Nowadays, those looking for tools for welding work have a very wide choice of equipment. Depending on the type of work and the material to be welded, it is worth considering more closely which type of torch or welding machine is suitable for the task. Two very popular methods today are plasma torch cutting (CNC) and gas torch cutting (usually acetylene-oxygen).
Oxy-acetylene torch welding
Gas torch welding involves heating metal to ignition temperature using a torch, after which gas placed in the welder is admitted under high pressure, which in turn pushes the burnt metal particles out of the welding area.
In gas welding machines, the basic element is, as the name suggests, a technical gas placed in the compressor tank and mixed in the right proportions together with oxygen. Due to its chemical properties, acetylene is one of the most frequently chosen technical gases for welding work today. It is capable of quickly heating up to a temperature of up to 3000°C. In addition, as acetylene is considerably heavier than air, it allows comfortable and safe welding work also underground.
The high temperature that acetylene can reach during welding work ensures fast welding. In addition, the acetylene-oxygen torch has a very high power output, making it ideal for welding thick materials that would prove a problem for other torches with less potential power. Unfortunately, such high welding power, depending on the job at hand, can also prove to be a disadvantage. Oxy-acetylene torches are not suitable for working on smaller or thinner surfaces. When cutting with an oxy-acetylene gas torch, due to the heat area produced by the tool, it is impossible to weld surfaces thinner than 3 millimetres without surface damage and other side effects.
Plasma torch welding
Another popular method of carrying out welding work is cutting using a plasma torch, also known as a CNC torch. This type of tool uses the fourth state of matter - plasma. Plasma in its electrified form resembles a gas, which has very good conductive properties. Through the appropriate release of energy, an electric arc of very high strength is created, which at the same time allows precise welding. In addition, with plasma, the electrical resistance decreases with the voltage that passes through it. This makes plasma welding an attractive choice for those looking for an accurate and fast torch cutting method.
Cutting sheet metal with a plasma torch works on a similar principle to acetylene-oxygen. The metal is heated to combustion temperature, after which the metal particles are ejected outside the weld area. In the case of a plasma welder, however, this is done using an electric arc generated by the plasma in the torch.
Plasma torches have many advantages, first and foremost being their very impressive performance in terms of how quickly they can heat up to be ready for use. The electric arc from a plasma torch allows for accurate welding and cutting of sheet metal, so it is well suited to working on thinner or smaller surfaces. Unfortunately, the noise and smoke that are produced when working with a plasma torch mean that working with a plasma welder underground or in confined spaces can be hazardous to health.
