How To Use a CNC Plasma Cutter

Plasma cutting is a melting process that is used to melt metal and other materials. During this process, an electric arc is struck between an anode and cathode. The electrode acts as a cathode whereas, the workpiece is as an anode. As a result, you can get a super-precise cutting of the metal.

What is a CNC Machine?

CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control, which are automated machines that are operated by computers, with the help of pre-programmed softwares and code controls. CNC machine functions by using the machining language called G-codes. These machines have three primary components, a command function, drive/motion system, and feedback system. This computer-driven machine is used to cut a part of metal from solid material in a different shape. The different types of CNC machines are lathes, routers, milling, plasma cutters, and 3D printers.

How the CNC Plasma Cutter Work?

A CNC plasma cutter is designed to cut an electrically conductive material with the help of computers to control the jet of hot plasma at the material. These plasma cutters are used to cut different materials like steel, aluminum, brass, and copper.

CNC plasma cutters have the ability to move a high-definition plasma torch in various directions. These cutters are operated by forcing a compressed gas through the nozzle at a very high speed. When the electric arc is made in contact with the gas, creates plasma which is used to cut the metal.

CNC plasma cutters are available in various ranges of size, price, and function. These machines can use of speed up to 500 inches per minute while cutting the metals. The type of gas will be varied in cutting different types of metal.

Oxygen gases are used to cut mild steel up to 11/4-inch thickness and it is not suitable for cutting aluminum and stainless steel.

Compressed air works well in cutting lower applications of metals up to 1 inch in thickness.

Argon and hydrogen mixed gases are used in providing high-quality cuts in stainless steel and aluminum.

Methane and Nitrogen gases are used to cut thin stainless-steel metals.

How to Use a CNC Plasma Cutter?

Before starting the process, the operators must be fully trained and have a clear understanding. Operators should set the correct setting for different cutting materials. Incorrect settings will affect the cutting quality of the metal.

Start the air compressor, machine control cabinet, and plasma power supply. CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) software is used in drawing the shape. Set the process parameters according to the material thickness. Adjust the parallelism of the plate and then select the cutting nozzle type, speed, current of the plasma power supply according to the plate thickness. After setting all the parameters, start the program to cut the metal.

Once the cutting process is done, turn off all the power and air sources and clean up the waste metals from the equipment.

Conclusion

Plasma cutting units come in different sizes and shapes, from small handheld machines to big CNC machines. These are designed to cut the metal quickly and effectively in different shapes of the need.

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.