| Everyone must have heard about the plasma cutter | | | | plasma manages to cut up to five times faster than |
| and its usages in the automotive service industry. But | | | | traditional cutters without relying on highly flammable |
| many are not completely familiar with the equipment, | | | | gases. The plasma cutters are really capable of |
| its features and advantages are really important for | | | | cutting metals quickly and accurately. |
| the perfect repairing of your automobiles. To begin | | | | They are generally available in three main types. The |
| with, plasma cutters are equipments which can pass | | | | compact type is small and portable but has high |
| through ferrous metals smoothly. Basically, plasma is | | | | powers. The portable nature makes it easy for onsite |
| regarded as the fourth state of matter. It is an ionized | | | | repairs and they run off at a standard 120V AC outlet. |
| gas into which plenty of energy is provided so that | | | | They are capable of cutting everything from aluminum |
| electrons are separated from atoms and there would | | | | and stainless steel to carbon steel with ease. The |
| be room for both ions and electrons to coexist. Huge | | | | compact type removes spot welds instantly. The |
| amounts of energy are released when the free | | | | second type is known as Low Amp plasma cutters |
| moving electrons collide with other electrons and ions. | | | | that run off at either 120 or 230V outlets. They are |
| This energy is used to cut the metals. Precisely, | | | | similar to MIG welders and cuts stainless, carbon steel, |
| plasma is obtained if a gas is boosted to extremely | | | | aluminum and also remove spot welds. The third type |
| high temperature. | | | | known as the High Amp styles runs upwards of 85 |
| In a plasma cutter, the pressurized gas passes through | | | | amps. These types are generally stationery |
| a small channel to the cutting nozzle. There is a | | | | automotive service equipment. They are ideal for the |
| negatively charged electrode in the center of the | | | | most intense, industrial situations like fabrication, |
| channel. When power is supplied, a powerful spark is | | | | maintenance, and other heavy-duty applications. |
| produced as the negatively charged electrode through | | | | Some kind of precautionary measures are always |
| the tip of the nozzle comes in contact with the | | | | taken while handling since it deals with high voltages. |
| positively charged metal. This spark heats the gas | | | | The electric shock is fatal as the work piece and |
| which is passing through the channel and creates | | | | everything around is in the electric circuit. Moreover the |
| plasma. The plasma temperature could possibly be | | | | plasma cutter's output voltages are very high. It has |
| 30,000 degree Fahrenheit which enables it to cut | | | | been advised that one should wear insulated gloves |
| almost anything. | | | | and boots, and keep the body and clothing dry during |
| The main advantage of using a plasma cutter is that | | | | plasma cutting operations. Proper ventilation is needed |
| the surfaces of the metal outside the cutting area | | | | during plasma cutting as it may produce toxic fumes. |
| remains moderately cool thereby preventing the | | | | If you take necessary precautions, the plasma cutters |
| distortion and paint damage that usually occur with | | | | can be utilized for automotive repairing process without |
| other flame cutters. Yet another benefit is that the | | | | fear. |