Plasma cutting of metal

New technologies for processing solid materials allow you to quickly and effectively handle almost any structure. Metal can easily be cut using abrasive and laser devices. Even traditional mechanical heads with diamond discs ensure a high-quality cutting of thick sheets. One of the most effective ways to solve such problems is cutting plasma metal. The photo below illustrates this process.

General information about the technology

The method is specifically designed for processing metal without the use of saw blades. Like other thermal nesting techniques, this method consists in creating a cut in the structure of the material by means of the point action of the beam on the working area. The plasma is directly cut by thermal radiation, the source of which is a special tool. As a rule, this is a machine equipped with a plasma torch.

In general, the process resembles a classic welding, but there are fundamental differences. For example, blowing air flows as a result forms a cavity with a molten mass. Prepared in this way, the base is more pliable, so plasma cutting allows the operator to cut with high accuracy regardless of the parameters of the workpiece.

Application of plasma cutting

Equipment for plasma processing allows you to perform operations with blanks of non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Also, depending on the device, the user can cut alloys and refractory billets with a thickness of about 40 mm. This technology is successfully used in art workshops. In part, this area of use of such tools can be compared with forging. Specialists perform original decorative products for decorating gates, fences and furniture. The manufacture of objects with a curvilinear cutting line also makes it possible to perform plasma cutting. The photo below shows an example of figured processing.

In addition to creative directions, the method is used in industries as well as in the construction sector. Plasma can handle any metals that conduct electric current. In some areas, it is not so much the cutting of blanks that is important, but the processing of edges. Similar operations are also performed by plasma cutters.

The principle of action of the plasmic

The process begins with the formation of an electric arc between the workpiece and the electrode in the plasma cutter . Sometimes a separate ignition occurs in contact between the nozzle of the apparatus and the electrode. The formation of the plasma flow is realized due to the gas supplied to the head of the device. Further, under high pressure, an electric arc is generated with a temperature regime of the order of 15,000 ° C. Depending on the characteristics of the material, this or that gas medium is used. For example, cutting sheet metal with plasma using hydrogen or nitrogen is suitable for color grades. On the other hand, oxygen will be the best option for processing black metal. During operation, the operator requires full control of the active jet. Immediately after the activation of the electric arc, the production of the on-line plasma flow begins. Managing the device, the user adjusts the parameters of the formed flare, directing it to the cutting line in the workpiece.

Types of equipment for cutting

As a rule, plasma cutters are divided into transformer devices and devices of inverter type. The first group is represented by models specially designed for cutting metal sheets 35-40 mm thick. Inverters are characterized by modest dimensions and at the same time higher performance compared to transformers. However, high quality of processing at a lower cost of electricity is provided only in cases where plasma is cut with a metal whose thickness does not exceed 30 mm. Also, the devices differ in the type of the nozzle cooling system - in particular, there are liquid and air models. In the first case, the cooling medium is a jet of water, and in the second - gas. In large aggregates, water is often used, which makes it possible to increase the accuracy of operations. In order to provide a high working resource, technologists recommend using gas cooling systems.

What is the advantage of plasma cutting?

Usually, the competition between the technologies of cutting solid materials occurs in the parameters of accuracy and cutting speed. However, the emergence of new methods has expanded the processing capabilities, and increased the basic requirements for the quality of operations. On the basis of the set of operating parameters, plasma cutting is one of the most profitable technologies of this type. First of all, this is due to the possibility of point local cutting without deformation of the surrounding zone. Even cutting stainless steel with plasma is performed without thermal deformation of the workpiece, although a high-power apparatus is required for processing such material. In addition, high speed of cutting is emphasized. If you select the appropriate current strength, then with a thin sheet you can handle in a matter of seconds without loss in quality.

What to consider in choosing a plasmorez?

As already noted, in the choice of the device, the current strength of the apparatus is of considerable importance, which will allow one to cope with this or that sort of metal. For example, models of 40-50 amperes are suitable for working with brass, copper, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, but their potential is not sufficient for high-quality and confident cutting of steel. For working with black metal grades, it is desirable to initially orientate to devices with a current strength of at least 100 A. And this is without taking into account the thickness of the billet. As a rule, plasma cutting is performed at the rate of 5 A per 1 mm. It is also worth considering the duration of the active operation of the plasma cutter. At entry level representatives, for example, this interval is no more than 10 minutes, after which the operator has to make a technical break.

Conclusion

With all the advantages of plasma processing technology, it is not the best way to cut metal. For example, the hydroabrasive technique is characterized by the ability to perform cutting in billets of almost any thickness. In this case, the equipment is cheaper to maintain and requires minimal energy costs. In turn, plasma cutting of metal offers high speed and a corresponding quality of the result. Most importantly, the technical organization of this process involves only the acquisition of a special apparatus. Use the same plasmapher can anyone in the home - but, of course, with proper preparation. For comparison, the abrasive operation can not do without the use of massive aggregates, delivering jets of water or air in a mixture with sand particles.