View Full Version : Information on FastcutCNC plasma tables
westec 09-03-2007, 07:23 PM Has anyone seen or used one of these tables.
I am looking at my options to purchase a table and this company is located approx 4 hours away.
I think it would be wise to buy from a local MFG so it is easy to get support from them.
I am planning on running a Hypertherm 1650 as well as the Oxy Fuel system. I will be using the machine regularily but I am not looking for 8 hour days of production.
I would appreciate any feed back on this manufacturer.
Regards,
Richard
DSL PWR 09-05-2007, 08:36 PM Looks like they use Mach 3 for their control. I wouldn't be surprised if they are also using CandCNC's boards. I haven't seen anything bad about them, and bad always seems to get out before anything good! Go and check them out.
Where are you from? I've worked out of Drayton Valley, and Fox Creek.
grinder_gary 09-05-2007, 09:00 PM dsl_pwr
Where are you from. I'm in Edmonton and am setting up a table (slowly). Maybe can help each other or discuss issues
GG
Sorry but I have not heard anything bad about Fastcutcnc.
Mongkol 09-05-2007, 09:18 PM Hi dsl_pwr,
Please comment THC300. It's O.K. or not.
Cheers,
Mongkol
DSL PWR 09-05-2007, 10:02 PM dsl_pwr
Where are you from. I'm in Edmonton and am setting up a table (slowly). Maybe can help each other or discuss issues
GG
Sorry but I have not heard anything bad about Fastcutcnc.
Right now I live in Ft. Nelson BC. and my table is done I just need to figure out how to make all of the electronics work!
DSL PWR 09-05-2007, 10:03 PM Hi dsl_pwr,
Please comment THC300. It's O.K. or not.
Cheers,
Mongkol
I don't know yet...
westec 09-06-2007, 10:54 PM Well, here is what i found today after I got to Fastcut.
The machine appears to be very well made and is very solid.
The guys are great, so i bought one!!
they offered me an excellent deal on a 5x10. I will be picking it up next tuesday, the hypertherm will take about 2.5 weeks.
This will give me time to rearange my shop to accomodate the table and get it running(W/O torch)
If anyone is interested, I will update after delivery and give you my feedback.
Regards,
Richard
Torchhead 09-06-2007, 11:29 PM [QUOTE=westec;339913]Well, here is what i found today after I got to Fastcut.
The machine appears to be very well made and is very solid.
The guys are great, so i bought one!!
/QUOTE]
Now that is an in depth analysis! I think my wife uses that same approach for shoes.:)
Does it concern you just a little that you could walk in and buy one off the floor and pick it up in a week? All of the vendors I know are 4 to 10 weeks behind on orders. Maybe they don't know how to build tables as fast as Fastcut (thus their name)...then again maybe volume is not an indicator of features and price.
I was going to post a couple of other vendors in Canada that don't use proprietary software/hardware but obviously I paused too long :idea:
westec 09-07-2007, 11:30 AM Torchhead, it wasn't quite a "Shoe" decision. I have been looking for over a year at various machines.
They had the table in a Fabrication show in Edmonton and it had about 3 hours of run time on it. the grates were replaced and a new Hypertherm was ordered and will be dropped to my shop. the computor will be new as well. There are a few scuffs from the tarping and straps and if they were to sell for new they would need to repaint it. I was made an offer that i felt was very good so I bought it.
I spent the day kicking tires and running the machine. the entie machine is well built structurally, the interface is good and easy to use, the drives are servo not steppers.
The real clincher was I left home at 05:00 and was drinking coffee in their shop at 08:10. they stopped everything they were doing and spent the time to explane every question.
I will pick it up Wednesday bring it back and get it running after the plasma arrives I have a pile of work lined up and will give it a test.
They will spend the required time on Wed to train and have said to come back once the plasma arrives so i can have more training.(all included)
Enough said, these are great guys, very "Canadian" (friendly/polite) I will leave it to the machine to impress me.
Have a great day all.
Richard
grinder_gary 09-08-2007, 11:15 AM /QUOTE]
I was going to post a couple of other vendors in Canada that don't use proprietary software/hardware but obviously I paused too long :idea:[/QUOTE]
Well don't let that stop you, I would be interested as well as possibly others.
Thanks
GG
PlasmaGuy 09-09-2007, 01:29 PM I believe that at one time Fastcut was operating their system with Flashcut.
Torchhead 09-09-2007, 06:34 PM I believe that at one time Fastcut was operating their system with Flashcut.
I think they probably switched because Flashcut (even though it uses a proprietary pulsing card) drives conventional motor drive modules using step and dir. The "smart" motors don't run from Step & Dir. They only will use a derivitive of the software the motor Mfg provides.
Torchhead 09-09-2007, 06:39 PM Well don't let that stop you, I would be interested as well as possibly others.
Thanks
GG
CNC Cutting Solutions has moved over to our controls and MACH and is using our Digital THC on all their tables now. Their website needs to be updated but you can call and ask for Richard and he will confirm.
http://www.cnccuttingtable.com/
Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com
Jhawker 10-12-2007, 12:51 PM Speaking of Fastcut ... I just purchased a used G4 table with a THC300 and a computer with software loaded.. My problem is I have no manuals at all and no idea how to hookup the system. Since they only send one cable I will need to purchase the other parrall cables needed but I dont know exactly how the system hooks up .. any help would be appreciated ..
Thanks in advance for any help ..
PS. I am told by Fastcut that the controller was acquired from Testra Corp. I have contacted them for info but have not received a reply as of today.
Thanks again.
Torchhead 10-18-2007, 02:38 PM Speaking of Fastcut ... I just purchased a used G4 table with a THC300 and a computer with software loaded.. My problem is I have no manuals at all and no idea how to hookup the system. Since they only send one cable I will need to purchase the other parrall cables needed but I dont know exactly how the system hooks up .. any help would be appreciated ..
Thanks in advance for any help ..
PS. I am told by Fastcut that the controller was acquired from Testra Corp. I have contacted them for info but have not received a reply as of today.
Thanks again.
It shouldn't be too difficult. It's MACH 3 based so if you could find a MACH profile for it you would be 90% there. Depending on which port 1 breakout they used the pin configs can be different. The THC300 settings are available on our support group site at CandCNCSupport Yahoo Groups. It will cover the Port 2 pinouts. You can also download the THC300 manual form Campbell Designs site.
Don't know who Testra Corp is but the interface electronics for MACH should be pretty easy to figure out.
You might see if FastCut has any MACH3 profiles/screens on their support site.
Tom Caudle
www.candcnc.com
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