Effect of dual swirling plasma arc cutting parameters on kerf characteristics

A numerical control 3-D processing system was constituted for dual swirling plasma arc cutting. The effect of cutting energy parameters and operating gases on kerf characteristics was then investigated experimentally, so as to provide a reference for appropriately selecting process parameters to improve cut quality. It is shown that kerf widths reduce, and the bevel angle and the straightness increase with an increase of cutting speed and a decrease of arc current. Moreover, a smaller bevel angle, together with greater straightness and more dross, exhibits on the low speed side of the cut. As the oxygen content of the operating gas decreases, kerf widths decrease and the dross increases, while the bevel angle varies slightly on the high speed side of the cut. For the pure oxygen and pure air processes, the bevel angle on the low speed side and the straightness of cut surface are the smallest, but the pure oxygen cut surface is the roughest due to the occurrence of a saw-like kerf.