Parts of Plasma Cutter:

Plasma cutters are available in all shapes and sizes. There are monstrous plasma cutters that use automatic arms to create precise incisions. There are too compact, handheld units that you may find in a many shops. Regardless of size, all plasma cutters work on the similar principle and are constructed approximately roughly the similar design.

Plasma cutters function by sending a rushed gas, such as nitrogen, argon, or oxygen, through a little channel. In the middle of this channel, you will find a negatively charged electrode. When you apply power to the negative electrode, and you touch the tip of the needle to the metal, the link generates a circuit. A powerful spark is created between the electrode and the metal. As the inert gas passes through the channel, the spark warm up the gas until it arrive at the fourth state of matter. This response builds a stream of directed plasma, about 30,000 F (16,649 C) and moving at 20,000 feet per second (6,096 m/sec), which decreases metal to molten slag.

The plasma itself conducts electrical power. The cycle of creating the arc is nonstop as long as electrical power is supplied to the electrode and the plasma stays in contact with the metal that is being cut. In order to make sure this contact, guard the cut from oxidation and control the unpredictable nature of plasma, the cutter needle has a second set of channels. These channels produce a steady flow of shielding gas in the region of the cutting area. The force of this gas flow efficiently controls the radius of the plasma beam.