Frequently Asked Questions
| Process | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Oxy-fuel |
Low capital cost |
Primarily limited to mild and low alloy steels |
| No electrical requirements |
Less suitable for stainless steels and aluminium |
| Consumable costs low |
Wide HAZ |
| Can be used manually or mechanised |
Quality influenced by parameters and torch nozzle and plate surface condition |
| Transportable |
|
| Can be used to cut thick sections |
|
| All positions |
|
| Plasma |
Wide range of materials including stainless steel and aluminium |
Typically limited to 50mm (air-plasma) plate |
| Narrow HAZ |
Noise when cutting thick sections |
| Low consumable (air) costs |
Fume when cutting in air |
| Ideal for this sheet material |
Arc glare when cutting in air |
| Low fume when cutting underwater |
Consumables (electrode and nozzle) costs |
| High quality cut edge (HTPAC) |
|
| Laser |
Extremely narrow cut width (0.1mm) |
High capital cost |
| Minimal distortion |
High maintenance costs |
| Small HAZ |
Cutting thickness <20mm |
| Very high cutting speeds (up to 10m/min) |
Screening of beam |
| Cut edge does not require dressing |
|
| Metals and non-metals |
|
| Abrasive water jet |
No heat generated |
High capital cost |
| Minimal distortion |
Safe handling of water jet |
| Wide range of metals and non-metals |
Containment of water |
| Hazardous (explosive) environments |
Noise |
| |
Wide cut width |
| |
Abrasive cost (cannot be recycled) |
For more information, please contact us.