An industrial plasma cutter is a machine that is used to cut right through different metals. It consists of an inert gas blown out of a nozzle which is then ignited by an electrical arc. Upon the ignition, the gas turns into plasma which is hot enough to cut through different metal thicknesses. It is used in different industries for example the manufacturing, automotive repair and shipbuilding industries among others. These machines come in different brands and prices in the UK. If you need to get value for the money that you intend to spend then there are definitely some factors that you need to consider before buying one.

Factors to Consider When Buying an Industrial Plasma Cutter

1. Thickness of the metal that you intend to cut most often
The power sources of these machines are determined by their amperage and cutting capabilities. Thick metals require high amperage machines while thinner metals require low amperage machines in order to get the precise cutting edges.

2. Portability
The machine is to be used throughout the industry so you need to buy something that is not only portable but also compact. This will ease the transportation to a location even outside the industry. The machine should be able to be moved even to the least accessible areas.

3. The maximum cutting speed
You should read the manufacture’s description of how many inches of metal the machine can cut per minute in order to get a machine that is appropriate for you. Machines that have high amperage have faster cutting speeds and therefore get the job done much faster.

4. Durability and efficiency of the machine to withstand dust and smoke
The machine produces a lot of smoke and dust as it operates. It should therefore be able to handle the messy working conditions. The machine itself is quite costly so you definitely don’t need to spend more money on cleaning and servicing it. Also consider the durability because you probably want to enjoy the consistency of good service for a long period of time.

5. The machine motor
The different types of these industrial machines use 2 main types of motors, the Servo or the steeper motor. Most people prefer the servo motor because it can be moved to several different positions.

6. The cut quality
Before you actually buy a plasma cutter, you need to carry out some test on it. Cut into a piece of metal and then examine the cut surface. The cut surface should be focused if at all the plasma cutter is worth your money.

7. Operating cost
The different types of plasma cutters have varying plasma consumable lives. Those with a longer life lower the cost of production as they reduce the amount of plasma used. Some of the machines even use recent patented technology that enables them to extend their plasma consumable life.

8. After sale service
This is arguably one of the most important factors to consider. You need to know where and how to repair the machine in case of a breakdown and even where you can get its spare parts from. You might also want to check on the warranty details.

Getting the ideal industrial plasma cutter can be such a difficult task to accomplish but with this information, you can get the best machine for your intended use.