| Scientists have proved that apart from the three | | | | preference over the older type of cutters. They |
| states of matter which are known to them, | | | | have the added benefit of being user friendly and |
| namely solid, liquid and gas, there is a fourth type | | | | ensure economic advantages like minimized |
| known as plasma. It does not exist naturally on | | | | energy consumption. Since they do not require |
| earth. When a gas is heated to very high | | | | flammable constituents, the risk factor involved is |
| temperature, tremendous amount of energy is | | | | much lesser. They can be operated on electric |
| transferred to the atoms which ionize into its | | | | power or gas. There are cases where Nitrogen or |
| basic components, nuclei and electrons. Plasma is | | | | highly pressurized air can be used. |
| known to be an excellent electric conductor. | | | | Plasma cutters are considered to be more |
| Plasma cutters work by passing a gas through a | | | | efficient than traditional oxy fuel cutters because |
| narrow opening and bringing this in contact with an | | | | they complete the work quickly and efficiently. |
| electric arc. The gas used can be nitrogen, | | | | Plasma cutters generate heat which is about |
| oxygen, argon or compressed air. This causes the | | | | 22000 degrees whereas the oxy fuels generate a |
| temperature of the gas to rise astronomically | | | | mere 3150 degree Celsius. They can easily burn |
| resulting in the production of plasma. This high | | | | through most surface coatings such as paint and |
| energy released is passed to the metal under | | | | rust and still impart excellent cutting results. It is |
| operation by the electrical conductivity property | | | | essential to have an idea how thick the metal is |
| of plasma. Since the plasma is basically a fluid, it | | | | that you intend to cut with the equipment. |
| has the capacity to clear the metal surface | | | | The thickness of the metal will have a direct |
| devoid of the residue produced from the cut. | | | | affect on the size of the equipment required. For |
| The main drawback of conventional gas cutters | | | | operations where cutting thin metals are involved, |
| were that they were not able to cut metals with | | | | a smaller machine will be sufficient whereas to cut |
| good conductivity. This disadvantage has been | | | | thick metals, heavier equipment is required. There |
| overcome with the new plasma cutter. The | | | | are various models that are available and are |
| cutter can be used to cut mild steel, cast iron, | | | | unique in design and performance. The well known |
| aluminium, copper and stainless steel. Therefore | | | | brands include Miller, Esbab, Lincoln and CNC |
| they it is widely employed in industries where | | | | plasma cutters. A Hypertherm plasma cutter |
| such operations are involved. The new plasma | | | | involves working with plasma at elevated |
| cutters are comparatively cheaper than | | | | temperatures, therefore all safety procedures |
| conventional gas cutters which gives them | | | | should be strictly adhered to. |