Capital Steel - Steel Cutting

Advanced Precision Cutting Technology

Plasma Arc Cutting Technology

Plasma Arc cutting quick facts

Plasma Arc cutting is a process that uses a high velocity jet of ionized gas that is delivered from a constricting orifice
The high velocity ionized gas, that is, the plasma, conducts electricity from the torch of the plasma arc cutter to the work piece
Plasma arc cutters use electricity to superheat air into plasma, which is then blown through the metal to be cut
Plasma cutting is particularly useful in certainly specialty cutting projects, such as cutting expanded metal, something that is not practical with oxyfuel cutting
Plasma arc cutting is the simplest and most economical way to accurately cut most metal shapes
One advantage of using a plasma arc cutter is that the surface of the metal outside of the cutting area remains relatively cool, thereby reducing metal stress

Plasma Arc Cutting Overview

Plasma cutting is a process used to cut steel and other metals (or sometimes other materials) using a plasma torch, which uses a powerful electric arc to create plasma out of a blast of ordinary dried air to vaporize or literally "plasmatize" the medium which is being cut.

The torch uses a two cycle approach to producing plasma. First, a high-voltage low current circuit is used to initialize a very small high intensity spark within the torch body, thereby generating a small pocket of plasma gas. When cutting begins, the second circuit trips in and changes the current to a low-voltage high current circuit, thereby initiating a high-speed powerful jet of plasma, which travels at over 15,000 km/h.

Plasma is an effective means of cutting thin and thick alike. Handheld torches can usually cut up to 1/2 in (13 mm) thick steel plate, and stronger computer-controlled torches can pierce and cut steel up to 12 inches (300 mm) thick.

Plasma cutters produce a very hot and very localised 'cone' to cut with. Because of this they are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes.

Get more information about Plasma Arc Cutting by clicking on the following link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_cutting