Plasma Cutting Technique - Chicago Electric 95136 Set Up And Operating Instructions Manual

c. Set the Torch handle down on the metal
workbench,
d. Turn the air supply off,
e. Unplug the line cord from the electrical
outlet.

Plasma Cutting technique

Using a plasma cutter is a skill that
requires time and effort to do well. Practice
striking and maintaining an arc on scrap work
pieces before beginning work. This will help
you gauge the best settings for the plasma
cutter for the material at hand.
1. You can cut any metal that will conduct
electricity up to approximately ½" thick
mild steel or equivalent. Very thin or
very thick metals are more difficult to cut
cleanly.
2. Generally set the air pressure between
60 and 80 psi. Increased air pressure
will increase plasma speed and cutting
pressure. Air pressure and amperage
should be adjusted in tandem.
3. Generally start with a mid-range
amperage setting (32-33 amps) and
adjust up or down from there. Increased
amperage will increase cutting heat.
This is needed with heavier and harder
metals. However, increased amperage
will reduce Duty Cycle time. (See page
2.)
4. Move the cutting head more slowly for
thicker and harder metals, and more
quickly for thin or soft metals. Keep the
cutting head moving while cutting.How
Plasma Cutters Work
Plasma cutters work by feeding an inert
gas (air) through an electric arc. The air is
then heated to an extremely high temperature
which converts the gas to plasma which cuts
the metal.
Page 12 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
High temperature and pressure are
required to create a plasma. The electric arc
provides the temperature, and by exhausting
the air through a very small orifice, the
pressure is increased far beyond the 60-80
PSI operating pressure of the air supply.
What is Plasma?
Materials in Nature exist in one of four
different states: Solid, Liquid, Gas or Plasma.
Plasma is very rare on Earth because of its
very high temperature, however most of the
matter in the universe is plasma. The Sun,
stars and galaxies are made of plasma. On
Earth, you will find plasma in lightening and a
few other places. Neon tubes and florescent
lights contain low-temperature plasma when
lighted.
The difference between water ice, liquid
water and water vapor is temperature. In
each of these states, temperature energy
pushes the molecules of water away from
each other to change the state the water is
in. At very high temperature and pressure
the water molecules themselves break apart,
and the atoms begin to ionize. Normal atoms
are made up of protons and neutrons in the
nucleus, surrounded by a cloud of electrons.
In plasma, the electrons separate from
the nucleus. The electrons are negatively
charged, and they leave behind their
positively charged nuclei which are known as
ions. When the fast-moving electrons collide
with other electrons and ions, they release
vast amounts of energy. This energy is what
gives plasma its unusual status and great
cutting power.
how do Plasma Cutters Work?
Plasma cutters work by sending a
pressurized gas through a small channel.
In the center of this channel, there is a
negatively charged electrode. When power
is supplied to the negative electrode, and
rev 10e
SKU 95136