Of course you can buy industrial THC/IHS systems....you will spend a lot of money but 30+ years of thinking, design and field experience has already been accomplished...these systems are reliable under harsh 3 shift conditions.
There is no reason that a DIYer cannot build pretty much all of the features that are in the proven industrial systems.
Much of the cost of commercial systems is in additional features that allow them to interface to hundreds (actually probably thousands) of different combinations of plasma/cnc controls and cutting machine designs.....with different operating software and up to 8 plasma torches that need to have synchronized starting. Add to this machines that have full rotating bevel heads that can countour parts at high speed with up to 50 degree beveled edges (height control gets real complicated when beveling as you are now in the 3D world!). So cost is in the design and support.....but also the z axis slide/torch lifter assembly for industrial machines is generally very robust...and designed to handle splashback of plasma cutting slurry from water table applications...as well as carrying the weight of the heavy industrial torch and lead sets.
I'm certainly excited about helping the DIY segment build full featured height controls....and I would like to see more focus on the IHS/pierce height segemnt of this type of development as it is the best next step to improving the cut quality and consumable life of the plasma process.
Jim  |