subject: Plasma Cutting Systems in India [print this page] Plasma Cutting Systems in India Plasma Cutting Systems in India
Plasma cutting systems in India are in popular demand. Used from small workshops to large industrial manufacturing units, these machines basically cut metal and other electrically conducive sheet materials of varied thickness. Known for the portability of these high power systems, the plasma cutting process is considered dangerous too. Hence, safety of the operator is of high concern. Protective helmet, gloves, welding goggles and face shield, etc. are mandatory for the usage of such equipment.
There are in all three different types of plasma cutting systems available in the market. First is the high frequency contact system, which is also known as the HF. The high frequency contact system was popular in the past years. Because it uses a high frequency spark to initiate the electrical arc to cut metal, it is rightly named high frequency contact system. This system could only cut electrically conducive metal sheets. Also, in this process the electrical arc has to be kept in contact with material being cut, which means that operator of the machine has to keep the nozzle that produces the plasma in contact with the sheet that has to be cut. The machine is controlled by hand.
Second type of system is the pilot arc process. In this system a small pocket of plasma is created. This pilot is maintained within the nozzle until it comes in contact with the metal sheet or material that is to be cut. This pilot arc then becomes a full plasma arc, which gets hot enough to cut the material. Because of the way this system works, it also allows cutting of non-conducive materials also. For example, heavy plastic sheets or glass. This machine too is controlled manually.
The third type of system is the computer numerical controlled (CNC) process. The CNC systems are newer and can also cut non-conducive materials. These systems have a fixed plasma torch that is controlled by computer. In this system the cutting can be pre-programmed to cut various shapes and dimensions.
Plasma cutting systems in India are used extensively for industrial processes, thus making it a necessity to develop better and more efficient systems. In the last decade or so the various plasma cutting system manufacturers have come up with new models that have a smaller nozzle and thinner plasma arcs. This has put the plasma cutting machines at par with laser cutting machines, as this allows more precision cuts and better finish to the product. Even the prices of the plasma cutting systems have gone down, and for this reason welding shops, garages, etc. are able to use these machines to their advantage.
