Earth tech on SG1 and SGU: Plasma cutters

[Jeff-B]

I'm beginning to think Stargate is set just slightly beyond present day. Specifically the use of plasma cutters. In SG1 they appeared a few times to cut through locked doors and such, and portrayed pretty realistically. Their use in SGU's Water, however, seemed a bit strange. Although I'm sure they would cut through ice, a plasma cutter( or at least every one I have used or even seen) requires high amperage electricity, compressed air in some form, and a ground( work lead) connected to the object being cut. They may have had a small tank of compressed air, but it would have taken quite a substantial battery to get the amperage required to cut something that thick. If there was a ground cable, it wasn't shown.

[Ed]

one of those mini naquada reactors that powers the X699 would work

[Jeff-B]

That's true, you got me there. Their use was realistic in SG1, the Miller Spectrum 1251 is capable of cutting 1-1/4 inch thick steel neatly, and about 1-3/4 inch steel not so neatly making it very plausible to cut through a bulkhead door. That machine is commercially available right now in real life.

I just like the fact that a science fiction show uses real current earth technology.

[morrismike]

That's true, you got me there. Their use was realistic in SG1, the Miller Spectrum 1251 is capable of cutting 1-1/4 inch thick steel neatly, and about 1-3/4 inch steel not so neatly making it very plausible to cut through a bulkhead door. That machine is commercially available right now in real life.

I just like the fact that a science fiction show uses real current earth technology.

You can't cut ice with a plasma cutter or air arc torch. These devices work on metal because a large amperage is developed using a very small voltage. The i2r losses melt the metal being cut. Last time I checked water is a very poor conductor of electricity.

[IcarusAbides]

That's true, you got me there. Their use was realistic in SG1, the Miller Spectrum 1251 is capable of cutting 1-1/4 inch thick steel neatly, and about 1-3/4 inch steel not so neatly making it very plausible to cut through a bulkhead door. That machine is commercially available right now in real life.

I just like the fact that a science fiction show uses real current earth technology.

Such as Eli's iphone.

[escyos]

maybe they are some type of specialised equipment that they just call a plamsa cutter


OR MAYBE PEOPLE SHOULD STOP PICKING AWAY AT THE TINY LITTLE THINGS THE WRITERS GET WRONG. LAST TIME I CHECKED NO ONE IS PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flyboy]

The military and govenment's level of technology is ALWAYS several years, perhaps a decade infront of that which the public are aware of. Your average squaddie might not be using it, but it certainly exists. So obviously, can't exactly comment with regards to the plasma cutters specifically, but a little leeway in tech levels is acceptable imo.

[Serenity000]

then why does the SGC still use the same blinking lights from the 1990's

[Crazy Tom]

then why does the SGC still use the same blinking lights from the 1990's

The military is still using some equipment as old as WW2, the appropriate phrase here seems to be "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[Guest750]

then why does the SGC still use the same blinking lights from the 1990's

For the same reason Nasa uses floppy disks? It costs to much to update.

[AVFan]

For the same reason Nasa uses floppy disks? It costs to much to update.

They really still use floppys? Somebody probably forgot to tell them the 90's are over, most likely...

[garhkal]

Na.. they felt flopies were a save way to ride out y2k/.

[IcarusAbides]

There's the ipod dock Rush brought through with him.

[lordofseas]

then why does the SGC still use the same blinking lights from the 1990's

Why replace something that works perfectly fine.

[Steelbox]

Why replace something that works perfectly fine.

True.
Also the .50 M2 Browning Machine Gun is also in use in the SGC Gate Room tough it was conceived in early 1900.