Im ready to purchase a plasma table budget between 20-30k. Am I better off purchasing a used industrial machine like a MG or ESAB or a brand new such as a dynatorch. I Currently outsource 50K+ a year in laser cutting and feel I if bring it in house via plasma for a significant cost savings and better lead times. I only run 1 shift and most material we plan to cut is 1/4"-1/2". usage would be abotu 40 hours per week. Is it worth upgrading to high-def plasma unit such as an inner logic or hypertherm? I look forward to any opinions

Laser versus plasma. Laser cleanup is nearly zero while plasma can involve considerable cleanup. Please take this into consideration.

It must of been my laser cutter because I had to clean up my parts all the time

I don't know what kind of cutting you're gonna do, but In my opinion... Plasma is not the ideal method for cutting "parts"
I mean, artsy stuff like signs and things where tolerance is not an issue are great. But I do alot of cutting for vehicles where the tolerance has to be a consideration and I hate it. I'd much rather cut the artsy stuff that has more forgiveness that the parts I cut. I feel I can't compete with the laser and Hi-def guys.

I've been looking at the Hi-Def plasma cutting systems and the difference in cut quality is huge.... of course so is the difference in price... for me anyways.

Well the quotes I got for a 100-200 amp high def unit is about $25k and when you can a table for 10k, 35k for a high def setup inst bad

Yeah that's about the price I got too, but to me... it's a bit too high right now.

Scratch, you hit the nail on the head on high def v. reg plasma.

Even with a fine tuned plasma compared to high defintion the prep work required is rather large. Time = $$$

And as Howitt mentions the high def is > $$$

The accuracy of your table is very important too. I would not even consider high def on my 6 y/o Torchmate.

Ive consider building servo / ballscrew table my self running mach 3 with the innerlogic setup. I would have between 35-40k in that setup.

Innerlogic power source combined with the Dynatorch controls would make a nice match.

I have the Hypertherm 1650 and it'll cut like crazy but is definitely nothing when compared to high-def.

I believe fiber optic controls would be required due to the RF issues that come with the higher amperage machines.

I recall that Innerlogic and or Hypertherm are rather picky about the table on which there high-def equipment will be paired, i.e. the tolerances that the table can hold or not hold are directly related to cut quality.

Also I've heard that with the Hi-def torches, you need a table that has two drive motors for the bridge, one on each side, or you will see every gear movement in the cut.

howitt, take a look at Torch Mates web site. On their home page under Editorials > About Machine Accuracy > EXPLODING THE MACHINE ACCURACY MYTH. Was a pretty good little article to read. Here is a direct link http://www.torchmate.com/accuracy/index.htm