Plasma cutting has grown in popularity in recent years as more fabrication shops and car repair shops have come to realize all the ways they can utilize the technology. But what is a plasma cutter used for? In this article, we’ll take a look at what a plasma cutter is, the many plasma cutter uses, the benefits of plasma cutting systems and the various solutions available for your application.
What Is a Plasma Cutter?
A plasma cutter is a power tool that cuts metal by passing an electric arc through a gas that is being pushed through a constricted opening. The plasma cutting process elevates the temperature of the gas until it enters a fourth state of matter, known as plasma. The gas passes through a nozzle, which causes it to squeeze by at a high speed, allowing the high-speed gas to cut through the molten metal. The gas is also spread around the perimeter of the cutting area to protect the cut.
What Can a Plasma Cutter Cut?
Plasma cutting with different working gases (compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, argon-hydrogen) can cut a wide range of metals that are difficult to cut with other cutting methods, especially non-ferrous metals including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel.
What Are the Most Popular Applications For Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutters are most frequently used in automotive repair and restoration, fabrication shops, industrial construction and salvage/scrapping operations. With its high speed, precision cuts and low cost, there are plasma cutter uses for everything from large-scale industrial CNC applications all the way down to small hobbyist shops.
There are two types of plasma cutters with different applications for each.
- Manual plasma cutters are used in construction work, car repair, welding repair, thin metal processing, agricultural maintenance, commercial shipbuilding, factory maintenance and art.
- Mechanized plasma cutters are much larger than manual cutters. Mechanized cutters are used along with plasma tables and can be integrated into a laser or robot cutting system.
What Are The Benefits Of a Plasma Cutter?
There are many advantages and benefits of using a plasma cutter. These advantages include:
- Versatility. Plasma cutting can be used on a wide range of metals
- Quick cuts. Plasma cutters get the job done in half the time of other methods.
- Precision cuts. Experienced plasma professionals can cut shapes and angles with sheet metal
- Lower costs. Plasma can cut things quickly with less waste.
- Greater safety. Because the process uses gases that are not highly flammable, it is safer than other similar methods.
Discover Many Plasma Cutting Uses With Cutting Systems
Here at Cutting Systems, we’ve been plasma cutting experts since 1970, and we can help you grow your business with the plasma cutting tools suited to your needs — just like we’ve done for our valued partners over the past five decades. We manufacture high-quality CNC plasma cutters and offer plasma cutting power supplies from Hypertherm, Lincoln Electric and Thermal Dynamics. Whether your business is large or small, our plasma cutting CNC machines can handle any metal cuts you need, from mild steel to heavy-duty stainless steel and aluminum.
So, what is a plasma cutter used for? Almost anything you need to cut that other machines can’t handle. Check out our line of plasma cutting parts & accessories and more today, and contact our dedicated team of experts to request a quote and see what Cutting Systems can do for you.
Contact Us
Every industrial CNC machine from Cutting Systems delivers the cut quality, productivity and precision that your application demands. We consider all of our customers to be valued partners and provide unparalleled service to ensure your needs are met. If you have any questions about our steel cutting machinery, feel free to contact us – we’re always happy to help. If you know what you need for your industry, try requesting a quote to begin building the CNC machine that will get the job done right every time.
