PLASMA CUTTING
Plasma cutting is an effective way to cut through electrically conductive metals with ease. A plasma-cutting machine directs a supercharged stream of plasma towards the metal, resulting in extremely high temperatures that slice through it. Because plasma cutting is a simple, cost-effective cutting technique that cuts through any conductive metal, it’s a technique that’s found in industries around the world.
Plasma-cutting services are commonly automated using a robotic plasma-cutting machine, and integrated into wider robotic systems and manufacturing processes. Cyber-Weld provides bespoke robot plasma-cutting machines in the UK and can create fully automated solutions designed to meet industrial needs.
What Is Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting uses an extremely hot jet of plasma to physically melt through metals. It’s a highly effective way to cut metals, with plasma streams typically reaching extreme temperatures of 20,000 degrees Celsius or higher during the process. The plasma cutter is directed at the metal that needs to be cut, and the plasma stream does the hard work.
The main component of a plasma-cutting machine is the plasma torch, which may be hand-held or attached to a robotic arm. They work by creating an electric arc between the plasma torch and the material being cut, which is produced using a DC voltage. At the same time, compressed air or gas is fed into the plasma torch. The gas is ionised by the electricity, creating a powerful plasma arc that’s forced at high speed and pressure through a nozzle. This plasma reaches incredibly high temperatures, and the plasma stream can be directed toward the metal in order to melt and therefore cut it.
Plasma-cutting services require several key elements to be effective. This includes a plasma torch with a nozzle, which allows the plasma jet to be controlled by the user or robot. The nozzle often contains a cathode. The cathode forms an electric arc when connected to an anode, which in this case is the metal being cut. The plasma torch must be connected to a continuous DC voltage, and it must be grounded to protect the users. The plasma is supplied by different types of gasses, including compressed air or inert gases like nitrogen, argon or hydrogen.
What Is Plasma Cutting Good For?
Plasma cutters have the capacity to cut through large sheets of metal in a matter of seconds, making them an incredibly effective industrial tool. They are capable of producing clean, precise cuts using a relatively simple process that can be undertaken by hand or easily automated. The cost-effective nature of plasma cutting ensures that it’s become a firm favourite in a wide range of industries across the world.
Plasma cutters are found anywhere metals need cutting. This includes manufacturing industries, the automotive industry, aerospace industry, construction, scrapping, salvage and more. They are used in manufacturing and assembly processes (where they are often automated), with the most well known example being their use on car assembly lines.
Plasma-cutting machines are incredibly versatile tools, and while heavy industries make extensive use of them, they are employed on a much smaller scale too. You’ll find plasma-cutting machines in car repair workshops, for example, while they are also used in design, sculpting and artistic metalworking processes.
What Can You Cut With a Plasma Cutter?
Plasma cutting is a highly effective cutting process, and it’s commonly used to slice through a range of industrial metal materials.
It’s important to note however that plasma cutting is only used to cut through metal, not other materials. This is due to the fact that the process itself uses the metal material as an anode, and hence sustains the electric arc through connection with the metal. For this reason, the metal being cut must also be an electrically conductive metal that’s able to conduct an electric current.
Metal materials that are commonly cut with a plasma cutter include:
- Steel
- Stainless steel
- Copper
- Brass
- Aluminium
What Are the Disadvantages of Plasma Cutting?
As with any industrial process, plasma cutting does have its disadvantages. It’s important to be aware of these when deciding if a plasma-cutting service is the most effective process for the required job. The major disadvantages of plasma cutting include:
- Extreme heats are dangerous to workers
- Plasma cutting creates noise pollution
- The process results in bright, dangerous flashes
- Certain gases, especially inert gases, are often expensive
Why Choose Robotic Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting is well suited for automation. It’s possible for a robotic plasma-cutting machine to be fully integrated into wider robotic systems, including production, manufacturing and assembly lines. There are a number of important advantages to consider when choosing a robotic plasma-cutting service over manual plasma cutting. These advantages include:
- Improved health and safety
- Increased accuracy and precision
- Consistent, high-quality plasma cutting
- 24/7 operational capacity
- Cost and time savings
- Less waste
Cyber-Weld Is an Industry Leader in Robotic Plasma Cutting
If you’re searching for an automated plasma cutting service near me, then look no further than Cyber-Weld. We have more than 25 years of experience supplying industry-leading robotic solutions to happy clients all over the world. Our robotic engineering teams specialise in designing complex robotic solutions for a wide range of industries, and we regularly work with automated plasma-cutting machines.
Cyber-Weld Works with the Best Automation Brands
Cyber-Weld has access to the best plasma-cutting technology and equipment on the market. We work with the best automation brands, including FANUC, ABB and Yaskawa. We only ever provide our clients with technology we know and trust, so you can rest assured that our bespoke plasma-cutting solutions are of the highest possible quality.
Contact Cyber-Weld Today for More Information on Robotic Plasma Cutting Services
Cyber-Weld’s expert team provides a comprehensive range of robotic solutions, including automated plasma-cutting services. Our robotic engineers can design, produce and maintain bespoke plasma cutting solutions designed to meet your industrial requirements.
For more information on our robotic plasma-cutting services, contact Cyber-Weld today.