Plasma cutting on metal — what it is and when it wins

What is plasma cutting on metal and how does it work?

Plasma cutting removes metal with a jet of compressed, ionized gas. An electric arc is struck between the torch electrode and the workpiece, heating the gas to roughly 20,000°C — at that temperature the gas becomes plasma, an electrically conductive state. The jet melts the metal along the cut line and blows the molten material out, leaving the kerf behind. The process works only on electrically conductive material: any metal — steel, stainless, aluminium, copper — but not plastic, wood or glass. Industrial machines are CNC-controlled exactly like laser cutters, so the torch follows a programmed vector path and the same part repeats reliably across a batch.

• Works only on electrically conductive metals — steel, stainless, aluminium, copper, brass
• Gas is compressed air, nitrogen or oxygen depending on the machine
• CNC control gives a repeatable, programmed cutting path
• Cannot cut plastic, wood, glass or any other dielectric

What thickness can plasma cut, and how precise is it?

Industrial CNC plasma machines cut steel from about 1mm up to 150mm, depending on machine power — far beyond what a standard fiber laser handles. Precision is the trade-off: typical tolerance is ±0.5-1mm, the kerf runs 1-3mm wide, and the heat-affected zone at the edge is broader. The result is a darkened, slightly rounded edge carrying dross — solidified molten residue. On thick structural plate that gap matters little; on thin sheet and fine detail it decides whether the part is usable at all. Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.

• Thickness: ~1-150mm on steel, depending on machine power
• Tolerance ±0.5-1mm; kerf width 1-3mm
• Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.
• Edges almost always need grinding before painting or welding

Why does thick metal need plasma rather than laser?

Cutting thick metal is a physically different problem. A fiber laser concentrates energy into a very small spot, which is ideal on thin sheet, but as thickness rises the beam has to drive through a far greater volume, and above roughly 15-20mm of steel the process slows sharply or stops working. The plasma jet is coarser but far more powerful: it melts large volumes of metal quickly. That is why structural steelwork, heavy frames, flanges and parts over 10mm are normally cut with plasma or oxy-fuel. In Tbilisi those jobs are handled by specialist metalworking shops. A full parameter-by-parameter comparison of laser and plasma — precision, thickness, edge quality, cost — is on a dedicated page.

Does Craftarea have plasma cutting equipment?

No. Craftarea owns no plasma cutting equipment and never claims otherwise. Minimum order is one piece. If your part falls outside that range or genuinely needs plasma because of thickness, we say so directly and put you in touch with a vetted partner workshop; we help with file preparation and coordinate the order. What we do not do in-house: plasma cutting, waterjet cutting, press-brake bending, CNC milling and lathe work. Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.

• Mild/carbon steel — up to 10mm
• Stainless steel (inox) — up to 6mm
• Aluminium — up to 5mm
• Copper/brass: thickness confirmed for the alloy and surface
• Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.

How much does plasma cutting cost and how is the price calculated?

Plasma cutting, like laser cutting, has no fixed price list. The figure is built from three components: total cut contour length in linear metres, material type and thickness, and a one-off setup charge covering file preparation and machine configuration. The per-metre rate rises with thickness, while the unit price falls as the run size grows because the setup charge spreads across more pieces. If the part is over 10mm and goes to a partner workshop, they calculate the price and we pass it on without a markup. Timing is agreed after the project review. Send the metal grade, thickness, drawing, finishing and quantity, required date and collection or delivery location.

• Formula: cut length (linear m) × material/thickness rate + setup charge
• Parts over 10mm are priced by the partner workshop
• Timing is agreed after the project review. Send the metal grade, thickness, drawing, finishing and quantity, required date and collection or delivery location.