Metal cutting is an essential process for most metal processing. For CNC lathe machining, there are two types of CNC cutting services: CNC Flame cutting and CNC plasma cutting. In this paper, we will introduce the characteristics of plasma cutting by comparing it with flame cutting.

Both CNC flame cutting and CNC plasma cutting take advantage of digital motion to control the system, through processing programs in the system or into the processing files or graphics, combined with the stepper or servo motor driver, drive the stepper or servo motor to control the processing axis of the machine tool to achieve movement. It can realize the processing technology of flame and plasma cutting, cutting the required metal shape through combustible gas or plasma arc.

CNC Flame Cutting

CNC flame cutting is a cutting method that which a CNC lathe uses gas with oxygen or gasoline with oxygen to cut metal materials.

Advantages

It can cut very thick carbon steel, and its cutting range is very wide, from 6mm - 200mm;

The price of flame-cutting machines is relatively low, and at the same time, the early investment cost is also low.

Disadvantages

It requires long preheating and perforation time and the cutting speed is slow.

The thermal deformation is large when cutting, especially when cutting thin plates, and the cutting accuracy is not high.

It is unable to cut copper, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals and stainless steel.

The way of burning fuel is harmful to the environment, not environmental protection.

CNC flame cutting for a thin plate (0.5-6mm) in the cutting field has been gradually replaced by plasma cutting. But for thick plates and plates, CNC flame cutting is still irreplaceable, and with its low price, CNC flame cutting still occupies a certain market share in thin plate cutting.

CNC Plasma Cutting

CNC plasma arc cutting is a machining method that which a CNC lathe uses the heat of a high-temperature plasma arc to melt (and evaporate) the metal part of the workpiece incision and eliminate the molten metal by the momentum of high-speed plasma to form an incision.

Advantages

Its cutting field is wide, and it can cut all metal sheets;

Its cutting speed is fast, which can reach more than 10m/min. In addition, the cutting efficiency is high;

Its cutting precision is higher than flame cutting, and plasma underwater cutting will not deform.  What’s more, fine plasma cutting precision is higher.

Disadvantages

It is difficult to cut steel plates above 20mm, which requires a high-power plasma power supply and costs a lot.

When cutting a thick plate, the cutting edge is V-shaped.

Plasma underwater cutting can eliminate noise, dust, harmful gas, and arc light pollution, and effectively improve the working environment. The use of fine plasma cutting has made the cutting quality close to the laser cutting level, with the maturity of high-power plasma cutting technology, cutting thickness has exceeded 150mm, broadening the CNC plasma cutting machine cutting range.

In Conclusion

Generally speaking, it is recommended to choose a CNC plasma cutter service. But if the price is a consideration for you, you can choose CNC flame cutting.