Choose the right system for your cutting needs

Selecting a plasma cutting system that best fits your needs will help you handle the most difficult metal shape required for your ventilation ductwork, tanks or vessels. Plasma arc cuts ferrous and non-ferrous metals much faster than an oxy-fuel torch or abrasive saws, with low or no heat affected zone, especially on thinner metals.

The Taiwanese metals industry is completely dominated by the iron and steel segment and accounts for 100% of the industry’s total value, according to Research and Markets. With China Steel dominating the market, many foreign firms are now eyeing the Taiwanese metals industry in order to invest in this lucrative and growing market.

Research and Markets said Taiwan’s metal industry expects a CAGR of 17.9% for the five-year period 2010-2015, which is expected to drive the industry to a value of US$41.1 billion by the end of 2015. With the performance of the industry forecast to accelerate, plasma arc cutting is a good choice for most metal cutting applications where speed and excellent cut quality are important.

Selecting a plasma cutting system
Plasma systems are available in a wide range of output power ratings. Choose a system that is rated at double the thickness you usually work with. This ensures sufficient cut speed for all your applications. Plasma can be used for cutting mild steel, stainless, and aluminium as well as most other metals, with exceptional results.

Each plasma system will have a required input current (single or three phase) rated at maximum output based on your input voltage. Manual cutting systems require either air or nitrogen as a gas source - either from a high-pressure gas cylinder or most often an air compressor. An air compressor draws on shop air so it is very important to control the air quality and keep it free from contaminants. Purchasing an optional filtering accessory for your plasma system to ensure your system performs at its best is
recommended. Plasma cutting systems are usually offered with either 20 ft. or 50 ft. leads.

Benefits of plasma arc
Plasma arc cutting (PAC) is defined as “an arc cutting process that severs metal by melting a localised area with a constricted electric arc, which removes the molten material with a high velocity jet of hot, ionised gas issuing from the constricting orifice.” The major difference between PAC and Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) is the velocity of the orifice gas. In some cases, a shielding gas as well as a cutting, or orifice gas may be used. The shielding gas prevents oxidation of the cut surface. The higher velocity gas used in PAC removes or blows away the molten material. The PAC process can be used to cut any electrically conductive metal if its thickness and shape permit full penetration by the plasma jet. Because the PAC process can be used to cut nonferrous materials, and is faster than oxyfuel cutting with ferrous material lessthan-two-inch thickness range, it is the most economical alternative for many industrial applications.