Simultaneous cutting optimisation and investigation into the reemployment of residual plasma stream energy and its effect

Project aim:

The aim of this research is to find out if the Plasma Arc has the ability to perform a simultaneous multiple cut, and how the air gap distance between the sheets could reflect on the overall quality. In other words, can we reuse the residual energy of the Plasma to perform a simultaneous second cut, and what are the optimised input parameters for optimum quality of cut?

Project background:

Plasma cutting processes are taking over the traditional way of cutting. This is due to improvements over the last 50 years in flexibility, high quality of cut, cutting profile, and edges. This state-of-the-art technology allows for a high level of automation, better quality, ease of use, and better tool life, making it the optimal choice for metal fabricators. A lot of research has been done in the field of assessing the quality cut and how the main plasma parameters (current, speed of cut, distance nozzle workpiece, gas pressure) can reflect on the overall cut, but there is a gap that will be investigated in this study to determine the capability of the plasma technique to cut multiple steel sheets simultaneously and parameters optimisation and cutting process technology for the best quality cut result.