$15k for PlasmaCAM? Any other options for Israel?

[activefarming]

I recently moved to Israel and I'm looking to purchase a CNC plasma cutting machine.

So far I've only found one model in stock in Israel for sale, a PlasmaCAM for $14,659. They can get me a Samson system (bigger PlasmaCAM) for $22,076. (Plus 15.5% sales tax, which I would hope to get refunded from the tax authority.)

I've inquired about overseas shipping from Torchmate and PlasmaRoute but haven't heard about the shipping cost yet.

Customs tax should not be a problem as I have some exceptions from just moving here.

Does anyone have any other suggestions on where to get a similar unit? Any European or China companies that would be worth looking into?

Another option would be to build my own system but I don't know if that would be worth the time considering some items are hard to come by in Israel...

[cowleym]

Hi
I wold be very happy to try and sell you a plasma machine. We are a UK based manufacturer and offer a broad range of machines. Please have a look at the following websites
www.techserv.co.uk
www.bluemarlin.biz

or have a look on ebay at the following items 300319641773 300314177621

I have some new pictures for the small machine that I will put up when the current ebay ad ends, please see attached.

regards

Mike

[activefarming]

cowleym, impressive looking machines!

Not sure if it's correct but the ebay listing says free shipping to Israel?

You machines seem reasonable priced considering what is offered. I think for me, too much is offered. I would like to use my own computer and plasma cutter. I also don't think I need a touch screen although, it's probably nice.

My thought is that I'm probably going to have to buy some sort of kit and make my own table.

Is there a way your company could put together a package that would fit my needs more?

[cowleym]

Hi yes I think the shipping is a mistake.

Yes we would be happy to put a package together to suit you.
The machine will run off a laptop using a mouse rather than a toch screen.
What type of plasma do you have and what cutting area / thickness to you want to cover?

Cheers

Mike

It may be an idea to email me directly rather than cluttering up the forum.

Mike@techserveng.com

[Torchhead]

Perhaps it's a language issue, but calling the drag-on-the-metal roller ball an "Automatic Torch Height Control" is a real stretch. In most of the world ATHC refers to the Z as being controlled electronically and maintains (variable) height through Arc voltage feedback. Maybe it's hidden, but I don't see a Z motor at all. The other tables mentioned in the post all have, or offer, true Torch Height Control and initial Height Sensing (IHS). The Arc Gap for most cutting is from 1 to 3 mm. Feed rates for thinner materials can be as high as 300 IPM. Dragging roller balls around at those rates and dealing with the fallout from internal cuts proves less the "automatic" The pierce should be made at a different height than cutting or you will go through consumables at a rapid rate.

What a table looks like (cosmetic) may attract the buyer, but in the long run it's the precision of the mechanics (and reliability) with the electrical and electronics that let you turn out work that is profitable. It's the stuff you can't see that will cause you the most headache. Being in Israel the buyer needs to consider what happens if something breaks or stops working. Designs that are proprietary (only one source of support and parts) will present a challenge. If your machine won't run and cut correctly, you might as well spend the money on a nice big screen TV and get some entertainment.

If you have never cut with a CNC plasma before you don't know the things you really need in a machine until you already have it.

At least if you build your own you have the skill set to add the things you want and to be you own on-site support!

A lot of the decision process needs to be the intended use of the equipment. You pick different things to cut big shapes out of thick metal versus lots of internal detailed cuts in thin material or decorative type jobs. Not that you can't get both out of one machine, but you need to know the features that are critical to each process.

TOM Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[cowleym]

Hi Tom

Yes it may be a language thing, I think the "Automatic Torch Height Control" refers to the fact the head goes up and down via computer control. I would call a motorised arc voltage control head 'AVC' , we can fit one of those to the Blue Marlin at a cost of £800, however you still wouldn't be able to see the motor 'cause we would stick it round the back under a cover.
The Blue Marlin that the "Automatic Torch Height Control" is fitted to, is designed specifically for the HVAC market, lots of big shapes, fast cuts, along with close togerther slats gives very little trouble cutting at 12m/min. We find that the AVC in these cases is more trouble than the rollerbell as you have to have a very fast head and the risk of instability. We accept the reduced consumable life in these circumstances, but still get 2 or 3 days per set. Our AVC heads are set from the cnc automatically with the correct pierce and cut heights and the consumable life is better, more noticable on the bigger plasma packs.

Glad you like the look of our machines. We believe that if you are going to design a machine, then you may as well spend a little extra time and money to make it look good. We go to a lot of trouble to use as many standard 'off the shelf' parts as possible, we have our roots in the servicing of profile cutting machines and are very aware of the frustrations of parts that are no longer avaliable. We will supply part numbers and suppliers of components to our customers if they want, last thing we want is unhappy customers. The biggest service issues we have are faulty plasma packs (especially the bigger ones).

You are right, the guy in Israel needs to buy the right machine for his application, I dont know what that is, but am happy to discuss his requirements if he contacts me, I suspect he has a TV already.

Cheers


Mike