Oxygen CuttingFlame cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, fuel gas cutting and oxygen cutting are terms that are generally used for the same process. Of all the terms used oxygen cutting best describes how the process operates. In oxygen cutting, the metal is heated to its ignition temperature and then a jet of pure oxygen is added which reacts with the metal creating the cut. Originally developed in the beginning of the 20th century, and while the basics of the process hasn't really changed over the years there has been significant improvements in equipment design. The process is very versatile and can be used both manually or built as a machine with either single or multiple torches for higher operating efficiencies. Although a worker can be trained in a short time to make acceptable cuts with the process, considerable skill is necessary to produce cut surfaces suitable for welding. The equipment for this process is also relatively cheap and portable. As profile cutting machines become more program controlled a good understanding of computers is also becoming advantageous.
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