Plasma cutting

Plasma cutting

Plasma cutting machine

Plasma cutting is a type of plasma processing of materials in which a plasma jet is used instead of a cutter as a cutting tool.

An electric arc is ignited between the electrode and the nozzle of the apparatus, or between the electrode and the metal being cut. Gas is supplied to the nozzle under a pressure of several atmospheres , converted by an electric arc into a plasma jet with a temperature of 5000 to 30000 degrees and a speed of 500 to 1500 m / s. The thickness of the cut metal can reach up to 1500 mm. The initial ignition of the arc is carried out by a high-voltage pulse or a short circuit between the anode and cathode in the case of an indirect arc, and the nozzle and cut metal in the case of a direct arc. The nozzles are cooled by a gas stream (air cooling) or liquid cooling. Air nozzles are generally more reliable, liquid-cooled nozzles are used in high-power installations and give better processing quality.

The gases used to produce the plasma jet are divided into active ( oxygen , air ) and inactive ( nitrogen , argon , hydrogen , water vapor ). Active gases are mainly used for cutting ferrous metals , and inactive - non - ferrous metals and alloys.

Advantages of plasma cutting:

• any metals are processed - ferrous, non-ferrous, refractory alloys, etc.
• the cutting speed of small and medium thicknesses is several times higher than the speed of flame cutting
• small and local heating of the cut workpiece, excluding its thermal deformation
• high cleanliness and surface quality of the cut
• process safety (no need for compressed oxygen cylinders, flammable gas, etc.)
• complex curly clipping is possible
• no geometric limitations
• can be used for non-metallic products.