The effectiveness of any metalwork depends on the tool used. If you don’t use the right tool for the job, then you will get poor results. When cutting metal, the same concept applies. When cutting metal, operators use various tools. One of them is a plasma cutter. This metal cutting tool produces high-quality finishes that look attractive and presentable. Choosing the right plasma cutting system is not easy if you don’t know the features and specifications required for the job. If you don’t have the slightest clue how to choose a plasma cutter, this article is written just for you, so read on for more insights.
Tip # 1. Know the Requirements
If you don’t know what your needs are when selecting a plasma cutting system, the chances are that you are going to pick the wrong type of plasma cutting machine. You need to understand what the metalwork requires before heading to the shop and buying a plasma cutter. Once you have a clear idea of what you want your metalwork entails, you will choose a plasma cutter that meets your needs. There are several questions that you need to ask yourself before buying a plasma cutter. Here are some of them:
Are you planning to cut the workpiece on the table or by hand?
Are you looking for a portable unit that is easy to move around or want the unit to be stationery?
- What is the workload, or how often are you planning to use your plasma cutter?
- What type of metal are you planning to cut with the plasma cutter?
- How thick are the metal pieces you are going to cut using the plasma cutter?
- How much have you set aside to buy the plasma cutter?
- While using your plasma cutter, how are you going to power it? Are you going to use a power outlet, or are you planning to use a generator?
Step by step instructions to Pick the Best Plasma Cutting System
Tip # 2. Consider the Output Power
The thickness of the workpieces you plan to cut using the plasma cutter is determined by the output power level (amperage) of a plasma cutter. Plasma cutters are usually rated by the amperage. The thickness of the metal you are planning to cut is based on the plasma cutter’s power output. The thickness range must match the workpiece you are planning to cut most frequently. Thicker workpieces will require greater amperage if you want to cut with ease and efficiency.
Tip # 3. Consider the Cutting Speed
To get the best plasma cutter in the market, you need to consider the cutting speed. The speed of the plasma cutter also affects the outcome of the cut. If you are planning to cut thicker metal pieces, you need to calculate your machine’s level of output. When cutting thicker metals, the plasma requires higher speed and verse vasa.
The good news is that you don’t have to calculate the cutting speed on your own. The manufacturer will display this information on the plasma cutter to match up with the range of metal pieces you are planning to cut. To get the cutting speed, check its Inches Per Minute (IPM) value. You can also ask the manufacturer to provide you with the information about the cutting speed.
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Tip # 4. Check its Duty Cycle
Plasma cutters operate for some time, and then they need to cool down. Within ten minutes, a plasma cutter runs without a break before cooling down is known as the duty cycle. A five-minute duty cycle, for example, means that the plasma cutter will run for five minutes before it needs to cool down for 10 minutes. The longer the duty cycle, the deeper the cut or lengthen the time you ate will use the plasma cutter. Thinner workpieces require plasma cutters with shorter duty cycles.
If you want the best results when using a plasma cutting system, you need to align the duty cycle with your cutting needs. Using a plasma cutter with a four or five-minute duty cycle on a workpiece that requires a 3-minute duty cycle may cause the plasma cutter to overheat. This will lead to higher maintenance costs.
Tip # 5. Know the Operating Cost
The consumables of the plasma cutter will determine its operating cost. Parts of a plasma cutter that need to be replaced after some time are called consumables. A damaged cutting tip may lead to a low-quality outcome, or the operator will require more time to cut the workpiece. The best results means that the operator needs to ensure that the cutting tip is always in top operation shape.
Conclusion
Work efficiently is always affected by the type of tool you choose to buy. If you want to get the best results when using a plasma cutting system, then observe these give tips. We hope that you are enlightened and you can now pick the best plasma system for your job.
