To properly explain how a plasma cutter works, we must first answer the basic question, "What is plasma?" Simply put, plasma is the fourth state of matter. We usually think of matter as having three states: solid, liquid, and gaseous. Matter changes from one state to another through the introduction of energy such as heat. If the heat levels are significant, the gases become ionized and electrically conductive, i.e. plasma. Plasma arc formation begins when a gas such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon is injected through a small nozzle orifice inside the torch.
Plasma cutting relies on the use of electrically ionized gas to transfer energy from a power source to any conductive material, resulting in a cleaner and faster cutting process is obtained than an oxy-fuel cutter. Due to its high speed, precision, combined with low operating costs, plasma cutting is widely used using large-scale industrial CNC machines down to small manual plasma cutting machines. Plasma cutters are a high-precision method for cutting most types of metal and thicknesses.
Typical materials for which plasma cutting is used are carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and copper, although other conductive metals can be cut. Plasma cutting is used both for the implementation of large projects and individual orders, car repairs, industrial construction and other tasks.
