Plasma Arc Machining (PAM)
In this article, we will learn about Plasma Arc Machining, Working Principle Advantage & Disadvantage. Plasma cutting is the process of cutting a thick electrically conductive material through a thermal material removal process. The metal is removed as it speeds up the plasma workpiece at higher temperatures. Plasma is the cutting method used to cut materials that cannot be cut in conventional oil/fuel.
Stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc. A high-temperature plasma is used for machining the workpiece. When gas is produced at high temperatures (1600C) it ionizes. This ionized gas is called plasma.
Working principle
At high temperatures in plasma arc machining, plasma removes metal from the workpiece. The metal is also removed by electron collision. At the base is a gas chamber with a copper nozzle (anode nozzle).
An electrode is located in the middle of the gas chamber as a vertical. It is connected to the negative terminal of the 400v – 2000Kw -DC supply. Nozzle is connected to the positive terminal. The gas in the ionizes due to the heat in. The gas of the ionized gas passes through the nozzle into the plasma, the heat of the plasma gas melts the surface of the material, and the metal sinks into the workpiece, thus removing the metal.
Plasma can be removed with a high amount of metal. water is poured to cool the nozzle. The base of the Tungsten electrode becomes erode by excessive heat. To adjust this, the electrode must be lowered and adjusted.
Applications
- Suitable for cutting hard metals such as superalloys.
- Stainless steel and aluminum alloys are used in metals to cut the desired texture.
Advantages
- Also used to cut very thick (up to 200 mm) metal.
- This cutting process is very fast.
- Any type of metal can be machined.
- Rough turning can be done in a material that is considered difficult in metal.
Disadvantages
- Low accuracy
- Bad surface
- High cost
- Additional electricity required
- Changes in the alloying surface of the material.
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