This process relies on the use of a concentrated arc which melts the base material due to a beam of plasma at high temperature. With plasmas, any conductive material can be cut. The cutting systems are equipped with units ranging from 20 to 1000 amperes, from 0.5 to 160 mm for thicknesses. The gases used in this cutting process can be compressed air, nitrogen, oxygen or argon-hydrogen. The basic materials include carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum, copper and other metals. For all the materials the modern technology is used, involving electrical conductors both to structures in stainless steels and non ferrous metals. Particularly, it consists of:
- Low distortion of materials due to the concentrated arc;
- High cutting speeds (5-7 times higher than traditional flame cutting);
- Thicknesses from 0.5 to 160 mm with plasma currents up to 1000 amperes;
- Cuts efficient for thicknesses up to 30 mm in vertical;
- The quality achievable is higher beam plasma.