Which Industries Use Plasma Cutters?

Plasma cutters are a type of cutting or welding tool that creates a very thin stream of plasma. The cutters channel an electrical arc through a gas until the gas becomes so hot it ionizes. The ionized particles are shot at metal, where they immediately melt through the metal surface. This method of metal cutting is highly efficient and accurate. Most types of plasma cutting are relegated to machines that can be more accurate than humans--which also protects human welders from the danger of an accident--although there are some handheld plasma cutter applications.

Aircraft

Plasma cutting was first developed and refined in the military aircraft industry, where companies were experimenting with faster and more accurate methods to cut the metal components the aircraft types needed. Today, aircraft repair and development industries use plasma cutters for many different kinds of work, in both commercial and military industries.

Automobile industries use plasma cutters the most frequently. Custom auto companies use the cutters to create and weld additional components for automobiles. Mainstream auto industries use plasma cutters in their automated assembly lines to cut and construct car structures and plates.

Plasma cutters can cut through large sheets of metal quickly, making them an ideal tool for heavy-duty construction. While not many plasma cutters are used out in the field, companies do use the cutters in factories to shape large metal pipes, sheets and beams for large-scale construction projects such as bridges or towers.

Locksmiths use plasma cutters too, specifically in emergency situations when customers have accidentally locked down a safe or vault and need immediate access. In this case, plasma cutters are one of the few portable tools strong enough to cut through the vault material and break open the safe.

Metal artists often work with stick welding or a type of gas welding in their work, using the slower process to shape their project. Some, however, prefer to use plasma cutters, especially for beveling work or cutting holes and edges into some of their pieces.