Understanding The Different Types Of Metal Cuts
When people go and look for something that is too technical for them to understand, they tend to scratch their heads wondering what each technical term mean. This is especially true for people who are searching for a suitable plasma cutter. They are bombarded with so many information and most of which…they have no idea what the manufacturers are talking about.
On this page, we will help you define some of those terms in regards to the different types of metal cuts. While this is often the very first detail people look at when purchasing a plasma cutting machine. They tend to look at the cut thickness the machine or unit is able to produce to determine if it’s worth the price. You can easily see these in the product specification which generally lists out the rated cut and maximum cut capacity as well as output power.
As a consumer, you tend to want the best for your dollars and in this case, you will want a plasma cutter that can cut the thickest metal (usually measured by inches) without spending a fortune. But what most buyers may not realize is that the specifications given by these manufacturing companies may not necessarily mean the same thing in human terms, something ordinary humans can interpret correctly.
If a particular plasma cutter says it can cut 1/4 inch of metal, it may not mean the same thing and we will show you how to interpret these terms correctly as we look at the different types of cut ratings from different brands.
Here are the 3 main types of cuts:
Rated Cut – This is a term used to determine the cut thickness of mild steel at minimum speed. Rated Cut allows the operator to achieve the best cut quality because it is process at low speed or IPM (Normally around 10).
Quality Cut – This term is normally used to describe when an operator cuts thick metal. It is usually operated at very very slow speed (slower than rated cut).
Sever Cut – This term is used quite often, especially in some of the Esab plasma cutters. It basically means that the user will push the machine to it’s maximum cutting capacity. While the operation can be very slow and messy, it allows it’s operator to achieve it’s maximum output by the machine.
Now that you understand the 3 different types of metal cuts, the next time you decide to purchase a plasma cutter, you can bare in mind of of the terms that will come along with your chosen model.
