Best CNC Plasma Cutting Machine Manufacturer & Supplier

The process of plasma cutting along with its different elements

Plasma cutting is the process of using a high temperature and a high-speed plasma arc as a heat source to cut through metal workpieces.

It operates on the principle of making use of compressed gas as its working medium. The compressed gas is ionized, resulting in the formation of a high temperature and a high-speed plasma arc, which is used to melt the unrequired part of the metal workpiece.

The high-pressure utilized plasma arc pushes the molten metal away from the substrate, resulting in a thin and clean cut on the surface of the substrate.

Working of a CNC plasma cutting machine

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine uses a computer screen to operate and is responsible for cutting metal workpieces with the help of a plasma torch. It works by forcefully transferring a gas at high pressure with the help of a nozzle.

Later, an electric arc is injected into the gas, which results in the formation of ionized gas or plasma which is responsible for cutting through the metal workpiece.

You can use a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine to perform the following three main methods of plasma cutting:

• 2 axis plasma cutting
• 3 axis plasma cutting
• 4 axis plasma cutting
• 5 axis plasma cutting
• Tube and section plasma cutting

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is mostly used for cutting carbon steel, metal, alloy, steel, and steel tube with thicknesses ranging from 0-50mm, as well as stainless steel with thicknesses ranging from 0-20mm.

You can also use your CNC Plasma Cutting Machine to cut, aluminum, brass, copper, and other conductive metals. Some other materials would include cast iron, titanium, Monel, and Inconel.

Plasma cut art on metal

Different companies have different requirements as well as different environments that have an effect on the performance of a cutting machine.

CNC plasma cutting machine vs laser cutting machine vs waterjet cutting machine

We will list down the features of these three cutting machines along with which machine surpasses the others in that specified feature. Then we will let you decide yourself which cutting machine seems to fit your company’s status and requirements.

Operating Expenses:

Consider the following factors when calculating your operational expenses: electricity, gas, and consumable costs; abrasive; and regular maintenance costs.

The operational cost of a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine, under the following considerations, would still be the lowest, with a usual estimate of about $15 per hour.

Due to these considerations, the cost of a laser cutting machine would be somewhat higher, with an estimated rate of $20 per hour on average. Waterjet is generally regarded to be the most costly, with estimates ranging from around $30 per hour to over $100 per hour.

Rate of production:

The rate of production of these cutting machines is determined by comparing their cutting speed.

CNC Plasma Cutting Machine outperforms all other cutting processes because it is capable of cutting a wide range of materials at speeds ranging from 60 inches per minute to 200 inches per minute.

On most materials, the laser cutting machine is much slower, and its speed usually ranges from 20 inches per minute to 70 inches per minute.

The waterjet cutting machine is by far the most time-consuming of these three. Its cutting speed will vary on different metal plates depending on their thickness and quality and will range from 15 inches per minute to a fraction of an inch per minute.

Materials to be processed:

When making a purchasing choice, it is very essential to take into account the range of materials a cutting machine is able to process.

The waterjet cutting machine is the most versatile of these three cutting techniques since it can cut virtually any kind of material with relative ease. A laser cutting machine can only be used on metallic materials, certain polymers and fiberglass, and some fabrics.

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine has the greatest limitations. It is only capable of cutting conductive metals, and it is only truly feasible for mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, among other materials.

Cut edge quality:

The squareness of the completed edge, as well as the amount of dross that clings to the bottom of the cut, are all indicators of the cut edge quality of a cutting machine.

When it comes to excellent cuts, a waterjet cutting machine is generally the best option since

it produces a highly square cut with little to no dross and little piercing splatter.

The laser cutting machine ranks after the waterjet cutting machine in terms of cut edge quality since it too produces a very square cut, although it may leave some dross and create

some piercing splatter when cutting thicker mild steel or stainless steel.

Amongst these three cutting machines, the CNC Plasma Cutting Machine would have the weakest cut edge quality as it possesses some degree of edge bevel angle, and this will often result in some dross. Because of the greater kerf width, it also produces much more piercing splatter than a laser.

Price range:

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is your cheapest option regarding purchasing costs. You can easily get a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine with a price range of anywhere from $15,000 to $300,000, depending on the kind, size, and features.

Waterjet cutting machines come with an ultra high-pressure intensifier which is the most expensive element of it and increases the overall price range of a waterjet machine from around $100,000 to about $350,000 depending on its size and features.

Laser cutting machines are the most expensive kind of cutting machine. There might be some second-hand laser cutting machines available for purchase that you can get for around $250,000 in a good condition. A new laser cutting machine, on the other hand, will usually start at about $350,000 and may easily surpass $1,000,000.

Considering the overall comparison, CNC Plasma Cutting Machines have taken the lead, hence, we will suggest that you opt for this option as you have the statistics right in front of you.

Otherwise, it is completely up to you if you want to purchase some other cutting machine.

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine can offer you the following benefits which make them worthy of buying:

Cutting speed: Because of the high efficiency and rapid cutting speed of the CNC Plasma Cutting Machine, it has become a popular choice for many professionals in the industry. You can increase the cutting speed of your CNC Plasma Cutting Machine to more than 10 meters per minute.

Higher precision: The accuracy of the cut of a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is much greater than that of laser or waterjet cutting machines. The underwater cutting process causes no distortion and the fine plasma cutting results in greater accuracy than the conventional cutting methods.

Automatic operation: The CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is equipped with a high-end plasma CNC system. All of the cutting work is done offline, and everything is done in a humane manner.

Effective time management: When there is a power failure or a breakdown, the machine has the capability of continuing to carve. Additionally, the capability of predicting processing time as well as automated tool setup is included.

Flexibility: A precise beam of a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is enough to create curves, unusual forms, and intersecting cuts on any metal. You can direct a Plasma Cutting Machine, whether it is operated manually or automatically, to have the same precision as if you are drawing with a pencil.

The cut part accuracy is a measure of the difference between the actual resultant part size and the programmed part size, which takes into account the kerf width as well as other factors.

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine consists of a standard part size tolerance of +/-0.020” and a typical kerf width of 0.150”.

Gas is required for the operation of a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine in order for it to function and generate plasma.

The most often used gases are oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; while some CNC Plasma Cutting Machines are also equipped with multi-gas capabilities, allowing a range of gases to be utilized for a number of purposes. Because it has the highest cutting speed out of all the plasma gases, oxygen has quickly established itself as the standard gas for cutting steel.

However, while in use or storage, oxy-fuel poses a high danger of explosion or unintentional ignition due to the presence of oxygen. Hence, it should be avoided, if possible.

If your job requires you to cut aluminum and stainless steel, using nitrogen is the greatest option for you, since it produces the highest cut quality and provides the finest cutting performance.

Argon is the most efficient plasma for operating on thick stainless steel and aluminum because it is the hottest burning plasma available. Clean, dry shop air is suggested to you for a more cost-effective option that will cut through mild and stainless steel, as well as aluminum, with little effort.

It also makes use of inert gases, which makes it much safer and environmentally friendly to employ than oxygen-based cutting methods.

Plasma as the fourth state of matter

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine would definitely provide you with quality cuts, over, there are certain measures that you need to take as well in order to improve the overall quality and performance of your plasma cutter.

All you need to do is follow the mentioned steps below:

• It is essential that your surroundings have clean, dry, and oil-free air as it has a great impact on the cut quality and the consumable life.
• For both piercing and cutting operations, it is essential that you ensure your machine maintains the proper height at all times.
• You also need to stay cautious of the direction of your cuts. It can be clearly observed that the squarest cut angles are always on the right-hand side. When you need to make an external cut, you should move the torch in a clockwise direction, and when you need to make an internal cut, you should move the torch in a counterclockwise direction.
• Constant maintenance and cleaning of your CNC Plasma Cutting Machine need to be done regularly.
• You need to ensure that the plasma torch itself is completely square to the surface of your metal in order to reduce the likelihood of having bevels on your cuts.
• Speed is an essential factor that determines the quality of your cuts, hence, you need to make sure that you are cutting at the specified speed.
• You also need to make sure that there is no sort of vibration in your cutting torch, otherwise, your finished workpiece would not have perfect edges.

Even though a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine has a wide range of benefits, it still possesses some cons that affect its overall performance. These cons would be:

• A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is loud and produces excessive emissions, hence, you need to make certain that all plasma cutting done in your company takes place in a well-ventilated and open environment.
• Plasma is also noted for producing very blinding sparks during the cutting process, hence, you need to make certain that any workers who will be working near or utilizing the CNC Plasma Cutting Machine are provided with safety instructions and appropriate eye protection.
• It requires a specialized gas provider and a gas connection.
• It can produce distortion, however, it can be decreased through underwater cutting.

Safety hazards involved in CNC plasma cutting machines

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is extensively utilized in a variety of industries, including:

• Automobile repair and restoration
• Industrial construction
• Salvage and scrapping
• Metal fabrication
• Machinery manufacturing
• Engineering machinery
• Mining machinery
• Shipbuilding
• Pressure vessels

Plasma cutting robots used in heavy industries

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is an extremely wise choice for cutting purposes, however, you need to buy the right kind that suits your working conditions or you will face many adverse effects.

The main things that you need to focus on are the purchasing cost, operating cost, quality of the cuts, the accuracy of the cuts, and the production rate of the machine.

Other than that here are some factors that you should keep a keen eye on while purchasing a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine:

• Air Compressor:

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine requires compressed air to operate so that it can generate plasma, which may be supplied by either a built-in air compressor or an external compressed air supply system.

Both of these kinds provide excellent results, but when selecting a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine, you must definitely consider which one is the most efficient for you.

Although a built-in air compressor will be more costly, it will allow you to do minor tasks more quickly and efficiently.

Air compressor

• Pilot Arc:

A pilot arc is a cutting function that allows you to cut metal without the tip of the torch hitting the metal, resulting in a more consistent arc and extended life.

This is advantageous for cutting rusted services since it eliminates the need to clean the metal since you are not hitting it.

Pilot arc

• Voltage:

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is available with a choice of three different voltages to suit various applications.

If you want, you may purchase a 115V plasma cutter or a 230V plasma cutter, or you may even get a plasma cutter with both these voltage options available. It operates at 115V and is ideal for amateurs that require a plasma cutter for household purposes and with lesser power.

A CNC Plasma Cutting Machine that operates at 230V  means you’ll need a generator as a secondary power source. If you have one with both voltage options, you can simply use them with both these considerations.

• Cut quality:

There are three kinds of cuts that a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine is capable of making. These are: rated cut, quality cut, and severe cut.

You need to determine the thickness of the metal you need to operate and then choose the respected cut offered by your CNC Plasma Cutting Machine.

In a rated cut, the thickness of metal that can be cut is at a rate of 10 inches per minute without tearing the metal. A higher-quality cut is achieved by cutting at a slower pace, hence, you can cut a thicker metal.

Sever cut is the highest limit of thickness that can be operated. It will take a long time and may not result in a very clean cut.

• Weight:

Depending on your selected model, a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine may weigh anything from 20lbs to 100lbs for the most rugged industrial operations.

If your job requires you to transport your CNC Plasma Cutting Machine from one job to another, you’ll want something that is lightweight and won’t strain your back.

Keep in mind, however, that smaller and lighter CNC Plasma Cutting Machines will not be able to cut through as thick of a piece of metal as a larger and heavier CNC Plasma Cutting Machine.

We hope that you are now fully acquainted with CNC Plasma Cutting Machines and their various applications and have decided which kind to opt for.

If you need any further assistance our experts are available 24/7 to guide you.

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