MACH3 is the only affordable solution that has integrated THC logic that incorporates THC into the toolpath. Show me any system that has anti-dive, dynamic pierce delay (based on Arc Good) anti-pierce dive, and constant velocity cutting and awareness of the Z height at all times for less than $5000 addtional.
The process of specific cutting is primarily a CAM operation. MACH3 is the controller that takes g-code and spins the motors. By chosing a CAM program like SheetCAM that has plasma specific features (auto lead-in's/out's of four different types, separate pierce height and cut height,etc) you can optimize how the process operates.
Some of the vendors play to the target plasma group knowing that many are not "CNC guys" and are not as sophisticated/technical as other CNC users. Some would have you believe you just import a picture of what you want, press a couple of buttons and the machine will cut it out.
The whole point of common systems (open) is that you are free to choose any Drawing-CAM-Control system combination you want and change any piece without bringing in the forklift. Since these are systems being used by a lot of other users you open up different sources of support.
If you monitor the MACH support (actually done on yahoo and through their
www.machsupport.com site) with the 5000+ members you would notice that questions get answered quickly and correctly and bug reports and feature requests are taken seriously. As for complaints......huh? Biggest complaints I hear are form the vendors of other high priced packages that wish MACH and it's users would just go away!
For our products we answer questions about not only our equipment but for MACH and SheetCAM and other pieces as well. Our interest is in seeing the user be able to use their machine and to move from idea to finished piece in the most efficient way.
Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com www.FourhillsDesigns.com [commercial decorative plasma cutting]