Plasma Cutting: Procedure And Technical Data - INE SKYLINE60 Manual De Instrucciones

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9 Plasma cutting:
technical data
Plasma is the high temperature (around 10,000°C),
ionized gas generated by the electric arc during any
welding process. In the plasma cutting process the
ionized gas is constricted at high speed (over 1,000
m/s) through the torch nozzle. The nozzle and electrode
constrict and maintain the plasma jet.
The cutting operation is therefore the result of the
following combined actions:
•
the temperature of the plasma arc melts the metal,
pierces through the workpiece and
•
the high speed gas flow removes the molten material
The special shape of the torch nozzles attains
maximum arc constriction so as to minimize cutting
width and maximize cutting depth.
The basic plasma cutting system consists of:
•
a DC power source
•
a compressed gas source
•
a pressure reducer
•
a plasma cutting torch
TORCH
Plasma cutting process is used as an alternative to the
oxyacetylene cutting process when cutting mild steel,
whereas it is essential for cutting stainless steel,
aluminium and its alloys, as well as other non-ferrous
metals.
Air is the most widely used plasma gas, probably due to
the fact that compressed air is relatively cheap and
readily available at virtually any location. There are may
different plasma and shield gas combinations (e.g.
argon, nitrogen, hydrogen and their mixtures) which
can be used to enhance the cut performance on
different materials and applications, but they require the
use of special water-cooled torches.
procedure and
PRESSURE PRESSURE
GAUGE REDUCER
The graphics below illustrate, as an indication, the
relation existing among current output, workpiece
thickness and cutting speed.
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