Plasma cutting technology from your solution partner Lasaco
In addition to products from well-known manufacturers in welding technology, Lasaco also distributes its own product line, which convinces with an unusually good price-performance ratio. In the field of plasma cutting technology, we offer our BLACK LINE 406 and BLACK LINE 659 models, two very modern devices that meet all quality requirements. Designed for stationary and mobile use, they impress with their low dead weight and yet are powerful enough to cut through steel joints up to a cutting thickness of 25 mm without any problems.
How does plasma cutting work in detail?
The plasma cutting process uses a so-called plasma gas which, due to its properties, can reach extremely high temperatures of up to 30,000° Celsius. In addition, the plasma gas emerges from the nozzle of the plasma cutter at a very high speed. The material processed in this way is therefore not only melted in the shortest possible time, but is also blown out of the joint immediately in order to achieve a clean cut.
A plasma cutter is made possible by the combination of one electrode, which is installed in a gas nozzle in the torch and cooled with water or air. The workpiece forms the other electrode, creating an arc when an appropriate voltage is applied. The exit nozzle strongly constricts the plasma gas, giving the ionized and extremely hot plasma jet the desired characteristics. As soon as the plasma jet hits the workpiece to be processed, the so-called recombination takes place. Heat is transferred to the workpiece to melt the material and blow it out of the joint due to the high exit velocity of the gas.
Advantages and disadvantages of plasma cutting
In contrast to flame cutting, which can also be used to cut steel joints, plasma cutting offers some advantages as a very efficient process. However, no process in welding and cutting technology is without its disadvantages - which is why we list these as well as the advantages.
Contact usBenefits at a glance:
First and foremost is certainly the cost efficiency, which can be seen as one of the greatest advantages of the plasma cutting process. Due to the high cutting speed, productivity can be increased without having to compromise on precision, as the cuts turn out very clean and hardly any reworking is required. Curves and complex shapes can also be easily handled with a plasma cutter. Virtually all conductive materials can be processed with a plasma cutter. Cutting with a plasma device does not require a great deal of force. Last but not least, the heat input at the interface is comparatively low compared to other methods, which means that the workpiece warps only slightly.
Disadvantages at a glance:
Depending on the power of the plasma cutter, the depth of cut is relatively limited. The kerf is wider compared to laser cutting and also has a slightly lower accuracy. The compressed air used in plasma cutting can cause nitride to form at the cut edges and oxidize the material.
Questions and answers about plasma cutting
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Can stainless steel be cut using plasma?
Provided that some framework conditions are right, plasma can also be used to cut stainless steel. However, different gases are used in the plasma cutting process than in other processes in order to be able to form the plasma. Argon/hydrogen or argon/nitrogen have different properties with regard to the arc and produce larger, sometimes somewhat blurred cutting angles than when oxygen is used, for example. This is at the expense of precision when cutting stainless steel.
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What amperage does the plasma cutter need?
Hand-held plasma cutters usually use a power of between 40 and 100 amps and are thus suitable for a material thickness of up to 40 mm. For thicker metals, devices with higher amperages are used.
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How high must the pressure be during plasma cutting?
The required pressure depends on the device model used. Most plasma cutters work with a pressure between 4 and 6 bar. The exact control is done via a pressure gauge.
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What eye protection is needed for plasma cutting?
Suitable safety goggles are absolutely necessary. These must have a special eye protection filter with which the arc can be observed. The protection against UV radiation depends on the filter protection level of the goggles. The protection level can be read on a scale in the range between 1 and 16.
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What kind of gas is used?
The exact selection of plasma gases depends on the material to be cut. Typical gases that can be used as plasma gas and cutting gas at the same time are argon or hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, and purified air.
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Why does the plasma cutter need compressed air?
The compressed air is an inexpensive and easily obtainable working tool, which is ideally suited for cutting alloy steels.
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Since all customers have their own ideas, wishes and technical requirements for their individual order, we work together with strong partners. This is the only way to provide the required quality and reliability for applications in industry and trade. Here you will find an overview of the renowned manufacturers with whom we cooperate in the field of welding and industrial robot technology as well as other components. Quality is our top priority. Always.
