Hypertherm Published Articles

In terms of units sold, handheld plasma cutters reach some pretty impressive numbers. Hypertherm, Hanover, N.H., for instance, recently announced the sale of its 50,000th Powermax600, a 40-amp handheld plasma cutting system that it introduced in 1999.

The 50,000th unit is now in the hands of Steven Thompson, owner of Central Oregon Industries, Prineville, OR. USA. Read more ...

Plasma is a quick and inexpensive way to cut metal. It can also deliver excellent cut quality. How can you be sure you’re getting the best possible cuts from your system? Hypertherm expert Tex Whiting offers some pointers in this article from the September edition of The Fabricator. Read more ...

On reflecting on the biggest challenge facing Hypertherm in 2005, President and CEO Dick Couch talks about the massive growth the company has been experiencing.
"We've been aadding new people and they come from all over the world. It's been a challenge of communication and orientation to teach them about how we do things at Hypertherm," he says. Since 2004, Hypertherm has added 150 associates. Read more ...

Richard Couch, Jr., chief executive officer of Hypertherm, Inc., sees thermal-cutting technology as a growing profit center within distributorships. Founded in 1968, Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, N.H., now has over 50% of the worldwide market in computer-controlled plasma-cutting equipment with subsidiaries and distributors operating in 60 countries. Recently, Richard Couch, Jr., chief executive officer, founder, and developer of the water-injection plasma-cutting system, spoke with GWD to share his views. Read more ...

In a properly functioning system, three key factors affect consumable life: Number of pierces (stresses to the electrode during arc initiation and termination cause hafnium erosion), Cut duration (heat stress developed during long cuts erodes the hafnium) and Material thickness (thick materials require higher output current, which causes more rapid hafnium erosion. In addition, thick materials take longer to pierce, causing increased nozzle and electrode wear). Over the years plasma cutting technology has introduced numerous advances to mitigate these wear factors. Some power supplies produce a controlled mixture of oxygen and nitrogen in the initial cutting gas and precisely ramp power and gas flows at cut initiation and termination.These machines have helped increase consumable life in oxygen cutting applications. Read more ...

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Plasma arc gouging may not be as well known or widely used as plasma arc cutting, but the two processes share many characteristics: ease of use, cut speed and quality, cost of operation and versatility...With practice, an operator can achieve a smooth, clean, consistent groove with a plasma gouging arc. This process is relatively quiet and smoke-free. It can be used on mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and almost any ferrous or nonferrous alloy. Different gases can help optimize gouge quality and surface conditions. Read more ...

Plasma, often called the fourth state of matter, has cut electrically conductive metals for decades. Recent advances have increased energy density levels to boost plasma-cutting speeds while simultaneously improving cut quality on thin materials. Read more ...

While some fabrication companies process only nonferrous or alloy materials, 95% of all metal cut is carbon steel. Ninety-percent of the carbon steel is less than 1 inch (25 mm) thick. . . Choosing a process is very confusing unless there is a clear understanding of the desired end-cut quality and intermediate process requirements. When analyzing cutting costs, keep in mind secondary operations that may be required to prepare for the next operation or for finishing. Read more ...

Cut to the Chase- Considering Plasma Arc Cutting
Practical Welding Today - March/April 2002

Many applications that traditiionally didn't use plasma cutting now can consider it a viable tool. End-user markets for plasma arc cutting have expanded over the last several years. . . Determining whether your application is an appropriate candidate for plasma arc cutting can be as simple as answering a few questions about the work you do.. Read more ...