In most technologies, smaller and more portable is the dominating trend and technologies for metal working are no different.

Hypertherm has just launched a new, completely portable, plasma cutting tool that takes the technology into the next generation.  Weighing 20 lbs (9 kg), the compact system can be easily carried by an operator around a work site in a way that was previously not possible.
“A look under the hood of Hypertherm’s latest generation 30 amp plasma arc cutting system (Powermax30) reveals a system that leverages advances in digital technologies and reduces material usage to a minimum, all aimed at taking metal cutting to new heights of efficiency, speed, and safety,” said Michael Kornprobst, senior engineer manager, Hypertherm
“Unlike previous plasma cutters that were dominated by more analog technologies that were slower and less precise, the latest generation of inverter-based plasma cutters is able to predict problems before they arise through the use of Digital Signal Processing Systems (DSPs),” he said.
“This system has better output control than its predecessors. DSP use allows for more efficient Power Factor Correction (PFC), boost converter current and voltage control, inverter arc control, and cooling fan control. The power factor of the machine is an efficient .98.”
The new tool comes with a high frequency half-bridge inverter for controlling the arc current and provides isolation from the mains through a compact high-frequency transformer that is compact, lighter and less expensive than previous generations of plasma cutters. Higher frequency switching along with innovative digital control enables quicker dynamic and steady state system response.
There is significant improvement of expanded metal cutting with optimisation of continuous pilot arc state transitions. This new plasma cutting generation has a maximum cut speed on expanded metal of 533 cm/min; about four times the max cut speed of previous generations.
The intelligence of the technology goes beyond output performance. The “brains” of the machinery have also reached new heights in protecting itself, thus making the machine safer and more reliable than ever before.
With its high powered DSP controller, the machine has a more dependable power flow and circuitry monitoring system. It conducts periodic system fault and “sanity” checks, correcting faulting systems while shutting down failing systems and protecting others.
The torch also comes with a snap-on deflector for added protection, eliminating nozzle arcing when edge starting. The cap has been designed with, and is made of, a material that is extremely robust and resistant to heat and physical abuse.
To make the unit smaller and more portable, various parts (such as the analogue components) were eliminated thanks to the use of a more efficient digital system, said Kornprobst. 
“Also, reducing the size and weight of magnetics in this design was a major focus; with the increase in the cost of magnetic components over the past few years (the price of copper has increased 60 per cent over the past year alone, for example), it was highly cost effective to reduce the size and weight of those components.
“The availability of materials like powdered cores and high flux density-low loss ferrites enables the reduction in cost and a reduction in the size and weight of magnetic components thus making the overall machine lighter and less expensive as well, though still able to put out more power than previous systems.”
While its predecessor had dimensions of 16 x 8.5 x 12 inches (406 x 216 x 305 mm) and weighed 55 lbs (25Kg), the Powermax30 is 50 per cent smaller and 70 per cent lighter weighing 20 lbs with dimensions of 12 x 6.6 x 14 inches (305 x 168 x 355 mm).
In addition to its virtually indestructible retaining cap, the torch has been designed to be much narrower than previous generations with the intention of enhancing cutting visibility and access.
Contact person: Yvette Leeflang. Tel: +31 (0) 165 596 924. HTEurope.info@hypertherm.com  www.hypertherm.com/eu
Agent in Saudi Arabia : Alruqee Industrial Marketing Co Ltd, PO Box 3657, AlKhobar 31952, Saudi Arabia. Tel : +966 3 8576383. Fax : +966 3 8577494.  mailbox1@alruqee.com www.alruqee.net. Location at the fair: Stall 1E51