jimcolt
Gold Member
The trouble with comparing plasma systems is that some manufacturers like to play games with the specifications. As I said in a previous post...it is the killowatt output of the system that determines its power rating......as well as an assist from the torch design. Good gas flow physics in the torch can increase both cut speed and consumable life.......this is real evident when you compare the Chines imports, most of which have a copy of a 25 year old Esab (PT31) torch design........it has poor cooling, poor arc constriction and no nozzle shielding/isolation. So......a 40 amp import cuts metal just fine....but at a slower speed, with more dross, and with dramatically shorter consumable life as compared to the Hypertherm and T-D torch designs.
T-D also has played some power supply games to make their similar amperage systems less expensive as compared to Hypertherm. If you compare the T-D 52 (60 amps) to the Hypertherm Powermax1000 (60 Amps).....the Hypertherm is more expensive.....both are rated for the same thicknesses.....but if you look at the fine print on the recomended cut speed charts.....you will notice the Hypertherm is quite a bit faster...especially when you get to thicker material. Why? Because the Hypertherm 60 Amp unit is capable of 8.4 killowatts of output cutting power at 50% duty cycle....the T-D 52 only can produce 6.2 killowatts of output power at a 40% duty cycle. Watts are the true measure of cutting power, and it is less expensive to build a lower wattage power supply. In reality, when you look at capacity and speed...the Hypertherm Powermax45 closely matches the killowatt output of the T-D 52.....even with only 45 Amps....and at almost the same price. I won't even start to talk about duty cycle and kw output of the imports!
I guess its kind of like goi ng to one dealler that is trying to sell you a 3/4 ton truck for a certain price.....then another dealer offers a half ton at a cheaper price. If you are going to use the truck to haul heavy loads...both will do it......but one will do it for a long time!
I'm also going to remember to use my old Brown and Sharp scale in any future pictures!
Jim
T-D also has played some power supply games to make their similar amperage systems less expensive as compared to Hypertherm. If you compare the T-D 52 (60 amps) to the Hypertherm Powermax1000 (60 Amps).....the Hypertherm is more expensive.....both are rated for the same thicknesses.....but if you look at the fine print on the recomended cut speed charts.....you will notice the Hypertherm is quite a bit faster...especially when you get to thicker material. Why? Because the Hypertherm 60 Amp unit is capable of 8.4 killowatts of output cutting power at 50% duty cycle....the T-D 52 only can produce 6.2 killowatts of output power at a 40% duty cycle. Watts are the true measure of cutting power, and it is less expensive to build a lower wattage power supply. In reality, when you look at capacity and speed...the Hypertherm Powermax45 closely matches the killowatt output of the T-D 52.....even with only 45 Amps....and at almost the same price. I won't even start to talk about duty cycle and kw output of the imports!
I guess its kind of like goi ng to one dealler that is trying to sell you a 3/4 ton truck for a certain price.....then another dealer offers a half ton at a cheaper price. If you are going to use the truck to haul heavy loads...both will do it......but one will do it for a long time!
I'm also going to remember to use my old Brown and Sharp scale in any future pictures!
Jim
