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Hi guys I hope I’m putting this in the write place.
I’m have about 6 different parts that I have a laser cutting shop do for me.
They always do an outstanding job and are on time!
I spend about 12000.00 a year with them so I’ve been
thinking about getting a plasma table for the shop.
The thickest thing I have them cut is 3/8 steel and ¼ SS
and ¼ aluminum.
They tolled me when I started using them that could hold +/- .005 on most parts, will a plasma do this?
My question is who makes the best plasma table that will take a 4x8 sheet and uses Mach 3 controls?
Chris
not too sure.
But for full on industrial cutting requirements, plasma oxyfuel and laser. See Koike.com.
They make cutting machines for shipyards and full on indusdrial environments etc. 3D bevel cutting heads, the machines are that big that some of them the operator stands and rides along with the gantry.
There just isn't a process out there that will hold +/- .005 other than laser or water jet. You can probably build a table capable of holding those tolerances but the plasma process isn't that accurate. On heavier steel 1/4" & up Ox/Fuel will hold way closer tolerances than plasma. But still not in that .010 rangeOriginally Posted by TT350
If it works.....Don't fix it!
Regarding plasma tolerances....
Most posts on this site are in reference to relatively low cost air plasma cutting systems such as Hypertherm Powermax systems. These plasma systems, designed primarily for cutting with a torch in your hand.....are often used on "low cost" entry level or hobby class cnc cutting machines. It is typical with these types of plasma systems to be able to hold tolerances (cut part accuracy/repeatability) from part to part in the plus or minus .015" to .020" range on production runs of parts...assuming that the machine is in good operating condition. Cut part accuracy is not just a function of the plasma torch....but relies heavily on the x-y machine motion and it's ability to follow the part program co-ordinates while maintaining the proper cutting speed (slower speed makes a wider kerf, faster is narrower).....and the torch height control system...maintaining the correct torch to work distance is extremely critical as well.
That said....everyone on this site should be aware that there is a whole other world of plasma cutting out there that has been around long before air plasma systems were even invented! When you compare cut quality with water jet and lasers....both high end industrial machines that can cost upwards of $300,000....you need to compare these processes with industrial High definition and High Performance plasma systems ...not with air plasma.
As an example....Hypertherm manufactures a unit called the HPR260 (multi gas capability, high performance 260 Amp plasma system) that when coupled with an industrial quality x-y cutting machine (typical manufacturers are MG Cutting and Welding, Koike Aronson, MultiCam, AKS Cutting Systems...as well as dozens of other manufacturers) will produce high tolerance parts in the .005" to .015" cut part accuracy range....with far superior production cut speeds as compared to laser and water jet....and at dramatically lower operating costs on many (not all!) materials and thicknesses. A 6' x 12" precision industrial cutting machine with an HPR260 plasma can be purchased in the $120,000 to $150,000 price range....so less up front cost and lower operating cost....along with faster cut speeds as compared to water jet and laser. The water jet and lasers can cut with better tolerances especially on thinner materials...and can cut non conductive materials. There are many large shops in the world that have all three processes...and use each for their best capabilities.
Jim Colt
Ok I’ve been looking at ready to go systems and there’s not that much to some of these tables.
Has anybody built a 4x8 or 4x10 from 80/20 and kept up with there budget and compared prices?
yes its very doable, a whole other subject though not really being discussed in this post.
What Jim said is true, HyPerformance or Hydefinition plasma systems can hold their accuracy very tight. Problem is thought that for some reason owners of plasma tables seem to think they can throw just about anyone on a plasma table and make him (or her......) cut good qualilty parts. It takes a lot of operator experience to make a high performance system work wel.
+1 on that.
It takes a lot of operator experience to make ANYTHING work well!!!!!!!!!!!!
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