All plasma manufacturers include minimum air flow and pressure requirements for an air compressor in the owner’s manual. Beyond choosing the right size air compressor for your plasma cutter, it is critical that you ensure the air that reaches your plasma cutter is high quality air. When thinking about air quality, people only focus on the plasma cutter air compressor and do not consider what happens to the air after it leaves the compressor.
Plasma cutting is a way of efficiently cutting through metal, but you need an air compressor to do it properly, because it’s a two-stage process, and the compressed air will give you a clean cut during the second stage. Getting the best air compressor for your plasma cutting is not just theoretically important, or a cool addition to have – it’s crucial to the whole process. Relax – we have some of the best air compressors for plasma cutting right here.
So the 20-gallon air tank with a huge powerful v-shaped pump makes the air compressor heavy but the portable wheels of this air compressor can make your job easier and you can move this air compressor easily from here and there. So if you want a super-powerful air compressor with moderate plasma cutting tasks the let me tell you that this 30-gallon air compressor is one of the best options available in the market. Quincy is another best air compressor brand available in the market and this air compressor from Quincy comes with very high performable features and let me share with you that this is one of the best air compressors for plasma cutting operation.
The duty of the compressor is to provide the air a plasma cutter will need and the air filter or air dryer will make sure that the cutter is remaining dry. You should not bring an air compressor that holds an air pressure of 4 CFM when your plasma cutters also need 4 CFM air pressure. In order to extend the lifetime of an air compressor, it is recommended to use an air compressor that is about 1.5-2 times the requirement of a plasma cutter.
what air compressor for plasma cutter Related Question:
What size air compressor do I need to run a plasma cutter?
All plasma manufacturers include minimum air flow and pressure requirements for an air compressor in the owner’s manual. These requirements differ between systems, but as an example, an air compressor for a plasma cutter like the Hypertherm Powermax45® requires 6 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 90 psi.
How much air pressure does it take to run a plasma cutter?
To be precise, the air pressure required for a plasma cutter is about 4-8 SCFM at 90-120 PSI. This plasma cutter air pressure is a generalization for cutting steel between 3/8″ and 7/8″ thick.
What air do you need for plasma cutter?
Compressed Air is the most commonly used gas for lower current plasma cutting and works well for most metals from gauge thickness to 1 inch. It leaves an oxidized cut surface. Compressed air can also be used for plasma gouging on carbon steel.
Do you need compressed air for a plasma cutter?
The most commonly used plasma cutter gas type is air. Highly versatile and inexpensive, compressed air works well for lower current cutting and on most metals—mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum–from gauge sizes to one-inch thickness.
How thick of metal can a 50 amp plasma cutter cut?
This inverter plasma cutter has 50 amps of power on tap, able to cut up to 1/2-inch thick steel plate.
Can you use a plasma cutter to weld?
With the right torch design, a nitrogen-water injection, less expensive than other gases, can work well when plasma cutting aluminum and stainless material for subsequent welding. The process involves an electrode surrounded by nitrogen, which is heated by an electric arc to form the plasma.
Do you need oxygen for plasma cutter?
Gas is needed for a plasma cutter in order for it to work and create the plasma. As mentioned, the most popular gases to use are oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Some plasma cutter systems include multi-gas features so a variety of gases can be used for different applications.
How many amps does a plasma cutter use?
For 3/8” cut, 40 amps works out well for most brands of plasma cutters. For ½” cut, 50 amps works out well, etc. Keep in mind this isn’t the maximum thickness of cut that a plasma cutter is capable of cutting but rather, it is a good rule to follow for decent cutting speed and quality.
Can you use CO2 for plasma cutting?
CO2 also works well, slightly improving the finish, cutting speed, and parts life over the use of air. But CO2 costs more than air and requires multiple manifold gas cylinders or a bulk system to deliver adequate flow. Water is an excellent secondary to use with nitrogen plasma if the system allows it.
Do plasma cutters use air or gas?
Do plasma cutters use gas? Yes. All plasma cutting systems—including air plasma cutters—use gas.
Why do plasma cutters use air?
When using oxygen plasma, the air acts as a shielding gas. Oxygen can also be used on stainless steel and aluminum, but it produces a rougher cut surface.
Is SCFM the same as CFM?
SCFM and CFM are both essential values that indicate the airflow rate in a compressor. SCFM measures this value based on ‘ideal’ temperature and pressure conditions, while CFM measures the ‘actual’ air flow rate. CFM is the recognized value for measuring the airflow rate in the United States.
Will a plasma cutter cut rusty metal?
Plasma can cut any electrically conductive metal including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and more, without pre-heating. Plasma is also great at cutting painted, dirty or even rusted metal.
How thick can a 100 amp plasma cutter cut?
This is enough to sever metal up to 1-7/8 in. T when needed. For daily use, it works great for regularly cutting 1-1/4 in. T plate metal and when called upon, makes a clean cut up to 1-1/2 in.
Can you cut wood with a plasma cutter?
Plastics and wood are not electrically conductive and cannot be plasma cut. However, you can use a rotary saw, router, or other tool if you want to cut these materials in the PlasmaCAM machine.
