PLASMA CUTTING

Choosing a plasma cutter can be tricky here a few tips on what to look out for;

-Maximum required cut 

-Available electrical input

-How often you will use it 

Your requirements will be determined bu how often you are using the machine, if you are using the machine for extended periods of time you will need to ensure the machine has a good duty cycle. Maximum cut capacity is how thick the material can be for the plasma cutting machine to execute a clean cut. For example the Hypertherm Powermax 45XP Plasma Cutter 415 Volt severs up to 29mm. Therefore if you are aware of the thickness of the material you're cutting you can determine which plasma cutter you need. Available electrical supply can either be single or three phase which will determine the machine you purchase, generally speaking, Three phase machines often have a higher cut capacity. 

Hypertherm's insistence on continuous product development, technical back up and training for sales and service staff alike, means Hypertherm are an extremely potent business partner.

From the Powermax range of machines to the high end mechanised models, they have the world of plasma cutting at their feet.

Our Hypertherm consumable range covers every Powermax plasma cutting spare requirement- be sure to buy the genuine article as accurancy of cut & longevity of the consumables are important cost factors. In recent times, Hypertherm introduced Consumable kits as an added value product- they offer economies of scale, the ability to cut at different amperages and disciplined storage.

We have always sold & supported CNC plasma cutters and in 2016 we agreed a partnership with Dutch manufacturer ACT Machinery to market & support their range of plasma cutting tables in the UK. 

Plasma cutting is a process that is used to cut many different types of metal using a plasma torch. In this process compressed air is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through the air from the nozzle to the surface being cut turning some of that air to plasma. The plasma cutter is sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut.

The main advantages of Plasma over older cutting methods such as Oxy/Fuel is it's quicker, cleaner, safer, requires no pre-heating, and it only uses compressed air which can be provided from an everyday workshop compressor. The metal being cut doesn't have to be clean as plasma will cut neatly through rust, mud and paint, plus it can also cut through multiple layers in one go.

At Foster Industrial we have the complete range of Hypertherm plasma cutters in stock. Whether you want to cut 5mm or 60mm, we have the machine to do the job, and you can now try before you buy in our live demonstration area.