Plasma cutting

Wahl [33] describes the production of highly wear resistant sieves in soft annealed plates of chromium steel by punching, plasma cutting or mechanical working followed by heating and strain hardening. 

The principle of plasma cutting involves the constriction of an arc formed between an electrode (cathode) and a workpiece by a fine-bore copper nozzle. A schematic of the plasma cutting device is shown in Fig. 7-103. Restricting the opening through which plasma gas passes increases the jet velocity and heat flux to the workpiece. Plasma temperatures in... 

Figure 20 Examples of parts made on a combination punching and plasma cutting machine. (Courtesy of STRJPPIT, Inc.)...

The cutting system has been the most difficult system to develop due to the requirement for reliability, minimal maintenance and control of secondary waste production. Extensive trials have been carried out on plasma cutting systems, swaging... 

The waterjet technology offers its users several important advantages compared to traditional machining methods and other nontraditional machining techniques as well (laser cutting, plasma cutting, and ultrasonic machining), for example,... 

Hazards The plasma-cutting arc produces hot metal and sparks, especially during the initial piercing of the metal. It also heats the work piece and the cutting torch. 

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