Plasma Cutting

For a complete plasma arc cutting machine can be used torches, machines, devices and systems from different manufacturers.

The vast majority of power supplies for plasma cutting is working on a direct current straight polarity (for DC plasma torches, the highest efficiency of power). In some cases, for example, for aluminum and its alloys can be used alternating current.

Plasma cutting system should provide the greatest stability of the operating current for the voltage fluctuations, the performance of current control, modulating control, etc. They have a vertical or steeply dipping external current-voltage characteristic. This characteristic is usually formed by using thyristor controlled rectifier, choke saturation. For mechanized cutting power sources are used with a duration of (MF), as a rule, more than 70%.

TABLE. Equipment for automated plasma cutting (not devices to move the torch)

Mark	Appointment
Hypertherm Powermax 45, Powermax 1000, Powermax 1250, Powermax 1650	Small devices for handheld and mechanized plasma cutting and gouging metal in an environment of compressed air or nitrogen
APR-150 (Concern "Power Engineering"), APR-150K (FSC "Crystal"), APR 404, APR-404M	Settings for manual and mechanized air plasma cutting (for a complete set of machinery and CNC plasma cutting)
PURM-140-160 PURM, PURM-180MA, PURM-320VA, 400VA, PURM (LLC "Factor")
Energocut 320A, Energocut 400 (concern, "Power Engineering")
Cebora Prof70, Prof122, Prof162, 3100, 6060 / T, 9060 / T
Energocut 400VA (Concern "Power Engineering")	Installation for mechanized air plasma cutting (for a complete set of machinery and machine tools)
DSS-4011, DSS-4011-1 (PC 'Spectrum Plus ")	Installation of mechanized plasma cutting in an environment of compressed air or oxygen.Designed for a complete set of machinery and machine tools
Hypertherm HPR130, HPR130XD, HPR260, HPR260XD, HPR400XD	Multigas installation of mechanized plasma cutting (for a complete set of machinery and machine tools)

Installation of air-plasma cutting APR-150K, the APR and APR-404-404M are used for manual, mechanized or automated (in the portal machine), cutting of stainless steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and other metals and alloys.

Plasma cutting APR-150K (left), with a plasma torch and power for manual cutting (right) 

Plasma cutting APR-404 (left) and APR-404M (right)

TABLE. Technical characteristics of APR

Name	Plasma cutting
	APR-150K	APR-404	APR-404M
Supply Voltage (V)	380	380	380
Power consumption (kW)	45	125	125
Rated current (A) for the duration of (MF,%)	150 (100)	400 (100)	400 (100)
The range of current adjustment (A)	25–150	200–400	80–450
Method of control	smooth	smooth	smooth
Open circuit voltage (V)	300	300	300
Operating voltage (V)	150	260	260
The maximum thickness of the separating cut (mm)	35	100	100
Dimensions (length x width x height)	630x570x750	880x1040x1706	880x1040x1706
Weight (kg)	150	540	540

One well-known manufacturers of plasma cutting is an American company Hypertherm. It produces a wide range of devices and systems, including the installation of series multigas HSD, HT, and HPR, which can be used certain combinations of plasma and shielding gases.

Plasma cutting Hypertherm HPR130XD (left) and Hypertherm HPR260XD (right)

Plasma Hypertherm HPR400XD

TABLE. Technical characteristics of a series of installations Hypertherm HPR, intended for cutting materials from mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum

Name	Plasma cutting
	HPR130XD	HPR260XD	HPR400XD
Трехфазное напряжение на входе	200/208 V, 50/60 Hz 220 V, 50/60 Hz 240 V, 60 Hz 380 V, 50/60 Hz 400 V, 50/60 Hz 440 V, 60 Hz (50/60 Hz for HPR400XD) 480 , 60 Hz 600 V, 60 Hz
The output voltage	50-150 in DC	175 V  DC	200 V  DC
Operating cycle	100%	100% at 40 ° C at 45.5 kW	100% at 40 ° C at 80 kW
The range of current adjustment (A)	30–130	30–260	30–400
Used by the plasma gas	oxygen, nitrogen, air, a mixture of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen, a mixture of 65% argon and 35% hydrogen		oxygen, nitrogen, air, a mixture of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen, argon, a mixture of 65% argon and 35% hydrogen
The protective (optional) gas	oxygen, nitrogen, air		oxygen, nitrogen, air, argon
The maximum voltage of idling	311 in  DC	311 in  DC	360 V  DC
The thickness of the cutting of mild steel (mm)
no scale	16	32	38
working (burning)	32	38	50
Maximum (from edge)	38	64	80
The thickness of the cutting of stainless steel (mm)
working (burning)	20	32	45
Maximum (from edge)	25	50	80
Cutting thickness of aluminum (mm)
working (burning)	20	25	38
Maximum (from edge)	25	50	80
Dimensions (length x width x height)	1080x570x970	1190x820x1150	1260x880x1180
Weight with torch (kg)	317,5	567	851

Plasma Cutting System Hypertherm HPR400XD consists of the following sites:

power source (the source of plasma cutting);
radiator cooling;
system (console) Ignition of the arc;
Selection console;
Measuring the console;
plasmatron (plasma torch).

The power supply provides a constant current of 400 A and voltage of 200 V. It consists of electrical circuits responsible for the ignition of the plasma torch and the heat exchanger and pump cooling system. The power supply is equipped with a serial interface that provides communication with the controller machines.

Radiator is made up of the heat exchanger and pump, which reduces the temperature of the coolant flowing in the plasma torch. It also contains the flow and temperature sensors to ensure proper operation of the cooling system.

In the system (console) using the ignition spark gap assembly. On the console, ignition occurs transforming the control voltage 120 V AC power coming from a source in the high-frequency and high-voltage pulses (9-10 kV), with which there is a breakdown of the gap between the electrode and nozzle. High-frequency signal is paired with a wire cathode and a wire auxiliary arc.

With the console selection is the selection and mixing of the plasma gas. There are driving valves, solenoid valves and pressure transducers, as well as the control circuit board, relay circuit board and distribution board.

See also:
Plasma Cutters
Plasma Cutting Apparatus
Plasma Cutting Machines
Plasma Cutting
Plasma Welding