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The plasma-arc process had its
origin almost 50 years ago, during the height of World War II. In an effort to
improve the joining of aircraft materials, a method of welding was developed that used a
protective barrier of inert gas around an electric arc to protect the weld from oxidation.
Over the course of the next couple of decades, it was discovered that by restricting the
opening through which the inert gas passed, the heat produced by the process was greatly
increased. At the same time, the smaller opening caused the flow of gas to speed up
dramatically, ultimately blowing out a channel in the work.
The plasma-arc cutting process started seeing commercial use in the first few years of the
sixties. It was an extremely expensive process to undertake, and most cutting was
performed by large burning services that used their systems continuously to help amortize
the equipment.
In the ensuing years, various manufacturers have realized the enormous benefit even small
shop owners could derive from being able to burn both ferous and non-ferrous metals.
Today, dozens of manufacturers offer portable plasma cutters -- some so light they
can be carried with little effort. Units are starting to appear with built-in air
compressors that make the whole operation fully mobile.
Most, if not all, of the light portable plasma cutters are 110 volt machines that are
suited primarily for cutting sheetmetal and other light work. The next level up are
the 220 volt machines with 50 to 80 amp output current. These are portable from the
standpoint that one person can put it on a truck and take it to the job.
We hope you enjoy our site, and would appreciate your comments and suggestions. You
can reach us by e-mail at sales@torchmate.com
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Applied
Robotics, Inc.
108 Jordan Taylor Ln.
Harwood, MD 20776
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