There are many ways to cut metal. At the same time, plasma cutting is one of the most popular. Using this technology, you can cut a variety of metals and alloys. Plasma cutting equipment is used today in many industries. Very often, its design includes such a modern addition as CNC.
Basic structural elements
Modern CNC plasma cutting machines are highly productive. However, they have a not too complicated design. The main elements of such machines are:
- plasmatron with gas supply system;
- burner height control system;
- Desktop;
- CNC system.
Sometimes in such machines only one plasmatron is used, and sometimes several.
Types of machines
Plants typically use CNC stationary machines for plasma cutting. There are also portable machines of this type. Such machines are also often equipped with CNC systems. Stationary models, in turn, are divided into:
- portal
- articulated;
- cantilever.
The second variety is intended only for vertical plasma cutting.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of such equipment as CNC plasma cutting machines include, first of all, high precision cutting. The computer controls the burner of such a machine. That is, the probability of deviation from the trajectory of the working tool specified by the program is reduced to zero. On machines of this type, you can perform cuts of any, even the most complex configuration.
Another undoubted advantage of this equipment is that the ends of the cut blanks remain very clean. This means that their additional processing is not necessary. Safety in use is another plus of this equipment. In such a machine there are no elements that are under high voltage.
Machines for plasma cutting of metal have practically no drawbacks. The only thing - they can not be used for cutting too thick sheets. For example, they are not used for work with high alloy steel with a thickness of more than 10 cm. Also, titanium is not cut on plasma machines.
Types and specifications of plasmatrons
This element is the main one in such equipment as CNC plasma cutting machines. When choosing a plasma torch, they usually pay attention to such characteristics as:
- Type of plasma gas. The most economical machines are those that are cut using air. This equipment is used for cutting steel, aluminum or copper billets. In the event that the highest quality cut is needed, oxygen plasmatrons are used. Also, sometimes enterprises use argon burners or a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen.
- Speed and positioning accuracy.
- Type of cooling gas. This is usually air. Sometimes in equipment of this type, cooling can be carried out using carbon dioxide.
- Type of current. Industrial equipment of this type often works on a permanent basis. But there are models that operate on a variable.
- Cutting speed.
What is TNS
Machine tools for plasma cutting of metal with CNC assembly must be equipped including TNS. The burner height control system is designed to control the drive lowering / raising the working tool during the cutting process. This unit operates using arc voltage. Control over the distance to the surface of the workpiece is carried out using sensors.
What can be the characteristics of the machine table
This design element of a plasma cutting machine consists of several sections. The sizes of the latter may vary. Most often, tables from sections 50 x 50 cm are used in production. Part processing can be performed only on one or several such parts. This makes it easy to get rid of waste generated during the cutting process. Under the table is a special system for removing metal particles and smoke.
In addition, the CNC plasma cutting machine is equipped with special dustproof pneumatics. Its main purpose is to capture metal aerosols formed during cutting. In tables longer than 2.5 m, the smoke exhaust system is double-sided.
CNC system: characteristics
The CNC controls the gas supply and the movement of the burner in equipment such as machines designed for modern cutting (plasma). CNC sheet metal cutting is of high quality. The main characteristics of such a system are: monitor diagonal, user-friendly interface, type of software used. The first figure in CNC plasma cutting machines usually varies between 15-19 inches. The software in such machines is most often used quite complicated. Modern CNC programs allow you to lay parts on the table in the optimal mode, easily make various kinds of calculations (time required for processing, number of parts, etc.), prepare reports, etc. One of the important characteristics of the software is the availability of correct Russian translation.
Machine tools for plasma cutting of metal: technical characteristics of modern models
Thus, equipment of this type can vary in a variety of ways. Below for clarity, we present you a table with the technical characteristics of two very popular machines. Both of them belong to the group of portal, most often used in enterprises.
Parameter | Value for: |
Avtom-3 (for cutting pipes) | SC "Start 15-30" (for cutting sheets) |
Cutting range (width / length) | 2000/6000 mm | 1520/3010 mm |
Cutting tool | Plasma torch, gas cutting torch | Plasma torch |
Positioning accuracy | 0.5 mm | 0.3 mm |
Cutting speed | Gas - up to 750, plasma - up to 6000 mm / min | 400-4000 mm / min |
When choosing an aggregate of this variety, among other things, you should pay attention to the permissible thickness of workpieces from one or another type of metal. The most popular at the moment are plasma cutting machines designed for cutting steel up to 38-40 mm thick.
Is it possible to make a CNC plasma cutting machine for metal yourself?
Since such equipment is very expensive, many home craftsmen are interested in whether it is possible to assemble it yourself. In general, such an assembly itself, as already mentioned, does not differ in complexity of design. To make a table and other elements of such a machine is not likely to be very difficult. The difficulty in this case lies in the assembly of the plasmatron itself. Without certain knowledge and skills, such an element of construction is almost impossible to do. However, if desired, a plasmatron can be purchased separately. All that will need to be done in this case is to assemble a gas supply system. CNC is also commercially available.
The capabilities of equipment such as CNC plasma cutting machines are directly dependent on their technical characteristics. When buying this kind of equipment, first of all, they look at such parameters as positioning and cutting accuracy, table type, etc. The characteristics of the plasma torch itself are also very important. However, since in most machines this working tool can change, its parameters are not determining.