⛓ What is plasma cutting of metals: the filigree technique

What is plasma metal cutting technology process and criteria for the selection of devices - this will be discussed in the review HouseChief edition. Due to the high precision and accuracy of the result, this is the way to metal cutting comes to the fore. Especially, the market of construction products were household devices such purpose, available to non-professionals. How to choose such a device? By what criteria are different models? All this and much more - in our material.

What is plasma metal cutting, process technology

If we explain this technology in simple words, the plasma cutting - this is the process of heating the metal plasma jet. To perform this task using a special device - plazmorez. It generates high temperature electric arc, which is located between the nozzle and the torch pictures. The arc temperature reaches 5000ºS. But it is not enough for effective cutting of metal, so that an additional working area served gas which forms a plasma with temperatures up 30000ºS.

What can I use plazmorezku

Plasma cutting demand in many industries. Incidentally, it is used not only for metal parts, but also for the treatment of plasty and stone.

Plazmorezkoy can cut almost all metals, taking into account their specific features. Excellent results are obtained by cutting carbon steels. It is for them and calculated the standard parameters of the device efficiency. High-carbon and alloyed steels require complexity; approach with advanced settings and modes.

Importance of plasmatron

Task plasmatron - combine electric arc and gas plasma. For this purpose, in the device have a small hole - nozzle through which gas is supplied. In home appliances, it is manually operated, it should keep on weight, which complicates the cutting procedure. Lack of experience this work gives rise to a fused edges and irregularities.

To work with the steel cutter is nitrogen or air. To blow the melted metal from the weld, the gas must be directed into a pressurized nozzle. To this end, it is pumped into the tank, which are connected to plazmorezke.

Which gases are used in plazmorezke

Different gas mixtures can be used for plasma formation.

1. Air-plasma cutting It involves the use of air. So it is possible to process ferrous metals, stainless steelBrass and copper parts.
2. Oxygen cutting. This gas is used in a professional tool that allows you to quickly and accurately cut the metal sheet.
3. Shielding gases. Cutters with these types of mixtures used, including jewelry, as they give the highest quality of cut. Installations using a shielding gas are up to 12 million rubles.

Pros and cons of plasma cutting

To determine the advantages and disadvantages plazmoreza, you need to compare its performance to its closest competitors: laser, hydroabrasive and oxygen-cutting torch. The comparison may be mentioned are positive parameters:

But at the same time, there are also difficulties to be aware of:

Devices for plasma cutting

On the shelves of specialty stores you will find two types of devices: for non-contact and contact cutting.

Contactless cutting processing is used to plasty and natural stone. In such devices, plasma is formed between the nozzle and the electrode.

Contact treatment involves direct contact with the metal arcing. It is these devices are usually purchased for domestic use.

automatic devices

Such devices can be found in industrial plants. They are controlled by computerized systems allow precise serial cut sheet metal parts up to 7 cm thick. Usually this is a very powerful units that are powered by a network of 380 V.

manual cutter

Devices with manual control mobile and fairly compact. They consist of a very torch, hose, transformer rectifier unit and the substation.

Working with such devices can occur in two ways:

• indirect, non-contact cutting plasma jet. This principle is used for non-metallic surfaces;
• direct contact cutting for metal parts.

The weight of such devices rarely exceeds 25 kg, they work with the usual mains voltage of 220 V. Such devices are versatile and cost from 15 thousand rubles.

Power supplies plasmatron

Not all devices for manual cutting working AC. Some cutters may have converters and amplifiers. But their efficiency is lower than that of the tool receiving DC power. It turns out that only such devices are universal cutting of any products.

Transformers weigh much more, but also give the appropriate power. They do not give failures when surges. Plus transformers can be used continuously without taking breaks to cool down. But also electricity meter thus it shakes kilowatts with cosmic speed.

Criteria for selection of the plasma torch

What should I look for when choosing an instrument? Here are the essential criteria:

1. The versatility of the model. Note the abbreviations in the title: CUT - only for metals, TIG - argon welding and MMA - the use of stick electrodes.
2. The presence of the inverter or transformer as the power source. More powerful transformer, inverter - easy.
3. Contact or non-contact cutting. Contactless models tend to be more powerful.
4. Civil and industrial use. The difference is not only in cost and size, but also in the cell voltages network to be connected.
5. The maximum possible thickness metalworking. It depends on the power of the device. For cutting 1 mm thickness stainless Steel and ferrous metals needed amperage 4 A for non-ferrous metals - 6 A.
6. The duration of the operating cycle. This parameter is specified in the product specifications and is considered as a percentage. For example, the rate of 60% means that after 6 minutes of work necessary to give the device a rest for 4 minutes. 100% figure are transformer-type model. Many of them are used for the cooling water circuit.
7. The built-in or external compressor. Built-in options are no different capacity, so that they increasingly found as household appliances. They are more compact.
8. Ease of use. This factor is formed from the length of the hose, and the longer it is, the easier it is to work with the device. But too long hoses lead to a drop in power.

The practice of using a plasma cutter and safety requirements

Plazmorez - a potentially dangerous tool, because it uses electric arc and produces a high-temperature plasma. For this reason, the cutter does not work at low temperatures. It is not necessary to take up the instrument with no experience. It is particularly important to monitor the wear of the nozzle and electrode. Their untimely change can lead to tragic consequences.

How to operate plasma cutting - in this video course:

Do you have experience in a plasma torch? What is the model of the device you prefer? Write about it in the comments!