Plasma cutting: Plasma cutting is a process that cuts electrically conductive metal with a jet of ionised gas hot enough to melt it, blowing the molten metal out of the cut.
A plasma torch forms an electric arc through gas forced out of a small nozzle. It cuts steel, stainless steel and aluminium quickly, especially in medium and thick plate, on machines that are cheap to buy and run. The edges are rougher and slightly bevelled compared with laser, with a wider kerf and a larger heat-affected zone.
What it means for the price
The machine’s low cost gives a low hourly rate. Consumables (electrodes and nozzles) wear with arc time and with every pierce, so pierce count matters. Plasma suits structural and heavy parts where speed and cost matter more than edge finish. Small holes are a weak point: holes not much larger than the plate thickness cut poorly and are often drilled afterwards, which adds a second operation.
Example: a base plate in 20 mm steel may be plasma cut quickly, with its four small bolt holes drilled afterwards. The figures are an example.
Common confusions
Plasma cuts only conductive metals; for plastics, wood or glass, laser or waterjet is needed. Quotometry prices plasma cutting today from a DXF or SVG drawing. Read waterjet vs laser vs plasma.
Go deeper: Waterjet vs laser vs plasma cutting: thickness, accuracy, edge and cost