Plasma Cutting Precision And Accuracy

When looking for a plasma cutting system it s important to consider more than just the speed of production.

Plasma cutting precision and accuracy.

There are many different factors that can influence the precision and accuracy collectively referred to as the quality of the plasma cut including. Plasma cutting is a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. Consumables can last from 1 300 to more than 3 700 arc starts and systems can cut any conductive material from 10 gauge up to 2 in. Due to the high speed and precision cuts combined with low cost plasm.

They can cut through metal with insane accuracy. As a general rule accuracy will vary based on the capabilities of the plasma system and how it is set up. It wasn t that long ago that plasma cutting was the domain of seasoned metal fabrication veterans who knew just how to tweak gas settings and adjust torch height to get the best cut on a plasma cutting table. A high precision system can achieve a cut accuracy of 0 01 to 0 05 in.

Capabilities continue to expand too. In some lines of work precision is very important. For instance the accuracy of a hand held plasma system will be different than the accuracy of a plasma mounted on a cnc cutting table and within the broad range of automated cnc plasma systems high definition plasma will always be more accurate than light industrial and entry level plasma systems. Plasma will produce good results for perhaps 95 of the applications out there but you re not going to cut watch parts with it.

Plasma produces a cut edge that is as smooth as laser but it is handicapped by a slight 4 to 5 degree bevel in the cut face. For example 10 gauge cold rolled steel sheet that s cut with a high precision plasma torch yields a part with an accuracy of 0 012 in. Plasma cutting is often used in fabrication shops automotive repair and restoration industrial construction and salvage and scrapping operations. A machine that makes parts accurately will ensure product quality and also ultimately improve efficiency throughout the entire manufacturing process.

Automotive plasma cutters are programmed in advanced and use state of the art software to navigate them. Plasma cutting is used as a precise fabrication tool. And kerf widths as narrow as 0 05 in. Being off by an inch can ruing the end product.

Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel stainless steel aluminum brass and copper although other conductive metals may be cut as well.