How to Select Plasma Welding Machines
Image Credit: Bug-O Systems | Wilead
Plasma welding machines melt areas with an arc and then use a high-velocity, high-temperature ionized gas to make welds. The process of plasma welding is used to bring better control to the arc welding process in lower current ranges. It provides an advanced level of control and accuracy in order to produce high quality welds in miniature or precision applications and to provide...
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Q & A on Plasma Welding Machines
We asked our users for their input on Plasma Welding Machines. Here are the results of 84 users familiar with Plasma Welding Machines.
Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying AdviceDesign TrendsTop
What new technologies are influencing plasma cutting and welding machine design?
10 answers
Have not seen enough to comment, most of the ones we have encountered are older models using transformer technology.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
CNC control, Smaller nozzles/arcs, Consumables last longer
~Engineering, Design, Doncaster, United Kingdom
Cutting other than flat stock Is.. Tube (round / square)
~Ron L, Home jobs hop (hobie), Northfield, MN
CNC plasma cutting pipe and square tube
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tavares, FL
Electronic devices and controllers
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Consistence output arc voltage.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Self contained power source
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
New transisters
~Manufacturing, LACOMBE, Canada
Inverter based
~Siva rama prasad K, Engineer, Vijayawada, India
All
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative plasma cutting and welding machines?
14 answers
I am leaning to SHOPSABOR that are a local MN Co.
~Ron L, Home jobs hop (hobie), Northfield, MN
Once again we have not seen enough to comment!
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Top line manufacturers but very expensive
~Manufacturing, LACOMBE, Canada
1. plasma technologies ltd -pune
~Siva rama prasad K, Engineer, Vijayawada, India
Hypertherm and thermal dynamics
~John F, Tooling engineer, Gallatin, MO
Thermo-dyne, Hyper-therm, ESAB
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Have never checked
~Engineering, Design, Doncaster, United Kingdom
Fonius / ESAB.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MILLER HOBART
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
Hypertherm
~Engineering, Faculty/Staff/Student, Tulsa, OK
Hypertherm
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Koike
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
MCI
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tavares, FL
All
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
Applications and UseTop
What are some of the applications you have used plasma cutting and welding machines for?
18 answers
Cutting: Mild Steel, Stainless steel, aluminum flat plate cutting, pipe cutting, bevel cutting. Welding: thin stainless steel
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
Cutting.- To make or fix stainless tanks and pipes, for quickly cutting iron or alloys. Welding.- To make chassis cars
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Cutting with 6 axis robots using air plasma to cut scrap frames from press drawn parts.
~John F, Tooling engineer, Gallatin, MO
Faster cutting of flat plate and cutting out profiles in steel for repairs.
~Engineering, Design, Doncaster, United Kingdom
Have not used one except for testing, and they are quite amazing.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Corrosion protection, cooling, weld anti-spatter
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
Cutting cr. mo. steel and welding steel plate.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Intricate & multiple duplicate cuts
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Modifying vehicles for the handicap
~Engineering, Other, Toronto, Canada
Architectural and civil works.
~Engineering, Design, Binan, Philippines
For stainless steel cutting
~Siva rama prasad K, Engineer, Vijayawada, India
Stormwater applications
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tavares, FL
Shipbuilding industry.
~Tore H, Design Engineer, Stord, Norway
Raw material cutting
~Engineering, Design, Pune, India
Horseshoeing
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
Just cutting
~Engineering, Consulting, Gibsonton, FL
Fabrication
~Juan antonio O, Builder/Contractor, Tampico, Mexico
Cutting
~Purchasing, Baljurashi, Saudi Arabia
Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that plasma cutting and welding machines have been used for.
9 answers
Gouging with a plasma cutter [very hard on the consumables though!]
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Pipe cutting at 45 degree hole and slot cutting.
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tavares, FL
Specialty horse shoes to treat lameness
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
Severed cutting and temporary weld.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hand craft.......
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Medical waste
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
DNA
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
Not for the moment.
~Tore H, Design Engineer, Stord, Norway
Have not had enough experience in the field to comment.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of plasma cutting and welding machines?
6 answers
Trying to cut steel that's "layered", or cutting without checking what's on the backside. I've seen some fires caused because the material was coated or there were "gaps" in the layered steel.
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
NEVER use on the skin.- hands or body, Will make a severe burn!!!! Check first around work area, clean and retire any flammable item; oil, wood, gas,...
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Loss of production efficiency and reputation.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Selecting a supplier who doesn't have quality.
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
Not so far.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Maintenance
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
FeaturesTop
What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?
12 answers
Make equipment with stainless......aluminum.....or special alloys: Tanks, Pipes,Structures, Kitchen, Exhaust systems, Food furniture
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Affordable, effective production, reasonable and effective system for spare parts and consumables.
~Tore H, Design Engineer, Stord, Norway
Automated material handling, clean cut- minimum finishing before next process step
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tavares, FL
For them to have basic circuitry diagrams for diagnostic testing purposes.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Compact machine small size for cutting thin sheet at low cost.
~Siva rama prasad K, Engineer, Vijayawada, India
Better moisture removal @ the machine on "portable" units.
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Stand alone torch height controls for a robot system.
~John F, Tooling engineer, Gallatin, MO
Rugged and simple setting.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Increase cutting speed
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
None at this time
~Ron L, Home jobs hop (hobie), Northfield, MN
Lower price point
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
More users
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of plasma cutting and welding machines?
8 answers
Trying to cut with the "rated" thickness is never a good idea! [see above] also, sometimes the old oxy/acet torch is still the way to go! If you're disassembling there usually isn't a need for a "pretty" cut.
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Check first how many pieces used for work.- consumables! some are very expensive
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Backup on spare / wear part and application optimisation on usage.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
You can buy a very nice welder for less than 700 dollars.
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
Look / research before buying.
~Ron L, Home jobs hop (hobie), Northfield, MN
Speak to users.
~Tore H, Design Engineer, Stord, Norway
Same as #8
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
As in 8.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Buying AdviceTop
Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using plasma cutting and welding machines?
7 answers
Again, I'm only familiar w/cutters. I would suggest buying a cutter that cuts 25% more than you think will be the thickest material you would cut.
~Marketing/Sales, BANGOR, ME
Be careful with the max capacity, air flow and SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS.
~Arturo Sierra Saw, Technical salesman, Puebla, Mexico
Contact PICO for specialty chemical products in their use.
~Richard P, Marketing/Sales, Chicago heights, IL
Do not buy cheap and nasty they give lots of problems.
~John B, Technical Support, Matsapha, Swaziland
Bigger isn't always better.
~CHRIS S, General Management, LAFAYETTE, NJ
Safety and durable unit.
~Steve Yeong, Welding application / process manager., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Quality
~Marketing/Sales, Ichikawa, Japan
