Learn CNC Cutting &
How To Use Our Products
Setting Up and Using TechServ’s Products
Our CNC machines are built to scale, from compact models to industrial giants. They’re designed to be user-friendly, with simple setup and operation. Our expert support ensures your machines perform at their best, no matter the size of your project.
Learn TechServ CNC Software
A true multitasking CNC system, we developed the TechServ CNC software specifically for profile cutting. It is easy to learn, simple to use and capable of producing anything from artwork to aircraft carriers, working with all conventional and high-precision plasma systems and gas and waterjet in any combination.
A Guide to Plasma Cutting Machines
Every plasma cutting machine has various options and features that will impact the plasma cutting process. Understanding the technology behind plasma cutting will help you make the best choices for your cutting needs.
What is plasma cutting?
Plasma cutting uses a jet of superheated gas that conducts electricity to produce a controlled stream of plasma that can cut through metals. The combination of the high temperature (25,000°C) and high current flow melts the metal, while the gas jet helps to blow it through the metal. It is a highly efficient way of cutting through metals. The plasma is directed with a plasma torch that can be handheld or mounted to a CNC machine.
Features & Functions Options
Plasma is an ionised gas - a fourth state of matter that is separate from solids, liquids and gases - and a plasma arc can be produced in several different ways for plasma cutting.
Blowback plasma cutting is a mechanical process that uses a spring-loaded electrode mounted within a tube, in contact with the plasma torch nozzle. Compressed air pushes the electrode back, breaking contact with the nozzle, and causes a small plasma arc to form. The gas then pushes the arc from the torch to make contact with the metal. The plasma cutter pack senses this, disconnects the nozzle, and ramps the current up to the chosen setting. A signal is then sent to the CNC machine to allow the plasma to fully pierce the plate.
The blowback method is often used in smaller, compressed air plasma cutter packs and CNC plasma systems. It’s reliable and easy to maintain and operate. It is ideal for general cutting, although blowback plasma cutting can be less effective on very thin or thick materials.
With high frequency plasma cutting, a plasma jet is started by triggering a spark from the electrode to the nozzle. It uses a fixed electrode, which ensures the electrode is always in the optimum position and helps to produce better quality cuts.
High frequency starts quickly create a more stable plasma arc so offer greater precision, making them ideal for cutting thin metals and complex shapes. The burst of high energy produced on start-up can cause interference with electrical systems, so proper grounding is needed and the CNC machine must use shielded components to cope with this.
The different types of plasma
Our bespoke water jet cutters are configured to suit your needs. If you are cutting lighter materials, the machine and waterbed can be combined with the rails mounted to the side of the waterbed. For heavy-duty applications, the waterbed and rails are separated, with the rails securely mounted to the floor.
Mixed gas plasma is for heavy duty plasma cutting and structural fabrication work. It is used for cutting thicker metals, up to 32 mm, and specialist materials, such as stainless steel. High frequency start and a water cooled torch give mixed gas plasma systems a 100% duty cycle, so operators can carry out continuous heavy-duty plasma cutting.
Although mixed gas plasma can be run on compressed air alone, better results are achieved on mild steel by using oxygen as the plasma gas and compressed air as the shield gas. Other combinations of gases, such as nitrogen and F5, are used for cutting stainless steel.
High precision plasma cutting is suitable for both heavy duty and precision cutting, as well as structural fabrication and cutting stainless steel and aluminium. It is used to cut metals up to 50 mm thick, with mixed gasses giving very good quality cuts on a range of materials.
Similar to the mixed gas plasma packs, high precision plasma systems incorporate an additional gas distributor in the torch. This constricts the arc, producing a highly constrained plasma arc with a small effective diameter. When paired with a suitable CNC system, this results in excellent edge quality with very little taper and excellent bolt-ready holes.
The gas systems on high precision plasmas are complex, with different pressures and flows used during the start, cutting and post flow stages of the cut. A combination of gases is used to cut mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
Download manuals for all TechServ products
Instructions at your fingertips so you can get to grips with anything and everything.
Our experienced team is here to support you
TechServ’s knowledgeable team offers product support and expert guidance.