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Plasma arc cutting services

Plasma arc cutting services at Midwest Metal Fabrication.

Plasma arc cutting is a metal cutting process that uses a high temperature, high velocity stream of ionized gas to melt and blow metal from the line of cut.

To view details about our plasma arc cutting services, please select one of the links below:

• Plasma arc cutting overview
• Applications
• Bed size
• Materials
• Gauge/thickness
• Minimum/maximum workpiece size
• Length
• Speed
• Coil weight / sheet
• Dimensional tolerance
• Fluid beds used
• Fluids used
• Limitations
• Types

Plasma arc cutting overview

Midwest Metal Fabricator’s uses computerized cutting programs to cut metal sheet and light plate to shape in preparation for other fabrication processes or prior to assembly. We utilize part nesting programs to optimize cutting time and material usage. We are capable of cutting two identical parts or components simultaneously from same sheet of material since our plasma arc cutting machine has two cutting heads. Plasma arc cutting is often the first step in the fabrication process.

Applications

We use plasma arc cutting for all applications which require ¼” steel cutting or less.

Bed size

Midwest Metal Fabrication‘s plasma arc cutter has a bed of 40’ x 18’.

Materials

We use plasma arc cutting to typically cut mild steel and high strength steels.

Thickness

Midwest Metal Fabrication‘s plasma arc cutter can cut steel up to a ¼” thick.

Minimum/maximum workpiece size

We can handle parts as big as our plasma arc cutting machine table which is 40’ long x 18’ wide, so there is no minimum part size or maximum part size unless the part or component being cut exceeds the dimensions of our cutting table.

Length

The length of our plasma arc cutting table is 40’.

Width

The width of our plasma arc cutting table is 18’.

Speed

Midwest Metal Fabrication maximum cutting speed is 249 inches / minute using plasma and 35 inches per minute using gas.

Sheet weight

Midwest Metal Fabrication can plasma arc cut a sheet of steel weighing up to 2 tons!

Dimensional tolerance

Midwest Metal Fabrication can plasma arc cut parts or components with a dimensional tolerance requirement of +/-1/16 of an inch.

Fluid bed used

Midwest Metal Fabrication uses a fluid bed in its plasma arc cutting process to minimize and control heat stress on the workpiece.

Fluids used

We use water as the cooling fluid in our plasma arc cutting process.

Limitations

Midwest Metal Fabrication is limited to plasma arc cutting steels with a maximum thickness of a ¼”. Midwest Metal Fabrication will not plasma arc cut galvanized or precoated steels.

Types

Midwest Metal Fabrication uses plasma jet cutting during which the plasma jet is generated by conventional "dry" arc constriction techniques. This process was introduced in 1957 by Union Carbide's Linde Division. In the same year, Dr. Robert Gage obtained a patent, which for 17 years gave Union Carbide a virtual monopoly. This plasma jet cutting technique can be used to sever any metal at relatively high cutting speeds. The thickness of a plate can range from thin sheet metal to plates as thick as ten inches (250 mm).

The cut thickness is ultimately dependent on the current-carrying capacity of the torch and the physical properties of the metal. A heavy-duty mechanized torch with a current capacity of 1000 amps can cut through 10-inch thick stainless steel and aluminium. However, in most industrial applications, plate thickness seldom exceeds two inches. In this thickness range, conventional plasma cuts are usually bevelled and have a rounded top edge. Bevelled cuts are a result of an imbalance in the heat input into the cut face. A positive cut angle results because the heat energy at the top of the cut dissipates as the arc progresses through the cut.

Common Plasma Arc Cutting Speeds (Inches Per Minute)

Plasma Arc Cutting: Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide Robert H. Todd, Dell K. Allen, and Leo Halting, p. 193.

Call us today at 1-219-931-3131, email us at sales@midwestmetalfabrication.com, or send a fax using 1-219-844-8512 to get a quick quote to help solve your heavy gauge steel fabricating problems.

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