What is a plasma cutting machine?

Plasma cutting machine is a widely used cutting machine in various industries. The following is a detailed introduction to it:

1、 Definition and purpose

Plasma Cutting Machine, also known as Plasma Cutting Machine, is a mechanical device that uses plasma cutting technology to process metal materials. It is a machining method that uses the heat of high-temperature plasma arc to melt (and evaporate) the metal part or part at the cutting edge of the workpiece, and uses the momentum of high-speed plasma to remove the molten metal to form a cutting edge. Plasma cutting machine can be used for cutting various metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron, carbon steel, etc. It not only has fast cutting speed, narrow cutting seam, smooth incision, small heat affected zone, low workpiece deformation, simple operation, but also has significant energy-saving effect. It is widely used in the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of metal structures such as automobiles, locomotives, and pressure vessels, as well as cutting, drilling, repairing, and chamfering of medium and thin plates.

2、 Working principle

The working principle of plasma cutting machine mainly includes three aspects: plasma arc generation, plasma arc cutting, and gas assistance:

Plasma arc occurrence: When current passes through a plasma gas, atoms in the gas are excited into a plasma state, forming a plasma arc. The high temperature and energy of plasma arc enable it to cut metal materials. In plasma cutting machines, a pair of electrodes are usually used to generate plasma arcs, with one electrode being the workpiece itself and the other electrode being the electrode on the cutting head.

Plasma arc cutting: Once a plasma arc is generated, it is focused into a small flame with high temperature and energy. This flame can penetrate metal materials and form a narrow cutting seam. During the cutting process, the plasma arc will continuously move to form the desired cutting shape.

Gas assisted: During the cutting process, a gas such as nitrogen or oxygen is usually sprayed onto the cutting area. This gas can help plasma arc react better with metal materials, accelerate cutting speed, and blow the slag generated during the cutting process away from the cutting area, thereby maintaining cutting quality.

3、 Structural composition

The plasma cutting machine mainly consists of the following parts:

Beam: An important part used for balancing and horizontal cutting in plasma cutting machines, which is itself a part of the machine body. During work, the cutting gun moves horizontally and performs cutting work.

Base: located on the guide rail, under the crossbeam, with rollers at the bottom. Mainly used for longitudinal movement of equipment and cutting actions.

Lift body: Adjacent to the cutting gun, located on the crossbeam. Mainly used for moving the cutting gun up and down, it can process plates of different thicknesses.

In addition, the plasma cutting machine also includes key components such as cutting power supply (including main circuit and control circuit), plasma gun, gas distribution system, etc.

In summary, plasma cutting machine is an efficient and precise metal cutting equipment, and its working principle and structural composition reflect the widespread application and continuous innovation of modern technology in the field of metal processing.