CNC Plasma help

[kia94]

I am looking for info on cnc plasma cutters. I need a 6' by 10' cutting capacity and depth capability ranging from 10 gauge to 1.5". Who makes the best machines and how much am I going to spend on consumables? Also, do I need a drier of some kind?

[Teknition]

There are turn key cnc plasma machines for $10,000 and there are machines that are $100,000+. If you lead your question with your budget for a machine, it will be alot easier for people to narrow down your options. I can tell you that you wont be cutting 1.5" plate on a 10,000 table unless you are flame cutting it. I can also tell you that plasma needs clean, dry air or you will be going thru alot more consumables than necessary.

Brad

[navy80to04]

Table Cut size 5' by 9'. 16 ga to 1.5" with plasma mach, auto torch z, servos and computer $20000.00 . air compressor $1500.00 17cfm 80gal 175psi 100% duty. The Reg to drop psi from 175 to 110 psi w/water sep and filter $120. My air Dryer is an old freg with copper colls in it. Works Great very dry air. Plasma inner tips run about $15 and outside tips $5. will get 150 starts with tips 14ga 4'x8' sheet I been cutting deer in the woods. , ,, YOU will need 200 amp power to your setup, 100 to 120 amps 1 ph to plasma cutter, rest to aircompressor & lights and outlets. close to $30,000. 00 to get going from nothing. Got a shop, nice start. 3 ph works better on the plasma cutter, less amps needed. and your plasma cutter will cut longer, I think my cutter will cut 70 or 80 % duty on 1 ph power. 100% on 3 ph. I only have 1 ph. ... 3 ph cost a lot to put in.

[Torchhead]

You might want to re-visit the requirements for 1.5 inch cuts with plasma CNC. It's going to add a lot of $$ to the cost. If you shoot for something like 3/4 inch max then your cost will go down and choices go up. The alternative is to build or buy a machine that will also do oxy-fuel. It's not hard but buy from someone that has done it. Outside the capacity of the table to support the weight the only difference in cutting thick vs sheet material is in the capacity of the plasma cutter. You have to look at not only the raw cut capacity but also the piercing capacity at 90 degs and the duty cycle.

TOMcaudle
www.candcnc.com

[navy80to04]

Yep, my will cut 1.5" but it will only do that starting on the side of the steel. over 3/4" I need to drill a hole and start a cut on the side or just cut from the edge.

[jimcolt]

If you need to pierce 1.5".....you need a 260 Amp oxygen plasma....if you are edge starting you can get by with a 100 to 130 plasma.....although at a decreeased duty cycle. If you can limit piercing to 3/4"...you can get by with an 85 amp plasma.

What you speend on consumables will depend on 1. What plasma brand and model you purchase, 2. What is your average cut duration per pierce. 3. What is your normal cut materials and thickness.

A Hypertherm high definition plasma can provide up to 6000 starts on a single set of consumables. These plasma systems can cost in the range of $30k to $75k just for the plasma. An air plasma system can get 400 to 1200 starts on a set of consumabels....and you can buy an 85 amp air plasma for $4000. The $75k high definition plasma has a much lower "cost per foot of cut" as compared to an air plasma.

Bottom line.....your questions can be answered, but more details about what you are cutting in terms of materials types and thickness, the level of productivity (a few parts a day....or 3 shifts a day 7 days a week high production), do you have three phase power, what is more important: operating cost or capital equipment cost.


Jim Colt

Originally Posted by kia94 I am looking for info on cnc plasma cutters. I need a 6' by 10' cutting capacity and depth capability ranging from 10 gauge to 1.5". Who makes the best machines and how much am I going to spend on consumables? Also, do I need a drier of some kind?