A plasma cutting machine is a machine tool that uses a high-energy plasma arc to cut through electrically conductive materials, such as metals. The plasma arc is created by heating a gas, such as air or argon, to a very high temperature using an electrical discharge. The high-energy plasma stream is then directed at the material to be cut, vaporizing or melting the material along the cutting path.

In a typical plasma cutting setup, a gas such as compressed air is forced through a small nozzle in the cutting torch. An electric arc is then created inside the nozzle between an electrode and the workpiece, raising the gas to the plasma state. This high-energy plasma stream is then directed at the workpiece, cutting through it with high speed and precision.

Plasma cutting machines can cut a wide range of materials, including metals like steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, and also nonmetallic materials like ceramics, plastics and composites. They can also cut materials in different thicknesses, and can be used for both straight and contoured cuts.

Plasma cutting machines are suitable for both manual and CNC (computer numerical control) operation, with the later one, it can produce precise, accurate cuts at high speeds. They are widely used in the metal fabrication, construction, and manufacturing industries, and are particularly well-suited for cutting large, thick sections of material.

Overall, plasma cutting machine is a type of machine tool that uses a high-energy plasma arc to cut through electrically conductive materials such as metals, can cut a wide range of materials and thicknesses, with manual or CNC operation, and is widely used in metal fabrication, construction and manufacturing industries.