Plasma cutters cut through metal like butter to give you a very fast cutting experience. Faster speeds and a clean finish for thin metals, tricky shapes or angles. All with less slag.
We stock a great range of new and used plasma cutters. Whether manual or mechanised, all plasma cutter machines are available with warranty for peace of mind.
Plasma cutter tables are suitable for both small and large scale cutting applications. Users include industrial steel fabrication, artists, and even DIY enthusiasts.
Used to cut precise metal shapes, plasma cutting suits a variety of sheet metal cutting uses.
From an individual wanting to cut custom metal plates, through to industrial-scale operations. You accurately cut hundreds of identical shapes, fast. Using either handheld plasma cutting systems or mechanised CNC plasma tables.
What is a plasma cutter?
Plasma cutters are used to cut through metal, cutting custom shapes out of plates and sheet. These include holes, straps, bolts and pipes.
Once considered industrial, they are now used by creatives and hobby metalworkers, too. Anyone from a shipyard to a sculptor could use a plasma cutter.
How does a plasma cutter work?
Plasma cutters work by sending an electric arc through a gas that is passing through a constricted opening. The gas passes through a restricted opening (nozzle) causing it to squeeze by at a high speed. It is this high speed jet of gas that cuts through the metal.
Why do we need plasma cutting machines?
Industry today relies upon the use of manipulated heavy metals and alloys. Everything from cars, bridges, and even robots need fine-cut metal components.
But, while metal is very strong, it’s also resistant to damage. Thus specialist machinery needs to be used to cut and manipulate the metal alloys.
Can you cut aluminium with a plasma cutter?
Yes, you can cut aluminium with a plasma cutter. Ensure your machine is at least 40 amps, this is due to the output power required for good results. To make the process as easy as possible, check the machine settings in the manual. Follow these and you will get good results from plasma cutting aluminium.
Plasma cutter brands.
ESAB, Hypertherm, and Thermal Dynamics offer solutions for manual and CNC plasma cutting. Others include Kjellberg, Lincoln Electric, SAF, Miller, GYS, and Goodwin.
Looking for a mechanised plasma cutting table? We recommend the following manufacturers:
Esprit Automation, Messer Griesheim, ProArc, Torchmate, Koike, Burny Kaliburn, and Farley.
Types of plasma cutting machines:
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Hand-held or manual plasma cutters are simple and easy to use. They are best utilised for mobile and portable cutting work. As well as ad-hoc fabrication of parts, heavy plant repairs, gouging and artwork.
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Tracing plasma cutters are optical cutting tables that have photoelectric control. Instead of using metal templates, scanning systems follow line drawings or template silhouettes. Also known as magic eye profile cutters, they are simple to use. Offering great affordability and accuracy.
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Gantry CNC plasma cutting machines are a robust, compact option for mechanised cutting. Available in various sizes and compatible with oxy-acetylene too, they make a versatile addition to sheet metal fab shops.
CNC plasma profile cutting benefits:
How to choose the right CNC plasma cutter for you.
Mechanical components:
There are many choices here. Each machine will have moving parts. The gantry or rail axis , the torch carriage or cross axis, and the Z axis (the up down axis used to control torch height).
Industrial machines under long, production-type use, need to be robust and reliable. Expect everything to be heavy, precise and overbuilt (expensive - but you get what you pay for).
On entry level, low-cost machines, expect the same components to be small and lightweight. Construction costs are much lower, but you can still pick up well-engineered machines. By using lightweight components on smaller machines, money saving occurs across all components. The drive motor, electronics, gearing, etc. allow the system to perform at good speed ranges with reasonable accuracy.
The vast majority of lower-priced machines use stepper motors as the drive systems. Larger, more sophisticated industrial systems will use servo drives.
Both technologies have the ability to move the plasma cutting torch with precision. But modern, appropriate servo drives will have a greater speed and torque capability. Thus improving the ability of a plasma torch to cut very thin materials at speeds of over 400 in. per minute. Plus, thick materials at speeds in the 10 ipm or less range.
Servos are more intuitive for machine operators as they use encoder feedback to the CNC. This reduces the likelihood of lost positioning on the cutting table in the event of an error. Whether a collision with a part, power failure, or other cutting anomalies that can occur.
Fume control:
Regardless of power or type of plasma cutter you install on a CNC cutting bed, there must be a fume control system. The two basic types used for plasma cutting are downdraft fume extraction and water table fume extraction.
A water tray fume control is just that; a tray (from 2 in. to any depth) that allows water to touch the bottom of the workpiece. The fine, hot particles of molten metal are blown by the force of the plasma jet into the water. These particles then cool, and sink in the tray. Without the water, larger particles would fall, but smaller particles would drift up when hot. This would rise in the form of smoke. Much of the smoke is a by-product of mill scale or oil on the material; some of it is the material.
Downdraft tables need enough air flow to create a powerful flow rate. Enabling the air to move the heavy and light particles through a duct.
Typically, a 2 x 2 table needs about 1000 cfm, a 4 x 4 about 3500 cfm, and a 4 x 8 about 7000 cfm to remove the smoke and fumes. That means that during heating season, you will be pulling that amount of heat out of your shop.
Some better designs use a cold air makeup duct strategically placed near the table. Utilising outside air for air flow of the table, instead of your shop air.
Larger downdraft tables use zoned sections with movable louvers. In this case, suction is only pulling on the area of the table that the torch is cutting on.
There are many downdraft tables that use a large, self-cleaning filtration system. This is the preferred plasma cutting extraction method for medium to large scale production. These filter the fumes and smoke and keep the heat in the shop. See these examples from Kemper and Donaldson Torit. The filter systems, zoned systems and air makeup systems add cost and complexity.
Conclusion? Water tables downdraft systems are very effective at controlling the fumes and smoke from the cutting process.
Water, in contact with most metals, will affect edge quality of the cut aesthetically. Expect an increase in roughness and dross (re-solidified metal on the bottom edge), compared to downdraft tables. Yet water helps control warpage and camber that occurs from heat input on long, thin parts.
CAD and CAM software:
CAD (computer assisted drawing/drafting), lets you draw the exact parts needed. This electronic drawing is then input to the CAM (computer assisted machining/manufacturing) software. CAM software “post processes” the drawing. Including adjusting the size to compensate for the kerf width of the cut. You can also add lead-ins and lead-outs to the drawing, which enables the piercing process to have minimal effect on the finished part.
The CAM file then is transferred to the CNC via USB port. Upon which it is converted into electrical signals that control the entire cutting process.
Today, there are CAM software packages that do much more than “post process” CAD drawings. CAM for cutting applications is often called nesting software. Not only post-processing, but positioning multiple CAD files, in different quantities. This is the most efficient way of using the plate of material. Nesting rotates and positions parts, often generating reports like costing, plate waste and usage.
Modern CAM software can also control and set virtually every cutting parameter automatically! These include arc current, voltages, gas pre-flow, cut-flow settings. As well as cut speeds, cut heights, pierce heights and more. This simplifies the machine operators job, limiting scrap and increasing productivity.
On some low cost machines the CAD and CAM software combine, allowing for a seamless transition from drawing to cutting. The advantage being smaller shops are able to draw and cut parts right at the machine. This makes the learning curve to operate these machines much shorter.
We can supply a range of associated products for your plasma cutting projects. Fume extraction units - vital for H&S of employees, consumables and tips to help you gain the optimum cut. Enabling you to achieve good results in the most economical way. We can recommend gas suppliers, supply cutting beds and rails, control units and software CAD CAM support.
With such a lot to consider when purchasing a machine, get the best value for your budget with a used CNC plasma cutter.
Get a trusted, unbiased solution and the right package for your needs.
Give us a call if you want to chat over your options.
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We are always searching to buy more plasma cutting systems.
If you want to make space in your workshop, or are upgrading your current plasma cutter, please get in touch.
Get the best market price for any used CNC or handheld plasma cutter. Giving you negotiating power on your next machine.
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