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Can a plasma cutter cut wood and other materials aside from metal? The short answer is no because it cannot cut non-conductive materials.
However, in this post, we will look at what Cyrious Metal Works’ hypertherm plasma cutters can cut instead.
How Does Plasma Cutting Work?
Plasma cutters shoot electricity through compressed air. This ionizes the air with extra electrons and ignites a flame that will slice metal easily. The material literally melts, leaving a smooth, clean edge that seems professionally finished.
For the process to be effective, the material must conduct electricity so that the arc can pass through it. Otherwise, the material won’t react to the ionized gas, which is why non-metal materials usually do not work for plasma cutting.
Why Was Plasma Cutting Such a Revolutionary Process?
Plasma cutting emerged in the 1960s, so it is easy to take it for granted now. However, before this, fabricators had to use oxy-fuel or metal-on-metal cutting. Both techniques were dangerous because they created sparks and hot metal debris flying out to pose a safety risk.
You were also limited in what thicknesses you could cut through, whereas today’s plasma cutting machines slice surfaces inches wide as a warmup. Plasma cutting is less likely to produce sparks or metal shrapnel, making it safer and less wasteful. The edges also look cleaner and unscorched.
Types of Materials a Plasma Cutter Cuts
If a plasma cutter cannot cut wood, you may wonder why these tools are so popular. The short answer is that they are highly effective at cutting the following materials cleanly and quickly:
- Mild and stainless steel
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Ferrous materials
- Other conductive materials
The superheated steam cuts through each material surface like a hot knife through butter. You can also use this tool to create intricate patterns or blunt cuts, so all you need is imagination to come up with a whole new product range!
Can You Convert a CNC Plasma Cutter Table to a Routing Table?
As tempting as it is to save by converting a CNC plasma table into a router, it’s seldom helpful. The change requires a high level of technical expertise, and considering the cost of these machines, it isn’t worth the risks.
Contact the Experts in Plasma Cutters Today!
Can a plasma cutter cut aluminum as well as other metals? Of course, the newer plasma cutters are highly effective against aluminum. But now that you know what a plasma cutter can cut instead of wood, it’s time to look at getting one or upgrading your existing model.
Contact Cyrious Metal Works at (903) 623-6766 today to narrow down the choices and find the best plasma cutter for your needs and budget. Don’t forget to ask about our affordable financing options. And if you have other questions like “Can a plasma cutter cut wood?,” feel free to ask us!