Plasma Cutting Aluminum: CNC Plasma Projects Guide

Plasma cutting aluminum is relatively new technology. It was introduced after 1990s. CNC plasma projects of aluminum consist of fabricating aluminum with plasma cutter which gives effective results than other cutting techniques. If you are doing any CNC plasma project for aluminum, then the points to ponder is what are plasma cutting aluminum settings? What risk involve in metal cutting by plasma? Which metal cutting technique is better for CNC plasma project? This article will provide answers to all these questions and all the necessary information for CNC plasma project of metal cutting and substrate material.

Brief Explanation of Plasma Cutting Aluminum

Plasma cutting is a metal fabrication method that can conduct electricity like aluminum. This cutting method provides aluminum parts with high tolerance and accuracy. It is also said that aluminum is not recommended for plasma cutting because it has relatively low melting point. But the parts produced by this cutting method has high tolerance which is almost not possible by any other method. But there are also many important parameters and right plasma gas selection involve in getting good cutting result without damaging the aluminum part. This information will be discussed in this article.

Advantages of Plasma Cutting for Aluminum

CNC plasma aluminum has many advantages which are discussed below:

Precision and accuracy

Precision in CNC plasma aluminum depends on the thickness of plasma cut aluminum plate. While metal cutting, it is recommended to utilize sheet metal laser cutting for a precise cut. it creates narrow slots with precision of 0.0.1mm and larger slots up to 0.5 to 1mm. laser cutting has less precision when the thickness is high unlike in CNC plasma projects. Therefore, plasma cutting gives higher tolerance and accuracy for aluminum parts than laser cutting and oxy-fuel cutti

Aluminum plate thickness:1/8 in. or 1/4 in. and 1/2 in.

Plasma cutting offers higher range of thickness for aluminum than laser cutting and oxy-fuel cutting. Plasma cut aluminum plate and sheets can be up to 38mm or 1/8in, 1/4in and 1/2in while laser cut offer thickness up to 12.7mm

Minimal material distortion

High precision offers minimum material distortion in substrate material in CNC plasma cut for metal cutting. But it is best method for metal cutting other material cannot be cut by plasma cutting. Less thickened aluminum plate can give good cutting results by plasma cutting without being deformed or distorted as it is a ductile material.

High cutting speed

Plasma cutting offers high cutting speed as compared to laser cutting. As in laser cutting, increase in thickness can decrease its productivity and cutting speed. Unlike in plasma cutting, speed is higher with low and higher thickness aluminum plate. But results in both methods are dependent on thickness and type of metal.

Cost-effectiveness

Plasma cutting is cost-effective than laser cutting as it can complete project in $200 while laser cut can go up to $400-1600. Operational cost of plasma cutting is also less than laser cutting. It can cost up to $15/hr. while laser cut can cost $20/hr. other than these, cost of material and power, maintenance and machine replacement is also less in plasma cutting.