The Difference between Laser Cutting and Plasma Cutting

The difference between laser cutting machine and plasma cutting machine:

1. Different Principles
The laser cutting machine is to focus the laser beam emitted by the laser device into a laser beam with high power according to the laser optical path system software. The laser beam is directly irradiated on the surface of the product workpiece to make the product workpiece reach the melting point or melting point. At the same time, the high-pressure gas coaxial with the light blows away the molten or vaporized metal material. With the movement of the relative position of the beam and the workpiece, the raw material will eventually form a gap, so as to achieve the purpose of cutting.
Plasma cutters have a gas that is heated to a very high temperature and is highly decomposed. It transfers the arc output power to the product workpiece. The high temperature causes the product workpiece to melt and be scraped away, resulting in the operating state of low temperature plasma arc cutting. Subsequently, a low-temperature plasma arc is used as a heat source to melt the metal. The cut is an oblique line, so there is usually a certain slope when cutting common faults. Therefore, when the cross section we need is a bevel, the plasma cutter is no longer usable.

2. Different Cutting Quality
In terms of cutting precision, low-temperature plasma can achieve within 1mm, and laser can achieve within 0.2mm. Therefore, the precision of the laser cutting machine is higher.
The laser cutting machine can complete the non-contact cutting with the surface of the product workpiece, the cutting gap is small, the precision is high, the heat hazard area is small, and the cutting inner hole is smooth and free of burrs. However, the cutting gap of the plasma cutting machine is slightly larger, the cutting inner hole is not smooth and uneven, and the cutting precision is low.

3. Different Cutting Raw Materials
Laser cutting machines are suitable for cutting a wide range of raw materials: metal materials, non-metal materials, porcelain, laminated glass, etc. are all available. Plasma cutting is suitable for cutting various metal composite materials, mainly steel plate cutting.

4. Different Costs
The purchase price of the plasma cutting machine is much cheaper than that of the laser cutting machine, because the laser cutting machine is composed of many high-precision parts, and the cost of mechanical parts is higher.
But in terms of the cost of consumables, the cost of consumables for plasma cutting machines is very high. For example, all torches (nozzles, swirl rings, electrodes, etc.) must be replaced within hours, and plasma cutting machines use a lot of electricity. However, the cost of consumables for laser cutting machines is very low, there are few spare parts, and there is almost no need for maintenance.