In this article, you will learn what plasma gouging is and how it works. Enjoy the read.
Plasma Gouging
Just like plasma cutting, plasma gouging can be performed on any electrically conductive metal. The process may be carried out manually by an operator or—to achieve optimal results and speed—using a CNC table.
The fundamental difference between cutting and gouging lies in the fact that plasma gouging does not pierce the material through. Instead, the plasma arc melts the metal, which is then blown away by a stream of gas.
Unlike cutting, the torch is held at an angle, and the produced arc is wider. The versatility of this process is significant, ranging from making grooves and bevels, to surface cleaning and preparation, to removing rivets. As a result, plasma gouging is widely used across industries such as manufacturing, steel construction, and maintenance.
Plasma vs. Other Gouging Methods
Plasma offers an excellent alternative to carbon-arc gouging and various mechanical methods. This technique stands out due to the high quality and consistency of the gouged surface, as well as its superior processing speed. It is also noticeably quieter and more cost-effective in daily operation.
Plasma Gouging with a Hypertherm Powermax System
As with any industrial process, choosing the right equipment is crucial. Hypertherm’s Powermax plasma systems are an excellent solution, as they include a dedicated gouging mode. Hypertherm also offers a wide range of high-quality gouging consumables that allow you to tailor the system to your production needs.
Productivity
For large gouges or heavy-duty cleaning, the Max Removal shield is the ideal choice. It is engineered for efficient removal of substantial amounts of molten metal.
Precision
The new Max Control shield is designed for shallow, highly accurate gouging and light surface preparation.
For applications requiring maximum precision, such as removing spot welds, the best solution is to use a precision gouging nozzle and shield, combined with a low output current (10 A).
Reach
Consumables from the HyAccess™ series feature extended length, making them ideal for gouging in constrained or hard-to-reach areas.
Summary
As you can see, plasma technology extends far beyond cutting alone. With the right consumables, you can easily transform a cutting setup into a highly effective gouging system. Plasma once again proves its versatility.
Would you like to learn more about plasma gouging? Feel free to contact us—we will gladly answer any questions.
As an authorized Hypertherm distributor, we can also assist you in selecting and purchasing the appropriate consumables.