Is the plasma cutter factory or homemade?

The technology of plasma cutting was invented in the 60s of the 20th century. The first installations were cumbersome and expensive, so they could be purchased only by industrial enterprises. Over time, plasma cutting has been improved and made available to many consumers. Apparatuses were modified, acquired more compact dimensions, but at the same time greater productivity.

Plasma cutting is a kind of processing of materials, in which a jet of plasma is used instead of a cutter. An electric arc arises between the nozzle of the device and the electrode or between the metal and the electrode . The gas supplied to the nozzle under high pressure is converted by this arc into a jet of plasma, the maximum temperature reaches 30,000 degrees, the velocity is -1500 m / s. A plasma cutter can cut metal up to 200 mm thick. Ignition of the arc occurs from a high frequency pulse or a short circuit between the metal and the injector. Cooling of nozzles is carried out by air (gas flow) or by liquid method. Air jets are generally more reliable. On the other hand, liquid ones give better processing of metal, mainly they are used in powerful installations. Inactive and active gases are used to produce the plasma flow. Oxygen and air belonging to the first group are usually used in the process of cutting ferrous metals, while inactive gases - argon, hydrogen, water vapor, nitrogen - for cutting non-ferrous metals and their alloys.

Manual and automatic plasma cutting is used both for the simplest cutting of metal, for example, for recycling, and for manufacturing various parts of complex configuration and profile elements. The equipment at the same time is manual and automatic, stationary or portable. The main part of the installation is a plasma cutter (or plasmatron). The source of energy is an inverter or a traditional rectifier. In addition, there is a device for monitoring and cleaning air (pressure gauges, filters, flowmeters, dehumidifiers), a compressor, connecting hoses and cables. In the case of automation, a table for the placement of sheets and equipment for control and movement (CNC), software will be required.

If you need to cut metal or make a hole in an all-metal product at home, plasma manual metal cutting is the best option. To produce it, you need a special homemade plasma cutter. Like the factory-made cutter, it is equipped with a special nozzle.

When connected to a power source, an electric arc arises in it. Having such a device in the household, you can cut not only metal, but also plastic, ceramic tile, wood, etc. Components of the plasma cutter parts, such as the power unit and the nozzle, can be bought ready-made. The material for plasma in self-made devices is air, and for cooling, the liquid system. A plasma cutter, manufactured independently, is inferior in capacity to the factory product, but at the same time is an excellent assistant in the work. At the same time, a special gas or water vapor passes through the nozzle and the electric arc. Under the action of an electric arc, the gas / water vapor stream is ionized and converted into a flow of incandescent plasma with a minimum temperature of 6000 degrees. It should be borne in mind that not everyone can make a plasma cutter by their own hands, but to cut metal with the help of such equipment is enough even for a person who does not have much experience.