Plasma or laser? Both CNC tools use physics to turn raw sheet metal into precise parts — but they do it in very different ways. 🔹 CNC Plasma Cutting Uses an electrical arc + compressed air to create a jet of ionized gas (plasma) hot enough to melt metal. Great for thicker steel, fast cuts, rugged applications, and lower cost setups. 🔹 CNC Laser Cutting Uses a focused laser beam—essentially concentrated light—to vaporize material with extreme precision. Ideal for detail work, thin metals, engraving, and clean edges. Why this matters in STEM: CNC tools bring together electrical engineering, materials science, thermodynamics, optics, and computer-aided manufacturing. They’re how students jump from digital design → real-world parts. Behind every smooth cut is: • G-code (machine instructions) • Controlled motion on X/Y axes • Heat-affected zones • Material properties (conductivity, reflectivity, melting point) If you’ve ever wondered how industry turns CAD files into physical compone...