[lclore]

Hello Everyone-

I have been researching plasma cutters for a month and reading threads in this site all nite. I would kindly like to request feedback from the forum readers with experience in automated plasma cutting.

The need to cut both 6061 Aluminum and 316SS tube, with diameter ranging from 1.5" to possibly as high as 3.0". Wall thickness is always 0.065". Simply put, the cuts in the tube will be a recess for inserting a plastic molded part. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain a cut tolerance of +/-0.01" repeatability or better. The thin wall will not allow much of a bevel I would think. I can deal with a bevel so long as it is repeatable. Altering properties of material hardness resulting from the cutting process is not a concern. A dis-coloration around the cut-edge is tolerable so long as it is ~0.035" or less.

I spend most of my time in general purpose motion control for custom automated machines- this is good in that I'm not worried about material presentation to the torch... but this is bad in that I have no idea how to select & buy a plasma cutter. My research leads me to believe that Thermal Dynamics & Hypertherm have very nicely engineered solutions for automated cutting equipment & have systems that can meet the requirements. Both companies have been very professional in my contact with them.

I don't know if I can do it with a standard unit or if High Definition is absolutely required to stay with in the repeatability tolerances.

This is a small company (3 employees- me, myself & I) and I am banking heavily on the success of the product that this cutter will produce- pull this off & I have the better mousetrap over my offshore competition. Stimulus $ went elsewhere... and I am stuck balancing cost against a prudent equipment selection. A High Definition Cutter is not out of the question, but I need to understand why that's a requirement to the need better.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses.

Lee