatures where it will ionize atoms which is what creates the plasma arc. This will flow through the cutting tip hole which is typically between 0.9mm and 1.5mm at temperatures between 25,000 and 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The plasma jet pushes through while melting the metal and pushing the molten metals away. This is far more focused in comparison to the oxy-fuel cutting along with the r