Plasma Cutting Machine Key Terms

Make the cut by understanding plasma cutting machine key terms

By Tara McClendon, Freelance Writer/Editor, Tara McClendon

Most manufacturers use universal plasma cutting machine key terms, which means that you will understand these terms even if you start working with one manufacturer and then change to another. While you won't need to learn every key term used in the industry, you can benefit from the terms that define parts of the machine, explain its functions and describe tools that are used with it.

Hand-held machine

Hand-held plasma cutting machines are ones you can use without mounting them to a table. Hand-held machines offer portable plasma cutting, and many rival the power available from plasma cutting tables.
Try: Miller Electric provides advice for selecting and operating a hand-held plasma cutter.

Plasma cutting tables

Plasma cutting tables are more than just a plasma cutter mounted to a table. Usually the entire table acts as a plasma cutting system, allowing you precise work for complex cuts. In many cases, plasma cutting tables integrate CNC technology.
Try: View a picture of a plasma cutting table for sale at TrackerCNC.com. The company highlights the features on the table.

CNC

Computer Numerical Control, better known as CNC, replaces part of the manual process of manufacturing with a computer-generated one. By using CNC, plasma cutting machines can increase the precision of complex cuts.
Try: CNC Concepts provides in-depth information about CNC and offers links to help you understand varying aspects of its role in plasma cutting.

High-frequency start

A plasma cutting machine will either initiate the pilot arc with a high-frequency start or a contact start. With a high-frequency start, the plasma cutter uses a system similar to a spark plug to ignite the arc.
Try: Applied Robotics explains the downfall of using a high-frequency start around electronic equipment and provides reasons why you might need to opt for a plasma cutter with a contact start.

Cutting speed

Manufacturers usually provide the cutting speed in the product specifications for a plasma cutting machine. The measurement, expressed in inches per minute (IPM) tells you how quickly the machine can cut a specific thickness.
Try: Lincoln Electric offers a detailed explanation of the cutting speed used by manufacturers.

Plasma torch

The plasma torch, or head, is the part of the plasma cutting machine that decides the performance and control of the system. There are different types of heads, each one with different pros and cons.
Try: Centricut compares different plasma torch heads and offers detailed pictures of the part.