PLASMA CUTTING

This summer I learned a new technique - plasma cutting.
With the helpful instruction, equipment and shop supplied by Terry Johnston, I was able to materialize a vision I had of creating my small scale jewellery designs originally made from copper into large scale sculptural objects made out of steel.  I wanted to retain the rough blown out plasma edges and the rusty corroded surfaces of the steel juxtaposing that with a reflective interior gold surface.

The basic plasma cutting process involves creating an electrical channel of ionized gas i.e. plasma from the plasma cutter itself, through the work piece to be cut, thus forming a completed electric circuit back to the plasma cutter via a grounding clamp. This is accomplished by a compressed gas (oxygen, air, inert and others depending on material being cut) which is blown through a focused nozzle at high speed toward the work piece. An electrical arc is then formed within the gas, between an electrode near or integrated into the gas nozzle and the work piece itself. The electrical arc ionizes some of the gas, thereby creating an electrically conductive channel of plasma. As electricity from the cutter torch travels down this plasma it delivers sufficient heat to melt through the work piece. At the same time, much of the high velocity plasma and compressed gas blow the hot molten metal away, thereby separating i.e cutting through the work piece.

PLASMA STEEL STRUCTURE - Melody Armstrong, 2015, steel, gold paint, fabricated, plasma cut, 3 pieces:
51.5 x 43 x 8.5 cm.  $825;  36 x 30 x 7 cm.  $725;  36 x 30 x 7 cm.  $725

"Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong" at the Saskatchewan Craft Council's Affinity Gallery:

Currently on display at MATA GALLERY
Curvi : Linear • Contemporary Art Jewelry
October 24 - November 28, 2015
http://www.matagallery.ca/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=81