Researching cnc plasma tables it seems like they are referred to as either a hobby table, entry level or industrial. Can someone please explain to me what the difference is besides the structure of the table, power source and tech support. What would a Industrial 4 X 8 table have that a entry level wouldn't besides these mentioned? I have seen photos where some are cutting 3/4 plate with smaller tables and doing a good job at it.
Those terms are strictly in the mind of the vendor and the marketing. I will try and give you a general description:
1. Hobby table: Its often a low cost , low performance basic table that is designed for a not too demanding user that needs a table a few times a month and can live with marginal accuracy and performance. Unfortunately a lot of the so-called "industrial" or "pro" series actually need to be in this category.
2. Entry Level. This s a term coined by the commercial (read high$$$) vendors to explain the large price differences. Entry level would be something that is not made to be stuck out into a 2 or 3 shift per day nasty fab shop and daily deadlines.
3. Light Industrial is a way to describe a table that is made to be used in a small shop or custom fab shop where there are fewer different operators and there is a wide variety of job types being done.
4. Industrial tables are ones that are from major long time manufacturers and have a high level of support, training and on site repair capabilities. The tables are designed to be in a harsh environment and run long hours and take punishment from users that did not have to pay the bill They have heavy duty everything’ that seldom wears out but are expensive to fix. Typically there is a trained dedicated full time operator
Now, with all that being said there are no standards that define the different adverbs and its up to the vendor to call it whatever he wants. If you go look at the imports you will never find one called "hobby " or "entry level" Glowing terms like "pro" "industrial" or "Best in class" are rampant.
The thickness of plate you cut are largely up to the plasma cutter you use not the table. Its actually harder to cut thin material than the thick stuff. Thick stuff is flatter, does not warp, is cut at much lower feedrates that require lower performance mechanics. You can't use the thickness of material it will cut as any type or guideline. If that is all you ever intend to cut and all you ever want is to cut a few sheets a day then an entry level (or "light industrial" ) table that has a good base that can handle the weight of a full sheet is a way to go. If on the other hand you might want to add accessories (plate marker. rotary pipe/tube cutting, router/spindle type cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, remote hand controllers and other attachments) you look for those options and find the price of those options up front.
So be less concerned with what the vendor calls the table and look more for users of that brand and model and see if you can get reviews for doing the type cutting you will be doing. The most important "feature" is to get a product that has a good warranty, and good support. Things like time in business and units shipped are indicators.
This market place is confusing to a new buyer that does not know what questions to ask and the final choice may be based on a website and video. Its a minefield of failed companies. Beware of a company that has a really low price. Its a red flag that you are not getting a system from a source that can afford to give you support. As their base grows, there is not enough money (profit) to expand the business and have staff that can answer the phone, do phone support or even tell you when your table you paid for will ship! The scammers know that the "Pigeon Food" level is around 5K for a full table. Some vendors do not set out to defraud the customer but a poor sense of business produces the same results. Everytime the economy picks up there pops up a new crop of vendors and few are long term players. There is a raft of Orphan CNC owners. Even some major names have changed owners and decided to move into a different part of the market and it leaves older owners without spares or support.
Difference between plasma tables
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