Plasma is the most common state of matter in this universe. Plasma is an ionized gas where sufficient energy is provided to free electrons from atoms or molecules, to allow both ions and electrons to co-exist. Plasma is the fourth state of matter. A spark in a gas creates plasma. A hot gas passing through a big spark turns the gas stream into plasma that can be useful to us. Plasma cutting is an important use of plasma. A plasma cutter is an easy-to-use tool to cut steel and other electrically conductive metal. These cutters work by using a high voltage electrical arc and a compressed gas and even normal (filtered) air.



Plasma cutters work by sending an electric arc through a gas compressed in a constricted opening. The gas can be nitrogen, argon, oxygen, etc. The electrical arc generated by an internal electrode ionizes gas passing as it passes through the opening, creating a concentrated arc of plasma at the cutter's tip. Excited in this way, the gas is raised to its plasma state.

As metal is being cut it becomes part of the plasma generating circuit, the electrical conductivity of plasma causes the arc to transfer energy and heat the work. This high-speed conductive gas cuts through metal by melting. The gas is directed around the perimeter of the cutting area to shield the cut.

In today's plasma cutting devices, a pilot arc between the electrode and nozzle (opening) is used to ionize the gas, and initially generates plasma prior to the full arc transfer. Light portable plasma cutters use 110 volts with an output 12 ? 35 amp. Large cutters use 220 volts with an output of 50 ? 80 amps, or more. These machines often feature on-board air compressors to simplify their use.

Plasma cutting has many advantages. One of them is that the surface of the metal outside the cutting surface remains relatively cool. This prevents warping and paint damage that occur with other flame cutters such as oxy-acetylene cutting. Plasma cuts up to five times faster than traditional cutting devices. It does not rely on highly flammable gases. Plasma cutter table systems use computerized numerical control (CNC) technology for better output. Many plasma cutters perform well as gougers, and pierce metal quickly. Plasma cutting is more efficient than laser cutting. It can cut thicker sheets than laser, as reflectivity encountered in aluminum and other alloys, reduces laser efficiency. To get more information on plasma cutting devices, its advantages and working, log on to www.emachineshop.com.