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This section provides an overview for plasma cutting services as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 plasma cutting service companies and their company rankings.
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A plasma cutting service is a method of melting and cutting metal by generating a plasma discharge between the metal of the workpiece and a tungsten electrode and then using a high-heat plasma stream to melt and cut the metal.
The surface temperature of the workpiece sprayed with a plasma discharge, or plasma jet, can reach 20,000°C, making it possible to cut any type of metal. Since the area around the plasma jet also becomes hot, it is common to cool the nozzle with cooling water.
Plasma cutting service is mainly used for fusing stainless steel and aluminum alloys, which are difficult to fuse with gas, and is also used for high-speed cutting of mild steel. In principle, it can cut almost all metals and some non-metallic materials. In practice, however, it is widely used for mild steel plates ranging from thin sheets to 30 mm.
Among the most common uses are steel cutting in the construction industry, in the manufacture of special vehicles such as trucks, forklifts, and hydraulic excavators, in plant facilities such as power plants and port cranes, and in railroads, bridges, and ships.
The higher the temperature of a substance, the more it changes state from solid to liquid and from liquid to gas. As the temperature of a gas increases further, the atoms of the gas separate into free electrons and ions, becoming an ionized gas. The electrons are then freed from their atomic orbits and change into plasma, which is called the fourth state of matter.
Plasma discharge is generated by a plasma arc discharge between the workpiece and a tungsten carbide electrode. The arc discharge causes the workpiece to melt at high temperature.
To further increase the density of the plasma arc, the arc is restrained and cooled by water-cooling nozzles. The plasma arc is then constricted so that the energy is no longer spread around and can be concentrated on a single point.
There are various methods of plasma cutting service, depending on the type of gas that envelops the plasma discharge emitted from the electrode.
This cutting service uses air as the plasma jet. This is the latest plasma cutting service, and many compact devices have been developed. Small plasma cutting services for personal DIY use are available.
This cutting service uses oxygen as a plasma jet. Since plasma cutting service uses plasma discharge and the heat of combustion of oxygen, it is possible to cut with very high energy. It is used for steel cutting by high-speed automatic cutting equipment, especially for cutting steel materials used in bridges and shipbuilding.
This cutting method uses a mixture of hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen gases. The metal surface becomes beautiful with metallic luster because of the reduction effect of hydrogen. This method is mainly used for cutting nonferrous metals.
This is the oldest cutting method that uses nitrogen as a plasma cutting service. Due to the generation of nitrogen oxides caused by the gas used, this method has been used less frequently in recent years and has been replaced by oxygen-plasma cutting.
Processing of a Wide Variety of Materials Is Possible
Plasma cutting service can be performed on almost any material that can be energized. It is most commonly used for cutting mild steel sheets from thin sheets to 30 mm.
Curved Lines Can Be Cut
Plasma cutting service is capable of cutting not only straight lines but also curves, and can be used for complex and diverse product shapes.
Capable of Cutting Stainless Steel and Aluminum Alloys
Gas cutting is a method of cutting by oxidizing metals, and stainless steel and aluminum alloys are difficult to cut because they do not oxidize easily. Plasma cutting service enables easy cutting.
High Cutting Speed
Since high-temperature plasma is used as the heat source, the cutting speed is faster than that of gas or laser cutting. In addition, deformation of the cutting surface is reduced and the effects of melting are minimized.
Low Running Cost
Flammable gas is not required as in gas cutting, and a 200 V power supply and air compressor are all that is needed. Tungsten carbide used for electric discharge is non-consumable.
Requires a 200 v Power Supply
It is not suitable for outdoor locations where there is no 200 V power supply nearby or where only 100 V power is distributed.
Slag Treatment Is Required
In plasma cutting service, it is necessary to dispose of the slag that comes out of the molten part. If slag remains in the equipment, it will cause errors in the next operation and greatly affect product quality.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Remaly Manufacturing Co., founded in 1865, is a manufacturer in the metal perforating and fabrication industry based in Pennsylvania, USA. The company's product range encompasses perforated metals, expanded metals, and fabrication services. The company specializes in creating perforated metal sheets with precise patterns of holes. These sheets are applied in architecture, filtration, and machinery industries. The company's expanded metal sheets are used in fencing, walkways, and industrial applications. Additionally, the company provides tailored solutions, working closely with clients to meet exact specifications.
Accurate Metal Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of custom plate and steel products and services that was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The company custom manufactures steel sheet and plate products, along with offering steel processing services like oxyfuel flame cutting, plasma cutting, heat treating, Blanchard grinding, and abrasive blasting. These products and services are utilized by diverse industries including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. The company also offers a wide range of services, including design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing.
Xometry is an American AI-driven B2B platform of custom parts and assemblies, with minor operations as a contract manufacturer that was originally established as NextLine Manufacturing Corp. before its rebrand in 2015. Based in North Bethesda, Maryland, the company connects manufacturers and buyers via a range of services including instant quoting and a web database. They also offer sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and die casting services for rapid prototyping or high-volume production projects. Xometry chiefly serves clients in the defense, robotics, aerospace, and automotive sectors, including BMW, Bosch, and NASA.
California Steel Services is a steel processing and distribution company based in Fontana, California, USA. It was established in 1983 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California, USA. The company provides custom metal products including Steel Plates and Sheets, Formed Steel, Products, Plasma Cutting for Steel and Steel Flat Bars. Its services include steel fabrication, steel erection, and steel machining. Its products are used by several industries, as diverse as commercial construction, industrial, and government. The company offers many other services, including levelling, forming, slitting, equalizing and laser cutting as well as plasma cutting and flat bar lining.
COREMARK Metals is a metals distributor that was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, USA. The company, which stocks over 12,000 prime materials, provides metals such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and brass in different grades, shapes, and sizes. Its hardware department supplies products that include, abrasives, d-rings, fasteners, hand tools and power tools. Coremark’s products find application in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive. The company also offers services, including shearing, forming and welding, HD plasma, flame and tube laser cutting, machining and aluminum plate sawing.
Emachineshop is a manufacturer of custom parts that is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey and was founded in 1999. The company offers CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and 3D printing, which is also used to accompany the prototyping and production offered. The CNC machining services of the company uses CNC milling, turning, waterjet cutting, and laser cutting. Whilst, the sheet metal fabrication services include plasma cutting and laser cutting. Markets served by the company include the automobiles, gears, motorcycles, mechanisms, and the medical industry.
Bob's Welding, Machining, & Fabrication, Inc. is a manufacturer for metal fabrication headquartered in Anaheim, California and was established in 1936. The company offers metal welding, fabrication and repair, and machining. CNC plasma cutting, forming, and shearing is also provided by the company to work with wide ranges such as from furniture to heavy-duty frames. Mobile welding services offered by the company are also catered by the company to serve on-side welding requirements.
Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
9 | 100.0% |
