"Which brand CNC plasma? I want a turnkey solution."

[gibbonsm]

Hello Team

I joined this Board to help me in sourcing my first CNC plasma cutter. I will be doing "high mix & very low volume" production for my HOBBY. In the Engineering world this would be a prototype support tool. I plan on cutting 1/2" or less mild steel 99.99% of the time. Approximately 4'x8' capacity and good vertical height control. I also prefer to use my PC via a standard interface (USB, serial, parallel, et alia) I'm looking for value which I define as "Quality divided by Cost" :-)

Although I'm formally trained as an Electrical Engineer, I want to plug this machine in and "use it" to cut parts (period). I want to drag and drop DXF from any number of software packages. I'm not hung up on "open vs. closed" architecture and all that STUFF. When I need a water pump for my Ford Expedition, I go and buy a Ford water pump and not an adapter to allow a small block Chevy water pump to bolt up to my Ford :-) I want plug and play with factory tech support.

Please help me to "get it right the first time". Thank you!

Warmest regards,

Mike Gibbons
Sugar Land, Texas
gibbons.mike@comcast.net

[xjdubber]

its really hard to say which is the best, take a look at the torchmate tables. sounds like a good solution for you.

[twierzbicki]

Check out the Koike.com website for some of the best equiptment, like an unbeatable 3 D Link Bevel

[minkteched]

Gibbons,

I am also looking for a turn key solution for my cnc plasma cutting needs. I am wondering if you decided on a company yet? Do you have any companies you would not go with?

[Edwardo]

I was at the point where you are at now 1.5 years ago, and ended up buying a 4x8 Dynatorch with a 1250 Hypertherm last spring, couldnt be happier with it and the support. Corel 3x, Sheetcam, Dynatorch is what i use. There web site is www.dynatorch.com

EDD

[abrasiveaddict]

By far the komatsu rasor cnc plasma is the best. Just purchased a komatsu Twister with 96" x 240" bed with 1 3/4" capabilities. They make smaller affordable units for job shops but, if you need full bore production look @ above, quality is excellent.

[dcp]

i also would prefer turn key small plasma table ,.
anyone have any info on chinnese made equipment. as i,m as close to china as the States.
i need the machine as hobby and have only single phase 240 volts electricity supply.
I m new to this forum so i would appreciate your help.
I possibily dont have enough knowledge about the electical side to build my own , but I'm open minded.
Thanks
DCP

[jimcolt]

There is a list of cnc cutting machine manufacturers on the Hypertherm website....Hypertherm sells their plasma systems to almost all cutting table manufacturers. here is a link that list N. American manufacturers of cutting machines:
https://www.hypertherm.com/Xnet/hypr/locator/oem.jsp

There are a lot of variations in Plasma/CNC machine capability...from hobby class small machines to high end industrial machines.....the prices can range from $2500 (US) to over a milion dollars! Cut part accuracy, metalurgy of the cut edge, thickness, type of material and duty cycle...as well as plate size all need to be taken into account before a machine can be recommended for your application.

best regards, Jim Colt

[slammedxonair]

I run a dynatorch and hypertherm 1250 and its amazing

[johntm]

Yep, I like the Dynatorch, but I haven't used anything else.

If you are looking for turnkey, you'll benefit greatly from someone who answers their phones, offers training, and supports what they sell. Two days of class and a little experimenting on my own and I'm confident enough to tackle most anything I need to cut. Most of my parts are one-offs, and the time from idea to part is getting really short. Now it takes me longer to CAD a part than cut it.

[Firebass]

I have the Dyntorch retro kit system. Its a kit that has all the servo motors, Torch height unit, the main x,y,z controller, all cables needed, software and free tech help. They're Software is simple to learn. I built my own table and gantry because I was on a budget. Great support from techs and they're always available. Personally I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a turn key table from Dynatorch if I were in the market.

Firebass

[ALLtra Mach]

Well?
Lol?
What'd you buy?