Plasma Cutting Precision And Accuracy

Plasma cutting is often used in fabrication shops automotive repair and restoration industrial construction and salvage and scrapping operations.

Plasma cutting precision and accuracy.

Capabilities continue to expand too. Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel stainless steel aluminum brass and copper although other conductive metals may be cut as well. Developments in plasma technology further improve its efficiency and accuracy. 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.

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 a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. Plasma will produce good results for perhaps 95 of the applications out there but you re not going to cut watch parts with it. 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.

Plasma cutting is used as a precise fabrication tool. In some lines of work precision is very important. A machine that makes parts accurately will ensure product quality and also ultimately improve efficiency throughout the entire manufacturing process. The unit s power settings the type of consumables the gases used type of material characteristics of the material being cut gauge thickness of the material the layout of the parts on the plate.

As a general rule accuracy will vary based on the capabilities of the plasma system and how it is set up. A high precision system can achieve a cut accuracy of 0 01 to 0 05 in. Due to the high speed and precision cuts combined with low cost plasm. Automotive plasma cutters are programmed in advanced and use state of the art software to navigate them.

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. 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. When looking for a plasma cutting system it s important to consider more than just the speed of production. And kerf widths as narrow as 0 05 in.

They can cut through metal with insane accuracy.