Plasma Cutting Table

 Whilst the plasma cutting is fun and allows me to be creative, and the actual cutting process is quite dangerous! Basically, an arc welder type electrode creates a spark and a lot of heat to melt the metal, then a high-pressure, very fine jet of compressed air removes the plasmified metal. To avoid breathing hot vapourised metal dust, obviously, I wear the appropriate PPE. To help catch all the debris, I fabricated a plasma cutting table. Narrow metal slats support the workpiece. These slats allowed most of the sparks and removed metal to pass straight through. Instead of ending up on the driveway (I like to cut outside with plenty of ventilation), they are captured by a metal hopper, then directed into a stainless steel bin with some water in the bottom.

All my artwork is freestyle which I love. However, when cutting up a full sheet into working pieces, I need to make straight, neat cuts. Cutting a fine, straight edge with a minimum amount of cleanup is definitely required. Not only is it much easier, but I believe safer than using an angle grinder or an oxy-acetylene torch.

To allow me to use my plasma table as a guillotine, I have recently added some CNC rails. Now I have plasma settings correct and have also figured out a good cutting head height and travel speed, I am still amazed at how the plasma does such a great job.

I don’t have a lot of room, so all my tables are mounted on rollers. That way, I can move various equipment tables around to suit whatever I am working on. All the tables also are at the same height, which allows maximum flexibility.