A half-bridge DC/DC converter for plasma cutting machine

This paper presents the design and construction of a plasma cutting machine by using a half-bridge dc/dc converter for negative direct current power supply and initial exciting arc by a high voltage high frequency circuit. When the gas passes a torch electrode, it will explode to be plasma arc and transfer to the work piece. This process has been designed for an output power of plasma cutting machine at 2 kW by employing Isolate Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) as switches. The switching frequency is 20 kHz. The plasma cutting machine can cut 1 mm of steel. When compared with a linear transformer plasma cutting machine, the designed plasma cutting machine has an efficiency quite similar. In addition, the plasma cutting machine is small, light, and compatible.