Plasma Cutting
Benefits
- Fast cutting speeds and strong productivity
- Works on steel, stainless, and aluminum
- Great for medium thicknesses (typ. 3–40 mm, process-dependent)
- CNC accuracy with repeatable kerf width
- Bevel and marking capabilities
- Lower operating cost than laser on thicker sheets
- Good edge quality with minimal post-processing
- Handles painted or slightly rusted surfaces better than laser
- Reliable option for industrial fabrication
About This Service
Plasma cutting is a modern and versatile thermal cutting method designed specifically for conductive metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. At its core, the process relies on an electrically ionized gas stream that heats and melts the material, while the high-velocity plasma jet blows the molten metal away. This results in fast cutting speeds and consistent productivity, making it a reliable solution for medium thickness ranges that typically fall between 3 mm and 40 mm, depending on the equipment and process setup.
Compared to traditional oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting excels in its ability to process a wider range of conductive metals and offers much higher precision on thinner and medium plates. It is particularly useful for industries that require frequent cutting of stainless steel and aluminum, materials that are difficult or impossible to cut economically with oxy-fuel. Plasma cutting provides clean, precise kerf widths with minimal dross formation, often eliminating or significantly reducing the need for secondary finishing operations.
With CNC integration, plasma systems can execute complex geometries, detailed slotting, bevels, and intricate contouring with a high degree of repeatability. This makes it an ideal choice for manufacturers in HVAC, automotive, agricultural machinery, and general fabrication industries. CNC control not only ensures dimensional accuracy but also allows for nesting optimization, reducing material waste and improving operational efficiency. This flexibility means fabricators can produce both small-batch custom parts and high-volume production runs with the same system.
Another advantage of plasma cutting is its tolerance for less-than-ideal surface conditions. Painted, slightly rusted, or scaled surfaces that might interfere with laser cutting can often be handled effectively with plasma. The process provides a good balance between quality and cost-efficiency, bridging the gap between laser precision and oxy-fuel economy. For fabricators seeking high productivity, flexibility, and strong return on investment, plasma cutting continues to stand out as an indispensable solution.