In this thesis, two metal thermal cutting methods – laser cutting and plasma cutting – are analyzed, with emphasis on their technical characteristics, areas of application, operating principles, historical development, and industrial implementation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The laser cutting process is thoroughly explained, including the working principles and different types of lasers. For each laser type, the components, excitation mechanisms, beam characteristics, and typical applications are analyzed in detail. The plasma cutting technology is also examined, including its historical development. Various plasma cutting methods are explained and illustrated, similar to the treatment of laser technologies. Key components of the plasma cutting system and the types of gases used are discussed, with a focus on their impact on cutting quality and processing speed. The practical part of the thesis demonstrates the production of a faculty logo using both laser and plasma cutting technologies. The complete process is described, showcasing the real-world application of theoretical knowledge in an industrial setting. The analysis and calculations covered a comparison of metal cutting speeds using plasma and laser, the electricity consumption during cutting, and ultimately the specific cost of electrical energy.

U ovom diplomskom radu analizirane su dvije metode toplinske obrade metala – lasersko i plazma rezanje – s naglaskom na tehničke karakteristike, područje primjene, principe rada, razvoj i industrijsku primjenu te prednosti i nedostatke svake metode. Detaljno su obješnjeni laseri, kako funkcioniraju i koje vrste postoje. Za svaki tip lasra analizirane su komponente, načini pobude, karakteristike laserskih zraka i područja primjene. Razmotrena je plazma tehnologija rezanja, uključujui njen povijesni razvoj. Kao i kod lasera, objašnjene su i prikazane različite metode plazma rezanja te su obrađeni ključni dijelovi sustava za plazma rezanje i vrste plinova koji se koriste uz naglasak na njihov utjecaj na kvalitetu i brzinu obrade. Praktičnim dijelom prikazala se izrada logotipa fakulteta korištenjem tehnolofije plazma rezanja i laserskog rezanja te je objašnjen cijeli proces što demonstrira praktičnu primjenu teorijskih znanja u stvarnom industrijskom okruženju. Analiza i proračun obradili su usporedbu brzinu rezanja metala plazmom i laserom, potrošnju električne energije kroz rezanje te u krajnosti konkretan trošak električne energije.