Wilson Plasma Art

Plasma cutters work by sending an electric arc through a gas that is passing through a
constricted opening. The gas can be shop air, nitrogen, argon, oxygen. etc.

This elevates the temperature of the gas to the point that it enters a 4th state of matter.
We all are familiar with the first three: i.e., solid, liquid, and gas. Scientists call this
additional state plasma. As the metal being cut is part of the circuit, the electrical
conductivity of the plasma causes the arc to transfer to the work.

The restricted opening (nozzle) the gas passes through causes it to sqeeze by at a high
speed, like air passing through a venturi in a carburetor. This high speed gas cuts through
the molten metal. The gas is also directed around the perimeter of the cutting area to
shield the cut.

In many of today's better plasma cutters, a pilot arc between the electrode and nozzle is
used to ionize the gas and initially generate the plasma prior to the arc transfer.

Other methods that have been used are touching the torch tip to the work to create a
spark, and the use of a high-frequency starting circuit (like a spark plug). Neither of these
latter two methods is compatible with Plasma Cutter (automated) cutting.

Wilson Plasma Art uses an HD Plasma Cutter for our jobs. We can
make just about anything you want, ranging from your Company logo,
Trailer Hitch Covers & even Wallart. Just e-mail us a picture or drawing
of what you want and we'll happily get started. We can use various kinds
of metals like Stainless Steel, Steel, Copper, Aluminum etc.