Enter the name for this tabbed section: What is Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting is a process that is used to cut steel and other metals of different thicknesses (or sometimes other materials) using a plasma torch. In this process, an inert gas (in some units, compressed air) is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What is CNC?
Computer Numerical Control. Modern CNC mills differ little in concept from the original model built at MIT in 1952. Mills typically consist of a table that moves in the X and Y axes, and a tool spindle that moves in the Z (depth). The position of the tool is driven by motors through a series of step-down gears in order to provide highly accurate movements, or in modern designs, direct-drive stepper motors. Closed-loop control is not mandatory today, as open-loop control works as long as the forces are kept small enough.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What can be made using a Plasma Cutter?
- Art
- Artists also use plasma cutters to create unique works from metal. The tip of the plasma cutter can make very fine incisions in the metal, allowing the artist to make intricate patterns in the metal. Metal templates can also be created with a plasma cutter and used as a stencil for other forms of art.