Having never used a CNC plasma cutter and being a pessimist causes me to always think about all the what if’s before building in an attempt to create a solution to a problem that might not even exist lol. In any case, the theory is to prevent the torch from adding stress to the torch lead as well as preventing the torch consumables from taking a bath in the event it pops off and falls into an opening. That’s how the hamster rolls around in my head
You do bring up a point that requires a lot more head scratching with regards to splash shield. Not sure what the lightest solution would be but I’m not ruling out making a wooden mold to form a shield out of fiberglass. Possibilities are limitless but my patients at times is not.