Tweco Dynamics Automation - Manual (Page 2)

What is plasma?
Plasma is a gas heated to an extremely high temperature and ionized so that it becomes
electrically conductive. Plasma arc cutting uses the plasma as an electrode to transfer a
electrical arc to the work piece. The heat of the arc melts the work piece and the force of the
plasma and shield gases blow away the molten metal to cut the work piece.
Different metals react differently to plasma cutting. Carbon steel can be oxidized, and is usually
cut with a plasma containing oxygen to take advantage of the exothermic process. Higher
levels of oxygen in the plasma result in higher heat and higher rates of oxidation. The result is
a faster and cleaner cut. Stainless steel and aluminum are not subject to rapid oxidation and
depend entirely on the plasma’s heat for the cutting process. Because plasma produces much
higher heat than the oxygen-fuel cutting process, plasma can cut stainless steel and aluminum
quickly and cleanly.
Choosing a plasma process
Thermal Dynamics systems offer a variety of plasma cutting processes for precision and general
purpose cutting. Ultra-Cut systems offer precision cutting as well as conventional cut options.
Auto-Cut O2 systems offer high speed oxygen cutting, precision non-ferrous and conventional
cut options. Auto-Cut systems offer conventional mild steel and precision non-ferrous options.
Plasma Shield
O
2
Air
Mild Steel Precision 50-300 Amps
and High Speed Oxygen Process
Weld Ready Cut Surface
O
2
O
2
Mild Steel Precision at 30 Amps Weld Ready Cut Surface
N
2
H
2
O Precision Non-Ferrous
Best Cut Quality on Stainless
and Aluminum to ¾”
N
2
N
2
Conventional Thin Non-Ferrous
Better Parts Life Than Air
Better Cut Surface Than Air on
Non-Ferrous
H35 N
2
Thicker Non-Ferrous
>¾” Aluminum
>¾” Stainless
Faster Cutting on Thicker SS and
Aluminum
Weld Ready Cut Surface
H35=65%Ar/ 35%H
2
Air Air Conventional Mild Steel
Economical Cost of Operation
Good Cut Quality
Air Air Conventional Non-Ferrous Economical Cost of Operation
Process
Used For Advantages
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