Metal can be cut two ways – mechanically and thermally. When it comes to the latter, plasma cutting is the most popular method. Plasma cutting relies on ionised gas to cut through thick pieces of metal. A plasma cutter works by compressing (ionising) gasses together to create what is known as plasma.
When the compressed gasses meet the electrode, they create more pressure which builds up until steam of plasma exits out of the cutting head. This way the arc of the plasma cuts through the metal since its high temperature melts it. This is the same with the Powermax 125. Hypertherm's oil-free plasma cutter is able to output current ranging between 30 and 125 A. But no plasma cutter is complete without accessories.
Needed Accessories for Your Powermax 125
Retaining Cap
What holds all the consumable components of the torch in one place is the retaining cap. This type of accessory is also able to withstand high temperatures which are common at this end of a Hypertherm 125 cutter. Your Hypertherm power max 125 is so powerful that it is wearing down all of its components that make the arc. This includes the retaining cap too which is why you should have multiple ones.
Electrode
The electrode is a piece of copper that contains hafnium which makes it more conductive. The job of this narrow consumable is to receive the current from the cathode in the torch and pass it on through its own tip. The electrode focuses the charge it gets from the cathode into the tip which is what creates the arc needed to cut into the workpiece.
Nozzle
The tip of the torch is called the nozzle which is a component that helps focus the plasma arc generated by the electrode. The nozzle also helps make for a precise and clean cut. There are various nozzle sizes, with larger ones being used to gouge and smaller ones being used to direct the gas. The latter is great for fine detail work.
Shield Cap
In order to protect the torch and the rest of its components from any sparks or molten metal, your Hypertherm power max 125 needs a shield cap. The sparks and molten metal are normal in the plasma cutting process but what's not normal is using your Hypertherm plasma cutter without a shield cap. Instead of getting more important components burnt you're better off burning a shield cap since it's a more affordable replacement.
Swirl Ring
What's inside the torch and helps swirl around the gas around the plasma arc is the swirl ring. This small component helps focus the outer layer of gas and thus direct the arc to increase your Hypertherm plasma cutter's precision. Swirling the gas also helps keep it cool so that the nozzle doesn't get worn down as much thus making the torch last longer.
Benefits of Plasma Cutting
Versatility
The number one reason why you'd want to use a Hypertherm 125 plasma cutter or any plasma cutter for that matter instead of a mechanical cutting technique, is versatility. The freedom to use a plasma cutter on any type of metal is something unique. With the electric arc produced by a plasma cutter, you can cut any conductive metal.
This includes iron, copper, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and more. But the versatility of plasma cutting doesn't end here. With a plasma cutter, you're also able to stack different metals on top of each other and cut through them in one go.
Use
You would think that having that much freedom when it comes to cutting tough materials requires exceptional skills. Well, although that might be the case with other types of metal cutting techniques, it's certainly not the case with plasma cutting. Plasma cutters are quite portable and easy to use that even beginners can quickly get the hang of one and start cutting.
Cuts
Making cuts with a plasma-powered cutter is also quite a quick process. Especially when compared to that of other cutting tools and processes. You will save plenty of time using a plasma cutter and decrease your turnaround time too.
Quality
Not only are the cuts faster and easier to make, but the quality of plasma cuts is on another level too. This is especially the case when you need to cut different angles and shapes of sheet metal.
Speed
The piercing speed, not cutting speed, of a plasma cutter is quite in a league of its own. When compared to oxy cutting, plasma cutting is able to pierce through a material with the same thickness in less than two seconds. This is because a plasma cutter doesn't need to be pre-heated.
Safety
The gas used in the plasma cutting process is not highly flammable. This means that plasma cutters are a lot safer to use than other metal cutters.
Conclusion
Fast, powerful, and safe. What else do you want from a cutting torch? Also, the fact that a plasma cutter is easy to use makes it a great choice even for people who are not familiar with this fabrication process. If you have the time and money to invest and start working with a plasma cutter then go for it as it is both a fun and unique craft.
