Plasma cutting is a technique that was initially designed for cutting thermal materials which did not suit flame-cutting procedures. For instance, high-alloy steel and aluminum materials needed more precision and convenience. Hence, the plasma cutting method was introduced, where plasma is created that surrounds the blade and emits heat through the entire surface. When the edge is in operation, the hot plasma interacts with the metals to form various types of molten material. As a result, the blade becomes a blunt tool that can easily cut through material, helping to cut through an expansive range of materials.
The most common application areas for plasma cutting machines are heavy-duty, automotive applications, forging, cutting, additive manufacturing and flat panel display manufacturing. Slicing against a smooth metallic surface, plasma cutting reduces wear on cutting tools and a cut surface. As a result, this is often a suitable choice for challenging and sensitive operations.
Based on product type, the plasma cutting machines market can be segmented into straight cutting plasma and bevel cutting plasma. Furthermore, based on application, the plasma cutting machines market can be classified into automotive, medical devices, plastic & metal processing, and flat panel display manufacturing.
Straight-cutting plasma products cover the gamut of cutting tasks in modern metal industries. These products have diverse cutting shapes, including delicate end grinding, non-intrusive grinding, and structural milling.
Bevel-cutting plasma products offer high precision and uniformity and are suitable for drilling, riveting, milling and mill finishing. Bevel-cutting plasma cuts have a high speed, and low noise and are ideal for low-temperature cutting. These machines offer tremendous productivity and maximum robustness, including many additional optional features.
Plasma Cutting Machines Market: Dynamics
The major drivers of the plasma cutting market are technological advancements in plasma cutting machines and the rise in demand for the global auto and medical industry, construction, and packaging that is driving the need for plasma cutting machines.
The ability to produce an extremely smooth, flat finish with various shapes makes plasmas a reliable and attractive solution to many cutting applications. The vastness of the plasma market and its various applications have led to the development of plasma cutting equipment manufacturers.
Plasma cutting machines play a vital role in the automotive industry. The automotive sector offers various opportunities for advanced manufacturing of components such as fuel tanks, fuel nozzles, headlamps, air ducts, brake drums and more. High-end metal parts in the automotive sector, such as cast and forged materials, are made of metal parts which require high precision and exacting tolerance for manufacturing and inspection purposes. These high-end metal parts require precision plasma cutting. Therefore, the industry needs advanced plasma cutting machines to ensure high-quality metal parts with precise shape, size and surface quality.
The medical device industry is also deemed as one of the users of plasma cut parts. Medical devices, made of sensitive materials and sophisticated electronics, require high precision and smooth cutting ability. Market share is estimated to rise due to the need to create custom-made medical products in the form of complete or partial replacements.
Medical device industries require various components in their products. Medical devices are usually custom-made and need sophisticated machines to handle these products. These devices are constructed of multi-layered, intricately designed parts, which require cutting to manufacture the products. Furthermore, the medical device industry needs machines to cut the pieces in high precision.
Conclusion
Plasma cutting machines are a cost-effective solution for metal-based applications in the manufacturing sector. In addition, plasma cutting machines provide smooth surface edges, precision quality cutting, various cutting speeds and angles and various material usage.
Moreover, it offers high quality of work, including precision-cut surfaces. Furthermore, plasma cutting machines have advantages over traditional metal cutting tools, such as machining large pieces of metal.