Plasma Cutting Services
CMDI offers plasma cutting services for carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel plate using a high-temperature, ionized gas stream to deliver clean, efficient cuts. This process is ideal for parts with complex geometry, tight tolerances, and thinner materials—especially when speed, accuracy, and final finish matter.
Based in Ivanhoe, Virginia, we work with manufacturers, fabricators, and machine shops across the Appalachian region, delivering quick turnarounds and consistent results across industrial applications.
Custom Plasma Cuts from CMDI
See what we’ve built. Visit our Metal Cutting Project Gallery for more custom-cut parts and precision work. View Full Gallery →
What Is Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting (or plasma arc cutting) is a metal fabrication process that uses a high-temperature, high-velocity jet of ionized gas (plasma) to melt and cut electrically conductive materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The plasma torch creates an arc between an electrode and the material, producing a superheated, focused stream capable of slicing through conductive metals with speed and accuracy.
Benefits of plasma cutting include:
-
Precision cuts in thinner and mid-thickness metals
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Cleaner edges after cutting
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Faster cutting speed than oxyfuel (for thin plates)
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Compatibility with carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum
- Ability to cut complex shapes or nested parts
Where Plasma Technology Excels
CMDI recommends plasma cutting for:
- Material thickness under 2 inches
- Carbon steel and stainless steel components
- Complex geometries or curved profiles
- Projects requiring faster turnaround or repeatability
- Applications where edge quality and reduced cleanup matter
Typical use cases included custom brackets, plates, panels, flanges, and machinery parts used in fabrication shops, OEM builds, construction and field installations throughout the southwest Virginia region.
Explore oxyfuel cutting capabilities for additional precision metal cutting services.
CMDI's Plasma Capacity & Tolerances
Our in-house plasma cutting services are built for speed, precision, and repeatable accuracy when fabricating parts from carbon and stainless steel. We handle everything from one-off parts to production runs with quality assurance at every step.
CMDI's plasma cutting capabilities include:
- Plasma cutting for carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel
- Carbon steel thickness range: 0.018" to 2-1/2"
- Aluminum thickness range: 0.040" to 2"
- Stainless steel thickness range: 0.036" to 2"
- Maximum table cutting capacity: 11' x 22'
- Cutting geometries: holes, slots, nested parts, and complex profiles
| Maximum Table Cutting Capacity | Carbon Steel Thickness | Aluminum Thickness | Stainless Steel Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11' x 22' | .018" to 2-1/2" | .040" to 2" | .036" to 2" |
Looking for precision plasma or oxyfuel cutting in Virginia or neighboring states? CMDI is equipped to serve businesses across the region with fast turnaround and high-quality results.
| Maximum Table Cutting Capacity |
|---|
| 11' x 22' |
| Carbon Steel Thickness |
| .018" to 2-1/2" |
| Aluminum Thickness |
| .040" to 2" |
| Stainless Steel Thickness | .036" to 2" |
Looking for precision plasma or oxyfuel cutting in Virginia or neighboring states? CMDI is equipped to serve businesses across the region with fast turnaround and high-quality results.
Plasma Cutting vs. Oxyfuel Cutting:
Which is right for your project
CMDI offers both plasma cutting and oxyfuel cutting services to meet a variety of industrial needs. Here's a quick comparison based on our in-house capabilities:
| Factor | Oxyfuel Cutting | Plasma Cutting |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Thick carbon steel (1/4" to 12") | Thin to medium gauge metal (.018" to 2.5") |
| Material types | Carbon steel only | Carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel |
| Max thickness | Up to 12" | Carbon: 2.5″ • Aluminum: 2″ • Stainless: 2″ |
| Cutting table size | 11′ x 22′ | 11′ x 22′ |
| Cut quality | Rugged, heat-affected edge | Cleaner edges, minimal dross |
| Precision | Less suitable for intricate cuts | High repeatability for nested parts and complex geometries |
Not sure which method is right for your job? Contact CMDI to discuss your material, tolerance, and volume requirements. Our team will recommend the best-fit cutting method.
Not sure which metal cutting method is right for your job?
We're happy to help you choose the most efficient, cost-effective approach based on your material, part geometry, and production needs.
View our capability statement →
Located in Ivanhoe, VA, we proudly serve customers across Wythe County, Pulaski County, and the broader Appalachian region.