By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-09-13 13:18:31 | Word Count: 664
A CNC plasma cutter is a computer controlled cutting machine that uses a high temperature plasma stream generated by an electric arc and inert gas to cut metal. Evolving from technology dating from World War II, plasma cutters were available for industrial use by the 1960s. The speed and precision of cut they produce gives them operational and economic advantages over older cutting technologies such as bandsaws. To buy CNC plasma cutter systems, the purchaser needs to match his needs with the capacities and limitations of systems on the market.
A complete CNC plasma cutting system includes the plasma cutter and table with all of the necessary mechanical controls, computer hardware and software for designing projects and operating the machinery, an electrical power supply and a compressed air or gas supply. Gases used in plasma cutting can be supplied by an air compressor, or with bottled gases such as air, nitrogen or argon. Modern CNC plasma cutting systems range in size from large industrial installations to portable units that run on 110 volt circuits.
[ advertisement ]
Plasma cutting systems are a valuable addition to any metal fabrication shop. With modern computer technology and high speed plasma cutting, a properly selected system can speed up manufacturing while reducing operating costs. These systems can cut metals that cannot be cut using oxy-fuel, such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.
Portable plasma
cutting machines are available that are sufficient for cutting sheet metals and performing other light fabrication work, with both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. These systems are small enough to be handled by a single operator. Slightly larger 220 volt machines with up to 80 amps of output current are available that are portable enough to be transported in the bed of a pickup truck. Industrial scale systems occupy large manufacturing spaces and can cut large sheet and plate stock rapidly in continuously running operations.
The size of plasma cutting system a shop needs to buy depends on many factors. For a permanent installation in a shop with an adequate power supply, a large plasma cutting system that can handle materials greater than one inch thick may be appropriate. For operations with thinner plate or sheet metal, a smaller unit will be sufficient. If cutting operations need to be done in the shop and also on the job site, then one of the portable units may be ideal for the combined applications. For portable systems, the purchaser should select a model with a built in air compressor or make provisions for having a portable compressor on the job site.
A plasma metal cutter can be set up for manual operation and then upgraded later to incorporate computer controls. CNC plasma cutters should have a pilot arc starter rather than a high frequency starter,
Since the high frequency electromagnetic pulses can interfere with computer operations. The additional investment in CNC capability for a plasma cutting machine will quickly pay for itself through improved precision and enhanced production speeds.
Author Resource:-
Click here to read the rest of Buy CNC Plasma Cutter. If you enjoyed this article, you also might like our other stories about Used Machinery.
