A Small Box
Plasma cutters acquire come a distant contrivance in the method of cutting metal with an electrical arc, the plasma, and compressed air. When aboriginal introduced onto the bazaar, the plasma cutter unit was the proportions of a insufficient refrigerator. Double time these fresh electrical send are as inconsiderable as a group of carry-on Baggage or four, complete sized loaves of bread stacked in a 2-by-2 fashion. Some units much corner an onboard air compressor that makes the accurate metal cutter intensely portable, as it can be plugged into any universal internal wall Issue.
Low Voltage, High Current
The plasma cutter utilizes an electrical transformer and internal circuitry to convert the outlets efficacy of 120 volts alternating now (VAC) with a in fashion allure of 15 amperes, into a low voltage aerial ongoing cutting stream. It is the comp electrons of copper, the most accepted wire to direct electricity, that carries or moves the potentiality from one site to another. The plasma cutter with its sui generis circuitry concentrates this electron flow into a stream of cutting potentiality. The electrons form a plasma-like substance that can be seen when the trigger is pulled on the cutting torch handle. It is this intense plasma that heats and melts the metal into a small diameter puddle. The accepted voltage compass of the plasma cutter can be in the earth of 20 to 50 volts. The in fashion nevertheless can hold a grand output of up to 100 amperes. It is this flying ongoing that creates the identifiable fed up and immaculate cutting stream of electrical plasma. Electricity is carried on the out of all electrical wires.
Compressed Air, the Final Force
Once the molten puddle is made, another force is needed to "push" the puddle through the other side of the material being cut. Compressed air, in the range of 100 pounds per square inch (PSI), is conducted through the torch handle and released when the trigger is pulled. This plasma stream is now complete and creates the small diameter, but fine line for cutting metal. Generally the plasma stream is so intense that the torch handle can be moved along the surface of the material in speeds of 100 inches or more per minute. Comparing that to other types of cutting torches, which can only achieve a maximum speed of 30 inches per minute, makes the plasma cutter a high-speed cutting apparatus.
The Angle of Cut
One minor draw back or physical characteristic of the plasma cutter is the angle of the final cut in relation to the material. The plasma arc will cut a 6 to 7 degree angle on the vertical face of the material. Thin metal stock will not have an appreciable face angle that has to be dealt with in as much with thicker material. Metal work pieces a ¼ inch or greater may have to be dressed with an electric grinder in order to have a true perpendicular angle in relation to the horizontal surface.
