m3 Plasma


50 Years of Plasma Technology
ESAB pioneered plasma cutting technology and introduced the first industrial plasma system 50 years ago. Through the ensuing years ESAB continued to contribute to the refinement and growth of plasma technology. ESAB has also been at the forefront of gantry cutting technology. The result is that today’s systems are designed to work together to improve productivity, reduce maintenance and down time and make plasma cutting an affordable and versatile tool for metal fabricators worldwide. With 100 years of partnering with welding and cutting customers around the world, ESAB remains a leader in technology, equipment and materials for welding and cutting operations. Dedicated to continual advancement of welding and cutting science, ESAB is the company to trust for all your welding and cutting needs.
What is m3 Plasma? The System PT-36 Plasma Torch m3 Flow Control EPP Plasma Power Supplies SpeedLoader Why Buy m3 plasma? Cut Quality Operating Cost Consumable Life Multi-Process Automation 50 Years of Plasma Cutting \| Easy Upgrade Path	A History of Innovation The original patent on the plasma arc torch and process was issued on September 10, 1957, to R. M. Gage (U.S. Patent No. 2,806,124). Over the next decade, a number of developments were implemented to make the Plasmarc process more user friendly. In the early 1970’s when the popularity of the process began to grow by leaps and bounds, we intensified our development efforts. Following are some of the major ESAB innovations that have revolutionized the field of plasma cutting. 1963 - This year saw the first use of zirconium insert electrodes for air-plasma cutting. 1966 - In one of the first steps toward process automation, the patented retract starting of plasma torches is introduced. 1970 - With the introduction of our 1000 amp plasma system, plasma can now be used to cut a wide range of thicknesses. 1971 - Thanks to our patented water swirl injection process, the cut quality achieved through mechanized plasma cutting is dramatically improved. 1975 - Following the development of our patented mechanized underwater plasma process, mechanized plasma cutting can comfortably coexist in the shop with other operations. 1980 - With our patented XR nozzles for low or no dross nitrogen cutting, the cut quality of mechanized cutting is further improved. 1983 - Thanks to our PT-31 torch with a unique patented safety circuit, manual plasma cutting is safer. 1986 - Following the introduction on the U.S. market of our portable inverter plasma cutting systems, plasma cutting can now be carried to the job. 1988 - Thanks to our patented performance boosting XT tip technology introduced on the PT-31XL torch, higher performance can be achieved with the same amperage level. 1989 - With the development of our ultra long life oxygen technology on the PT-15XL and PT-19XL torches, oxygen plasma cutting becomes a practical production tool. 1992 - With our ESP (ESAB Smart Plasma) systems, mechanized plasma cutting becomes “operator friendly”. 1993 - Following the introduction of our Ultralife 300 power source, consumable life in oxygen plasma cutting improves again. 1993 - With our leading edge PCM-750i Plasmarc system, portable plasma cutting becomes even more powerful and versatile. 1994 - Thanks to our revolutionary PCM-1000i Plasmarc system, transportable plasma cutting reaches levels that previously required heavy, expensive consoles 1995 - With the introduction of our 360 amp oxygen cutting technology, ESAB Plasmarc systems achieve speed and capability levels competitors can’t touch. 1995 - The introduction of the ESP-6000C “Chopper” power supply extended consumable life by providing extremely low current ripple and current slope from 50 to 600 amps. 1995 - Plasma beveling is enhanced by oxygen plasma cutting with the water injected PT-15XL torch. 1996 - The new PT-26 manual torch allows hand plasma cutting and gouging up to 300 amps when used with the “Duece-Pak” power supply configuration. 1997 - Plasma is forever revolutionized when ESAB introduces the SmartFlow plasma flow control system, the first ever flow control to use proportional valve technology to control plasma gas directly from the CNC. 1997 - Operating costs are reduced with the introduction of a two piece nozzle for the PT-19 torch, allowing operators to replace the worn nozzle tip and re-use the nozzle base. 1997 - ESAB debuts the new “Pre-Stop” method of controlling a plasma arc cutting torch, which improves nozzle and electrode life, and enhances cut quality. 1998 - Carbon steel can now be cut thicker and faster with the introduction of the PT-19XLS, the industry’s first 600 amp dual-gas mechanized torch capable of oxygen-plasma cutting up to 400 amps. 1999 - The introduction of an insulated water injection bevel nozzle improves plasma beveling performance with the PT-15XL torch. 1999 - Full Process Control is introduced when ESAB integrates the power and flexibility of the Vision PC computer numerical control with the new SmartFlow 2 plasma flow control system. 2000 - The introduction of the PT-600 dual-gas dry cutting torch enables high accuracy plasma beveling. 2002 - The PT-24 Precision Plasmarc torch becomes the first torch to cut and mark using the same consumables. 2004 - Precision Plasma capability is extended to 200 amps with the new EPP-200 power source. 2005 - The new EPP-600 power supply sets the standard for wide operating ranges with the ability to plasma mark as low as 12 amps, and cut over the range of 50 to 600 amps. 2006 - The m3 plasma flow control is the first plasma system to use Mass Flow Control devices (MFCs) to accurately control the flow of gases to a plasma torch, and accurately mix shield gases for best cut quality. 2006 - The introduction of the new PT-36 Precision Plasmarc torch, with the patented Posi-Thread system and the SpeedLoader, makes life a little easier for plasma operators. 2006 - With a patented electrode holder and a simple tungsten electrode, the PT-36 reduces the cost of cutting thick slab stainless steel and aluminum by dry cutting up to 6.25” thick with only 600 amps. 2006 - m3 plasma revolutionizes the industry, providing a wide range of capabilities in a single, fully automated precision plasma cutting package.