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Best budget CNC plasma table?

maxh

Hot Rolled
Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Location
Austin, TX
I hope I'm not blaspheming with the budget part, but that really is what will work best with our business model. We've been looking at Torchmate products (Torchmate CNC plasma cutters, CNC cutting systems, CNC plasma tables, and CNC Routers.), and a local guy (Riggen Industries - CNC Cutting Tables) quoted us ~$5000 for a 5'x2' (gantry on the long axis so we can slide a full sheet through). For that price we'd be looking at the torchmate 2x2.

The local guy has only been in business ~5 months, though, so we have worries about dependability as his design hasn't had much time for testing. He uses steppers instead of servos (he claims improved performance due to servos being susceptible to interference from HF plasma arc.) He also has a full Z axis which can be used with arc voltage to compensate for non-flat sheets, and includes computer, Mach 3 control system, some CAD software and Sheetcam.

Any suggestions for other manufacturers out there? Our largest part currently is a 24" disk with tabs I can arrange diagonally to fit in a 24" box, but we'd love to be able to slide a 4' sheet through without having to cut it up first (actually metric sheets, so 1250mm (49.2")).
 
Maybe you can try to have a sample cut from your local guy. Since low budget table are very often Mach3 and stepper the electronic is easily interchangeable and available cheap. Check more the mechanical aspect (read accuracy) as low budget try to use the cheapest way for linear motion....

maybe check plasmacam too ..
 
The other forum that can't be mentioned here has more members versed in these items.
 
Word has it Torchmate just got bought out so the future of the company is up in the air.

There are other mfgs still in business

LDR systems
Plasmacam
Bulltear
Precisionplasmallc
Tracker
Dynatorch
 
I personally would walk away from him based on the HF comment regarding the dislike for servos. If his systems so poorly shielded its a issue to servos, damn certain its going to play hell with the control long term. Building up a cnc that's pretty much imune to HF is not hard. Sheilded cables, proper metal shielded enclosures and suitable isolation + earthing make it a non event. Heck most commercial plasmas would probaly fair well against a EMP attack.
 
i built my own cnc plasma table...depending on what you wanted i could build a table for you or put together the gantry and electronics for you. realistically...you can do a 5x10 full water table with the plasma and all electronics for under $8000

just shoot me a pm if you are interested, i use linear rails for the x, y, and z axis (auto torch height)
 
Word has it Torchmate just got bought out so the future of the company is up in the air.

There are other mfgs still in business

LDR systems
Plasmacam
Bulltear
Precisionplasmallc
Tracker
Dynatorch

torchmate was bought by Lincoln Electric
 
The important things to consider when looking at a cnc plasma table:

1. Size. It really does not cost twice as much for a 4 x 4 machine vs a 2 x 4. The cost is in the cnc control, the software, the drives and the linear motion hardware. Get a machine large enough to cover your future needs.

2. Torch height control, full featured. As a 34 year Hypertherm guy....I will tell you that cut quality, consumable life, and productivity will not be had unless your machine has full torch height control capability. This means; a. the ability to accurately find the surface of the plate before each individual cut, b. the ability to accurately retract to the torch manufacturers recommended pierce height, c. The ability to index down from pierce height to cut height rapidly as soon as the pierce is complete, and before the torch gets off the programmed lead -in., d. The ability to track height during steady state cutting (most use arc voltage feedback) accurate to within about .010" of the torch manufacturers suggested cut height. There are many machines sold with no auto torch height....or with THC's that only have initial pierce height functions. Height affects cut edge angularity, cut edge dross, plate warpage, and consumable life (can be the difference between 10 starts on a set of consumables and 2000 starts)

3. The right plasma system. They are not all created equaly....do your homework, consult users, consult experts. As with the table....do not buy too small. A plasma should be specified to work in the middle of its piercing capability range most of the time.

4. There are air plasma systems....which most people think about on entry level machines. The good ones cut very well and have great reliability as well as consumable life (low cost per foot of cut). There also are industrial plasma systems that are as much as 10x more costly compared to air plasma....produce better parts at faster speeds with lower cost per foot.

As far as entry level machines...I consider them as machines that can be up and running (fume control, plasma, shop cnc computer, all necessary software) for under $20k. Equipped with height control they start at about $6k. Torchmate and PlasmaCam are by far the biggest sellers, do it yourself machines using electronics from www.CandCNC.com are also very popular....there are a half dozen other branded machines as well...most are stepper based using Mach 3 software.....can be good if built and supported well!

Steppers or servos. Most entry level machines use steppers...PlasmaCam is probably the biggest exception. Most industrial machines use servos.

For most applications under about 150 inches per minute cut speed.....steppers and servos will cut essentially the same part in most cases. Servos do have a wider speed/torque curve (properly applied to the machine they are on) and provide better ability to get to (and maintain) higher cut speeds. Servos cost more and are more complex as they require a feedback loop for accurate positioning.

I have both a PlasmaCam and a Torchmate in my home shop...each has their advantages, both have full featured height controls. I'd be happy to show pics of cuts with each machine an offer comparisons.....I will not say one is better than the other. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I also have worked with the manufacturers of high end (read expensive) industrial cnc plasmas for over 30 years. These machines differe quite a bit from entry level machines....mostly in size and construction.....they are built to run 3 shifts 365 days, for 20 years in a tough environment.

Jim Colt Hypertherm


I hope I'm not blaspheming with the budget part, but that really is what will work best with our business model. We've been looking at Torchmate products (Torchmate CNC plasma cutters, CNC cutting systems, CNC plasma tables, and CNC Routers.), and a local guy (Riggen Industries - CNC Cutting Tables) quoted us ~$5000 for a 5'x2' (gantry on the long axis so we can slide a full sheet through). For that price we'd be looking at the torchmate 2x2.

The local guy has only been in business ~5 months, though, so we have worries about dependability as his design hasn't had much time for testing. He uses steppers instead of servos (he claims improved performance due to servos being susceptible to interference from HF plasma arc.) He also has a full Z axis which can be used with arc voltage to compensate for non-flat sheets, and includes computer, Mach 3 control system, some CAD software and Sheetcam.

Any suggestions for other manufacturers out there? Our largest part currently is a 24" disk with tabs I can arrange diagonally to fit in a 24" box, but we'd love to be able to slide a 4' sheet through without having to cut it up first (actually metric sheets, so 1250mm (49.2")).
 
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I have posted about my friends Table before. Built his own with parts from CandCNC and the Bladerunner package. I know with a new Hypertherm 85, and rotary axis/ water table he is into it 16G That is charging labor for himself to built it. I do know he has added a Scribe/Router/ Vinyl Knife cutter since that last figure. Best table under 20 I have ever seen. It's overbuilt because he also needed to use it as a work bench. Plop 2' plate on it, and it won't budge. He also added a really cool router speed control.

‪CNC Plasma / Router / Rotary axis‬‏ - YouTube
 
Oh yeah, nice! I saw that post on the other forum. That is a gantry kit and wasnt pieced together.

Yes, that is correct but if you know this guy, his next one will have some changes. Meaning he will build his own design, that will run a Mag drill for 1 inch stainless drilling. In fact that was what he was really after with his first one, but just did not have time to put it together.

‪CNC Plasma / Router / Rotary axis 2‬‏ - YouTube
 








 
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