A plasma cutting machine essentially makes use of a high-speed jet of ionised gas at high heat from a very narrow aperture. The high-velocity gas also referred to as ‘plasma’, passes electricity from the cutter torch to the workpiece, melting the fabric to create a clean cut. When the plasma jet hits the workpiece, recombination occurs and as a result, the gas reverts to its normal state, emitting intense heat as it does so. As mentioned above, the intense heat melts the metal. Plasma gases are usually argon, argon/hydrogen or nitrogen.

So is it better than a laser cutter?

Laser cutting is a precise thermal cutting process, using a focused beam of light, so it’s completely different to plasma cutting machines. So to properly explain how a plasma cutter works, it’s important that we answer the following:

 “What is plasma?

At its simplest, plasma is the fourth state of matter. We commonly consider matter having three states: a solid, a liquid, and a gas. Matter changes from one state to the opposite through the introduction of energy, like heat. So as an example, water will change from a solid (ice) to its liquid state when a particular amount of warmth is applied. If the warmth levels are increased, it’ll transition again from a liquid to a gas (steam). Now, if the warmth levels increase once more, the gases that structure the steam will become ionized and electrically conductive, becoming plasma. Therefore, a plasma cutter uses electrically conductive gas to transfer energy to any conductive material, leading to a cleaner, faster cutting process than oxyfuel.

The plasma arc formation begins when a gas like oxygen, nitrogen or argon is enforced through a little nozzle orifice inside the torch. An electrical arc is then generated from the external power supply to the present high-pressured gas flow, leading to what’s commonly mentioned as a “plasma jet”. The jet immediately reaches temperatures up to 40,000° F, before quickly piercing through the material and blowing away the molten material. In one swift motion, you really wouldn’t’ know what’s going on, and it does look a little like a laser beam, but it’s simply not the case.

What are some of the key advantages?

  • Increased cutting speeds and heightened efficiency. When plasma cutting on metal up to 2″ thick, plasma cutting machines are capable of speed twice as fast as cutting by oxyfuel. That’s why it’s seen as the superior option.
  • Very little waste
  • High Inside Piercing Speed
  • Eliminates Plate Warping
  • Extra Versatility