Workhaus
Plastic
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2017
- Location
- New Orleans
Hi All!
I'm looking for advice on choosing the best/right CNC plasma cutter. I'm looking at expanding my business more into the digital realm and have a budget of around 90k for a machine, but I'd like to be smart with how that's used.
I'll mainly be cutting 14ga to 3/8" mild steel with the rare possibility of cutting up to 5/8", so I'm looking at machine with a Hypertherm Powermax 125 or an equivalent plasma cutter. I've got 1600 sqft, so I'm looking at a unitized 5x10 machine with a water table to conserve space and reduce the need to put in collection systems.
The machine won't be running 3 shift, but after previous experience with an unnamed machine that was a bit ill equipped (stepper motors and such), I'd like a machine that's semi-industrial and pretty dang reliable with servo motors, THC, dual side drive, etc.
As important as the machine itself is, I'm also looking for a company that has reliable service, is accessible to get replacement parts quickly and assists in installation with training.
The current companies that are on my radar are:
Koike
Messer
Rhino
AKS
Hornet
I was just at FABTECH in Chicago and it was great getting to look at all of these machines in the same place and see how they're constructed. Right now I'm at a point where I'm ready for a machine that is reliable and also has the potential for add on in the future - oxyfuel, HD.
I'm looking for advice on choosing the best/right CNC plasma cutter. I'm looking at expanding my business more into the digital realm and have a budget of around 90k for a machine, but I'd like to be smart with how that's used.
I'll mainly be cutting 14ga to 3/8" mild steel with the rare possibility of cutting up to 5/8", so I'm looking at machine with a Hypertherm Powermax 125 or an equivalent plasma cutter. I've got 1600 sqft, so I'm looking at a unitized 5x10 machine with a water table to conserve space and reduce the need to put in collection systems.
The machine won't be running 3 shift, but after previous experience with an unnamed machine that was a bit ill equipped (stepper motors and such), I'd like a machine that's semi-industrial and pretty dang reliable with servo motors, THC, dual side drive, etc.
As important as the machine itself is, I'm also looking for a company that has reliable service, is accessible to get replacement parts quickly and assists in installation with training.
The current companies that are on my radar are:
Koike
Messer
Rhino
AKS
Hornet
I was just at FABTECH in Chicago and it was great getting to look at all of these machines in the same place and see how they're constructed. Right now I'm at a point where I'm ready for a machine that is reliable and also has the potential for add on in the future - oxyfuel, HD.