Plasma Cutting 101: Getting started with CNC and Handheld Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting is a powerful and empowering technique that will allow you to dream up nearly any 2D shape in steel and cut it out.
Location
Artisan's Asylum
96 Holton Street Boston, MA 02135Refund Policy
About this event
- 3 hours
Instructor - Eden Attar
Eden Attar is a professional artist and the Artisans Asylum Metal Shop Lead. She has trained with certified welders. Eden wrote her master's thesis on critical pedagogy and classical music on the television program Sesame Street and is interested in anti-colonial, de-schooled, and non-hierarchical forms of teaching and learning.
Class Description
Plasma cutting is a powerful and empowering technique that will allow you to dream up nearly any 2D shape in steel and cut it out in a short amount of time. CNC plasma can be an ideal tool for making repeat or complex cuts out of sheet steel or steel plate. Handheld plasma cutting can be used to make organic, improvised, or precisely traced shapes in a variety of situations, such as cutting decorative air holes in fire barrels, auto repair, or sculpture.
This class is an introduction to using our handheld and CNC plasma cutters. We will cover the basic principles behind plasma cutting and the safe operation of the machines.
Course outline:
Introductions, safety, cutting demo (15 min)
Overview of the anatomy of the machine and how plasma cutting works (30 min)
Consumables exercise: students are guided through assembling torch consumables. (15 min)
Students break into groups. Group 1 makes a cut from a pre-made DXF (digital drawing) and is given time to explore and get used to Torchmate control software while following a checklist with help from the instructor.
Group 2 is given time to explore handheld plasma cutting on a variety of materials and situations.
Groups rotate (1 hr)
Material Fee
The materials fee for this class is $15. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments through Venmo.
Class Goals
Students will learn to: safely operate the CNC and handheld plasma cutters.
After this class, students will be able to pass a tool test in order to operate the machines on their own.
Material Supplied
Machine consumables, sheet steel for cutting and bending.
Students Should Bring
If you use glasses for reading or other close-up work, please bring them. We have welding jackets for your upper body, but please cover all the skin on your lower body with clothing made of natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool, denim, etc.) and wear closed-toe shoes.
Please do not wear loose-fitting clothes, please tie back long hair, and expect to remove any rings or dangling jewelry.
Prerequisites
Students must be 16 years old or older. All students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.
Class Policies
Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies here.
Please email education@artisansasylum.com with any questions.
*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.
Frequently asked questions
Students may withdraw from a class up to 7 days prior to the start of the class via Eventbrite’s refund feature. In extenuating circumstances, students may contact education@artisansasylum.com to request an exception.
To request a class or ticket transfer, either use the “contact the organizer” feature offered by Eventbrite or email Education@artisansasylum.com with your name, ticket information, and transfer request. Transfer requests are approved on a case-by-case basis.
Artisans Asylum reserves the right to cancel or reschedule classes in the event the minimum number of students for the class is not reached, an emergency, such as illness, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. Communication for canceled and rescheduled classes is sent via email.
If another class is available at a later date, or if the class has been rescheduled, your class fee will automatically apply to the next class session unless the session is already full or you specifically request a refund. No refunds are given for changes to location or Instructor.
All students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of an adult.
We occasionally capture photos of students during our classes to use in promotional materials, online, and on social media platforms. By enrolling in a class, you are giving us permission to do so.