Looking to buy a NEW Cnc plasma table

[Torchhead]

Ed you just helped support my advice on multivendor open systems (:-). You were able to get a solution within a short time with a third party package that only costs $159.00! We see similar responses from the development team at MACH3. When I wanted some added plasma features a few weeks ago it did take a couple of days, but they were included in the next development release that gets updated at least once a week.

The "less expensive" was just one advantage. Being integrated with the software (toolpath) is another big plus.

Buyers of the the THC for MACH (MP1000-THC) get direct support from me for the entire "triad" I recommend: CorelDraw, SheetCAM and MACH3. We send setup files for each of those with the unit so you don't have to hunt around to try and figure out how it all works. We have a canned post that works with MACH and the THC and does our "touch-n-go" surface referencing.

The biggest portion of support I find is not in the software but more about how to use an automated plasma and get good cuts. I end up answering things like what tips to use, what feedrates, what is the best pierce height, what is the best cut height, feedrate and target volts, etc. I even end up answering all kinds of CNC questions and I am happy to do so.

When you deal with a vendor that uses the open products it affords the user the opportunity to get multiple layers of support. I use SheetCAM on a daily basis and was actually the person that worked with Les to put in the plasma features and did all of the testing during development. I have been working with the products from Art (MACH3) for almost 4 years.

Now if you could get DynaTorch to use an open controller and conventional servo drives/motors then you could have ALL of the options I listed (:-o

Honestly, If you are happy, I am happy. I don't give advice just to try and generate sales. I really do want there to be lots of satisfied "torchheads" out there. I get a level of self-satisfaction out of seeing other guys cutting steel with a 30,000 deg flame!

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[edwardpic]

Hey Tom,
Thanks, I am sure Ill have some torch height-voltage questions for you. None of my responses were aimed at you. I like the fact your willing to help everyone, or at least give them good honest info.
Yes, Dynatorch wanted $1,900 for their nesting software, and when i declined and said I wanted Sheetcam they were very happy to get the needed files. I actully asked Will at Dyna if he was ever going to use open source and he said they had been looking into it. Im just glad for now that I can use Sheetcam, very easy program, and very very cost effective.
Now, I need to find a cheap rastor to vector software to import shapes and transfer out into DXF. Ofcourse with minimal tweaking and re-drawing of the part. The fun part begins in changing all my 2005 DWG files with dimensions into DXF part only. This will take awhile seeing how I have over 100 drawings for my 2 companies. Fun Fun, but nothin better then to create and burn some metal!!!

Ed