We collect homemade plasma cutter

The plasma cutting apparatus is a rather demanded equipment, allowing to produce cutting of any metals in many areas of production. Plasma cutters are used not only in enterprises. Recently, they began to appear in home workshops. But, since almost every workshop already has welding machines, it would be wiser not to buy a ready-made plasma cutter, but to make it from an inverter with your own hands.

What is plazmorez for

In some cases, the plasma cutter is an indispensable tool for processing metal products, since the temperature of the plasma coming out of its torch reaches 25-30 thousand degrees. Due to such characteristics, the scope of application of plasma cutters is quite extensive:

• production of various kinds of metal structures;
• laying of pipelines;
• fast cutting of any metals, including high-alloy heat-resistant steelscontaining titanium, nickel and molybdenum, the melting point of which is higher than 3000 ° C;
• figured cutting of thin-sheet materials (conducting) thanks to high precision of a cut.

In addition, plasma cutters (as an alternative to laser cutters) are used as part of automatic lines at large enterprises for cutting parts of various configurations from sheet materials.

It is necessary to distinguish such concepts as plasma cutting and plasma welding. The latter is available only on expensive, professional equipment, the cost of which starts from 100 thousand rubles.

Inverter or transformer

There are various methods, as well as drawings and diagrams, according to which a plasma cutter can be made. For example, if it is made on the basis of a transformer welder, then a plazmorez scheme, provided below, will be suitable, detailing which parts are needed to make this module.

If you already have an inverter, then in order to convert it into a plasma cutter, you will need a little refinement, namely to add an oscillator to the circuit diagram of the device. It connects between the inverter and the plasma torch in two ways, as shown in the following figure.

The oscillator can be soldered independently according to the scheme provided below.

If you make a plasma cutter yourself, then choosing a transformer as a current source is not recommended for several reasons:

• unit consumes a lot of electricity;
• The transformer is heavy and inconvenient to transport.

Despite this, the welding transformer has positive qualities, for example, insensitivity to voltage drops. They can also cut a thick metal.

But Advantages of a plasma inverter cutting machine in front of the transformer unit there are:

• low weight;
• high efficiency (higher by 30% than the transformer);
• low electricity consumption;
• high-quality cutting due to a more stable arc.

Therefore, it is preferable to make a plasma cutter from a welding inverter than from a transformer.

Typical design of the plasma cutter

In order to assemble an apparatus, thanks to which air-plasma cutting of metals will be possible, it will be necessary to have the following components available.

1. Power supply. Required for applying to the electrode torch electric current. The power source can be either a transformer (welding), producing alternating current, or an inverter-type welding unit, at the output of which a direct current is observed. Based on the foregoing, it is preferable to use an inverter, and with the function of argon welding. In this case, it will have a connector for connecting the hose package and a space for connecting the gas hose, which will simplify the reworking of the device.
   

2. Plasma torch (cutter). It is a very important piece of equipment that has a complex structure. In the plasma torch a plasma jet is formed under the influence of electric current and directional air flow. If you decide to collect plazmorez with your own hands, then this element should be purchased in finished form, on Chinese sites.
   
3. Oscillator. Required for effective ignition of the arc and its stabilization. As mentioned above, it is soldered according to a simple scheme.But if you are not strong in the radio industry, then this module can be bought in China for 1400 rubles.
   
4. Compressor. Designed to create air flow entering the burner. Thanks to him, the plasma torch is cooled, the plasma temperature rises and the molten metal is blown away from the place of the cut on the workpiece. For homemade fit any compressor, which is usually connected to the spray gun. But in order to remove water vapor from the air blown by the compressor, it will be necessary to install a filter drier.
   
5. Cable hose. Through it, a current flows into the burner, promoting the ignition of the electric arc and the ionization of gases. Also through this hose compressed air is supplied to the burner. The cable hose can be made independently by placing an electrical cable and an oxygen hose inside, for example, a water hose of a suitable diameter. But it is still better to buy a ready hose package, which will have all the elements for connecting to the plasma torch and to the unit.
   
6. Ground cable. It has a clip at the end for attaching to the metal being processed.

Assembly apparatus

After all the necessary elements have been prepared, you can proceed to the assembly of the plasma cutter:

• connect a hose to the inverter through which air will be supplied from the compressor;
• connect a hose package and a ground cable to the front side of the inverter;
• Connect the torch (plasma torch) to the hose package.

After assembling all the elements you can proceed to testing equipment. To do this, connect the ground cable to the part or to the metal table on which it is placed. Turn on the compressor and wait until it pumps the required amount of air into the receiver. After the compressor is automatically turned off, turn on the inverter. Bring the torch close to the metal and press the start button so that an electric arc appears between the torch electrode and the workpiece. Under the influence of oxygen, it will turn into a plasma flow, and metal cutting will begin.

Tips for operating a homemade plasmores

In order for a home-made plasma cutter from a welding inverter to work efficiently and for a long time, one should heed the advice of experts related to the operation of the device.

1. It is recommended to have a certain number of gasketswhich are used to connect hoses.Especially their presence should be checked when it is necessary to transport the unit frequently. In some cases, the lack of the required gasket will make using the machine impossible.
2. Since the torch nozzle is exposed to high temperatures, it eventually wears out and fails. Therefore, you should worry in advance about purchasing spare nozzles.
3. Selecting components for plazmorez, you should consider how much power you want to get the unit. First of all it concerns the choice of a suitable inverter.
4. When choosing an electrode for a burner, if you make it yourself, you need to give preference to such material as hafnium. This material does not emit harmful substances during the heating process. But still it is strongly recommended to use ready-made cutters manufactured at the factory, in which all the parameters for the turbulence of the air flow are observed. Homemade plasmatron does not guarantee high-quality cutting and quickly fails.

As for the safety rules, the work should be carried out in special clothing that protects against splashes of hot metal. Also, to protect your eyes, you should wear welding glasses "chameleons".