Uses of Plasma Cutters
- Portable plasma cutters are used by contractors to cut metal while working out in the field. This makes it easy for mechanical contractors or HVAC servicemen to make needed repairs on-site instead of having to bring large pieces of metal back to the shop for cutting. Many times, all that is needed is a simple trim to make two metal pieces fit together. Having the plasma cutter right there on the site keeps the job from slowing down while waiting for the fabrication shop to make the necessary adjustments.
- Artists also use small plasma cutters to create unique works from metal. The tip of the plasma cutter can make very fine incisions in the metal, allowing the artist to make intricate patterns in the metal. Metal templates can also be created with a plasma cutter and used as a stencil for other forms of art.
- Plasma cutters are also finding their way into the demolition business because of their ability to cut away large sheets of metal. The power of the plasma cutter's beam allows demolition crews to remove structures and pipes far more quickly than if the metal had to be cut by hand. Disposal of the material is also more convenient when there is a plasma cutter on site. The sheets of metal can be sliced into smaller pieces that are easier to handle and to load into trucks for removal from the site.
- The precision of a plasma cutter is also beneficial to plumbing contractors. When pipes are cut with a standard torch, the ends can become distorted or flattened. This makes it difficult to fit the ends of two pipe sections together. The tip of a plasma cutter also leaves a much smoother edge than using a blade. This reduces the amount of time that must be spent grinding down the edges of the newly cut pipes.
- Plasma cutters are used in manufacturing to repeatedly make the same precise cuts. The cutter is attached to a piece of computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, which directs the torch to make its specified cut. This has drastically reduced manufacturing costs in the HVAC industry, which relies on CNC plasma cutters to mass produce metal ductwork.
