CNC Plasma versus CNC Laser machine???

[squale]

what are the advantages/disadvantages of a cnc laser versus cnc plasma machine?

and which one is more expensive?

can you put a router head on a cnc laser machine?

[jimcolt]

There are a lot of choices in plasma and with laser.

A 5 x 10 plasma machine with a 60 Amp air plasma (for cutting from gauge to 5/8")... expect tolerances of plus or minus .020" and cut speed on 1/2" steel around 45 inches per minute....can be purchased for around $18,000.

A similar sze machine with precision cutting capability and a high definition oxygen plasma (260 Amp)...which can provde cut part accuracies of plus or minus .010"...and will cut 1/2" carbon steel at 140 inches per minute....will sell for approximately $150,000.

A similar sized laser machine with a 3 kw laser, with the ability to hold plus or minus .005" tolerances, and will cut 1/2" carbon steel at about 25 inches per minute....would sell for approximatel $350,000.

There are a lot of different power levels, table sizes, tolerance capabilities. You really need to determine the thickness and types of material you want to cut....the speed that you would require to produce enough parts....the tolerances required for your parts....how much money you have to spend to purchase the machine...then how much money you want to spend to run the machine....then we can help you choose the correct system for your application....maybe plasma, may be laser, may be abrasive water jet......or may be a milling machine!

Jim

[squale]

generally speaking... how do these machines all compare to each other in price..

is it usually from cheapest to most expensive.??

plasma
waterjet
laser

[engraver26]

Originally Posted by squale what are the advantages/disadvantages of a cnc laser versus cnc plasma machine? and which one is more expensive? can you put a router head on a cnc laser machine?

HI you can not put a router head on a cnc laser machine,because there are different machine with different control system.

[livemott]

Accually, each of them has their own advantages

1. Plasma is just suitable for material that conduct electricity espcially for metal
2. Lazar machine has no such limit.
3. Lazer machine is more expensive than plasma machine. Some High power lazer machine can be very expensive

Waterjet machine is much better, because its price is similar to plasma and lower than lazer.
1. Lazer and plasma are both not suitable for material that easy to get fire.
2. Kerf of this two cutting method both terrible due to heat effect. .
3. Waterjet cutting has a speed only a little bit slow than lazer.

Waterjet cutting has more wide cutting scope. Metal, stone,marble,glass, ceramic,paper,rubber, plastic,food, etc.

[Torchhead]

Where is Magma-Joe when you need him?

[livemott]

Originally Posted by Torchhead Where is Magma-Joe when you need him?

Who is Joe? I remember a song "JAMBALAYA" sings "Good－bye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh."

[4R8]

livemott = one sighted subliminal seller/advertiser.

How can you compare the price of a plasma machine to that of a waterjet? initial purchase AND maintenance

[livemott]

A oh! I have been found! But I haven't denied I was a seller. I advertise for waterjet technology but not for my product here, isn't it?

I also operate waterjet machine, we have business in cutting service as well.

You are right, maitenance of waterjet machine is a problem in certain degrees for new user. It is evolving all the time, it's much better now and will be perfect in the future.