Taking the leap to a Cnc Plasma rig. Help me decide

[Kanman]

Hey all first post on the board. Soon I will be taking the plunge and purchasing my first CNC Plasma Cutting Table, and I would very much like opinions on what to buy, or what not to buy. I am pretty much set on buying a new Hypertherm 1000. Probably overkill, but my current unit is smaller, and I have often wished to cut 1" and have never been able to do so.

Have narrowed down my choices to the PlasmaCam or Torchmate units. These are in the price range I am willing to afford. I have seen + and - for both units, and am totally "stuck" as to which unit to go with. Or, am I missing something better all together? This table will probably not be used on a day to day basis at first, but I certainly want something that can grow with me. I do have a welding background, but ZERO CNC experience, so my learning curve may be longer than most on this site. Basically I want something that is as idiot proof as possible.

All comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

[Torchhead]

What criteria are you using in your evaluation? Is it strictly cost? How close the factory is to your house? Do some reading in this section of the forum. Understand the terminology.

If you are looking for a magic push-a-button-and-cut it is no wonder PlasmaCAM is on your list. They prey on guys that have Zero CNC experience knowing that you probably harbor a fear of technical stuff and computers. The less you know the better they like it. The best thing about their machine is their marketing and their DVD. No matter what anybody says, IT AIN"T THAT SIMPLE. Now, it's not rocket science, but it's harder than tiddly winks.

BTW a Hypertherm won't cut 1" steel with any kind of quality. It will look like you cut it with a axe. It won't pierce that thick (or even 3/4") so you have to start from an edge. Even a 1650 is lothe to cut much more than 3/4 under CNC control.

Make your learning investment in time rather than buying a sick pig and trying to nurse it to bring home the bacon!

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com
www.FourhillsDesigns.com

[Kanman]

Tom, thank you for the quick reply, this is the exact kind of reply I was hoping for. I am in no way computer ignorant (at least not PC ignorant), nor am I scared to jump into any kind of new technical "stuff". The newest version of Corel Draw has always lived on my computer since the first few versions, and I know a vector image from a raster. What I don't have is the $$$$ to throw away on a huge mistake, hence my posting on this forum. What I was doing was being honest and knowing that I will learn much more by keeping my mouth shut (fingers still) and my ears open. I am in no hurry to buy any machine, my decision will only be made after much self education, and not the words of a salesman or DVD. Been there done that...

One of the biggest reasons PlasmaCam is/was on my list is their fairly close vicinity to me, under 500 miles. The staff there did take the time to talk to me and answer all my questions. No others have taken the time to return my calls or answer my emails as of yet.

Now that I know what wont work... What does?

[Torchhead]

If you go back in this list and look at some of my posts you will see that I advocate designs that are built around open components. I also am a great fan of MACH3 as a machine controller using a PC. I typically counsel not to get involved in a system that paints you into a single vendor corner (eg one where their electronics, or motors and drives only work with their control software). When things come wrapped up in a neat little package and the only source is that one vendor your options now and in the future are limited.

The personal computer world evolved because there are multiple choices for hardware, software and languages. There have been successful (aka Apple) single source products but just as many unsuccessful ones on the scrap heap of time.

Every brand of machine has it's groupies and protestors. There is also a rationalization process that takes place and keeps the buyer of higher dollar equipment from wanting to abmit they maybe could have done better (:-)

I often get asked (on list and off) what brand I recommend. I try not to get specific and I point out I am biased since I sell controls for open systems. I typically point them to a short list and then tell them to research and ask questions. I think one feature on the top of the checklist should be the after sale support and the vendors track record of dealing with issues.

I do have a CNC steel cutting business and so it's not like I haven't seen almost every problem you can have.

The systems that are "open" (or could be made to be open by some upgrades) are:

EZ-Router
DynaCNC
Practical CNC
Torchmate

There may be others (others are welcome to post to this list) but only if you can change any of the three aspects of CNC without the other two. Those are: CAD-Drawing ->CAM (toolpath specifically for plasma) -> Machine Control (Controller).

Some of those vendors may have other negative aspects (poor QC, poor support, etc) but they are brands built around common controls and software and can be changed to meet specific needs. I hestiate to include Pracitcal in that list since their design uses a proprietary control software and PCI plug-in card and they have a dismal past record of poor support and quality issues. Their THC is a joke, but you can use their control cabinet, motors and PC and upgrade it to one that will run another software controller.

I invite you to join the support group (CandCNCSupport) on yahoo groups and pickup all kinds of tidbits about plasma cutting. It is a narrow view of the Home Shop CNC (HSCNC) world according to "Tom" but it is yet another resource.

Above all we welcome you to the exciting world of CNC and plasma cutting!

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[TMT89523]

If you want to cut 1" and thicker keep in mind the oxy option torchmate offers.

[astromybud]

Torchhead,
Is the thickness you are speaking of specificaclly connected to the Hypertherm? If so, is there a plasma system that will cut over 3/4? Or at that thickness is the kerf getting too much of an angle?

Currious
Astromybud

[Perp]

they advertise plasmas that cut more than 1 inch, but the quality of the cut is poor and on a plasma table the thickness capacity is reduced also (by 50% I think i was told) because of the inability to angle the torch on piercing. someone stop me if i am wrong here.

[monk_egram]

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FABTECH/AWS
October 31 – November 2, 2006

Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA

MegaFab – Whitney, Piranha, Bertsch – 9040
All three MegaFab brands will have a strong showing FABTECH. Stop to see a 3400 XP punch/plasma combination, a variety of ironworkers, a press brake, a Bertsch display, a full line of tooling…and much more!

For exposition information go to www.fmafabtech.com, www.sme.org/fabtech, or www.aws.org.