Plasma cutting of metal: types and principle of action, plasmatron device, video plasma cutting technology

Even in the recent past for that, to cut metal, had to resort to completely inconvenient bulky devices, running on gas. At the same time, such cutters could not always cope with the task. Today as in small businesses, and plasma cutting is widely used in industrial facilities, by means of which it is possible to process as much as possible precisely metal of any configuration and thickness.

The principle of action of plasma cutting

Plasma cutting is a distributive treatment of metal using a thermal process. The role of the cutting tool here is played by a jet of low-temperature plasma.

The principle of operation of the plasma apparatus:

1. Between the metal, an electric arc with a temperature of 5000C is created by cutting and an electrode or a nozzle of a plasmatron.
2. Gas enters the nozzle under pressure, due to which the temperature of the electric arc rises to 20 000 WITH.
3. The gas is ionized and converted into high-temperature gas or low-temperature plasma.
4. Ionization increases from the heated arc, and the temperature of the gas jet rises to 30 000WITH. During this process, the plasma flow has a high thermal conductivity and glows brightly.
5. Plasma at a speed of 500-1500 m / s arises from the nozzle, falls on the prepared metal, heats it up and melts it at the incision site.

The process of cutting metal with a plasmatron can be seen more clearly in the video.

Types of plasma cutting

Plasma cutting of metal is of several types:

1. Simple. This method uses electric current and air. The length of the electric arc during this process is limited, therefore, with a sheet thickness of a few millimeters, the surface treatment is compared with a sharp laser. A simple method is used to process only mild or low-alloy steel. When cutting the material burrs are not formed, the edge remains smooth. Sometimes nitrogen can be used instead of air.
2. With the use of water. During cutting, water is used to cool the plasmatron and protect the cut from the negative effects of the environment. exept this, water absorbs all harmful fumes.
3. Using protective plasma-forming gas. The cut during such cutting is protected from the environment, therefore, the quality of metal cutting increases.

You can also cut metal with an arc or jet. In the first case, the processed material is part of a circle, in the second - an arc is formed between the electrodes.

Device for plasma cutting of metals

The main element of the equipment is a plasma cutter, which is called a plasmatron. Its main components:

1. Electrode, which is located in the back of the camera. It forms an electric arc.
2. The nozzle is responsible for the shape of the plasma flow and its speed.
3. The heat-resistant insulator is located between the nozzle and the electrode.

In addition to the plasmatron, the device for cutting metal is equipped:

• compressor or gas cylinder;
• power supply;
• set of hoses or cables, designed to connect the plasmatron to the compressor and power supply.

As by means of the device it is necessary to work on weight, the cut may be uneven. Therefore, it is recommended to use stands or special stops to improve the quality of cutting, which are put on the nozzle.

You can watch the video, how to cut material with a plasmatron.

Advantages and disadvantages of plasma cutting

Compared to laser cutting, Plasma metal cutting works have many advantages: