7th and 8th grade students all use a machine to cut metal shapes called the plasma cutter. This machine takes some practice but is very effective at cutting out detailed shapes for projects. The following tips and videos will help when learning about this machine.
The following videos will help students better understand how this machine works:
It is important that students learn the following steps before using the plasma cutter:
1. Hookup and turn on air hose.
2. Turn on plasma cutter.
3. Connect the ground clamp to the work piece.
4. Remove the safety lever from the trigger.
5. Touch the torch tip to the metal and press the trigger to cut the metal.
*Trouble shooting:
-If metal won't cut check to see that sets 1-5 have been followed.
-Check to see that the area that the ground clamped is hooked to is free of paint and rust.
-Adjust the amps knob if needed to cut thicker metal.
