CNC plasma choice

[crazyal]

You may want to double check with your steel supplier. Those prices sound very much like the ones around here. But the stock size sheets of steel they have are 20' (could be 16' never asked). That said I would still go for the 4x8 table anyway. I would love one but I just can't justify it for the limited use I would put on it. Please keep updating your progress if you do get one.

 

[longevity]

There is a lot of information on Torchmate tables on the Torchmate thread in Pirate4x4.com - we have used our plasmas and both torchmate and plasmacam. You can also see our customer's building their own CNC tables - which is a a much cheaper option.

My CNC Plasma Build log..

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a 2005 era Dynatorch machine. Its not really a hobbyist machine and was in the $11,000 range (not counting plasma cutter machine).

Since then i have upgraded it with their DASH system (a laser guided material locator that allows cutting without the cutting head ever touching the stock), a powered laser locator (for viewing where the cut will actually take place on the metal) and a collision avoidance device to protect the head.

I believe their equipment will only run with a machine head on the plasma cutter (at least mine is that way).

The learning curve for me was a little long, as i had no previous experience with the machine. But i really do like working with it.

The tech support at Dynatorch are FANTASTIC. There's a guy named Leon that will spend whatever time you need on the phone to assist you...even 6 years after the purchase.

Their software is continually being updated, but you have to pay for a yearly subscription update if you want it. I use it because everytime i upgrade it, i get alot more choices and control over my machine.

They offer alot of different software packages. When i started i was using CoralDraw for my artwork (I have Autocad but it takes too long for th stuff i do). Since i didn't buy their software, all i have to do is convert my coraldraw art to a BMP (very easy) then import it to a program called Vextractor to create an image of the outline (as you cut the outline of your design). This creats a DXF file.

I import this DXF file into a program called Enroute. This program automatically cleans up the image and sets the start and exit parameters for the cut. After i save this, i send it to my plasma table to cut.

I know it sounds complicated, but after a little practice, it becomes really east.

Say i want to create a plate with 9 different sides, all lengths known. I draw it in Coral, i convert it to a BMP (5 seconds) and import this to vextractor. Vextractor takes about 15 seconds to convert.

I then import it into Enroute and this program also only takes 10-15 seconds. The great thing about Enroute, lets say i need 20 of these weird brackets made, i can tell it i need 20 and the program will automatically arrange the cuts to waste the LEAST amount of metal. It can flop the cuts thru all planes.


Im sure some of the software that Dynatorch offers nowdays would be easier to use, but back in 2005 this is all they had. Enroute cost me $1,300 so im in no hurry to change it out. Heck it works fine and is fast.

I too have heard alot of bad things about the plasmacam....and i mean alot.

I hear good stuff about the torchmate though


I have a 4x8 table..At times i wish i went 5x10 though


Heres it cutting a plate i made for another TBN member.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsCNXAkVu-0[/ame]

 

[tlbuser]

I've had a plasmacam since about 2006, use a hypermax 1000 and hand torch. Recently, I've been toying with using a router head on the table to cut wooden signs, etc. The original software was a play on bocad, i believe. I can use autocad to build and then export as .dxf to plasmacam. It wil import and convert, no problem.

 

[muddstopper]

I am still looking at different machines, but am leaning a little toward the 2x2 or 2x4 torchmate simply because of entry price point. I already have the plasma cutter and air compressor so the actual plasma table and software is all I really need. I would like a bigger table than the 2x2, but I have to ask myself, am I really going to be cutting that many items that I need a machine capable of holding a whole sheet of steel. I would suspect most of my work would be oneoff items.

One thing that I have read seems to be that the Torchmate 2x2 is pretty flimsy and some have said they even tack weld the stand to help keep it square. Also, some of the wireing connectors are of poor quality and will come apart. Of course this is internet talk and I cant give a first hand experience to verify whether any of it is true. Has anybody here had such experiences or similar with their Torchmates.

 

[jimcolt]

I did a webinar a few months ago (for Hypertherm) in regards to "small format cnc plasma tables. This webinar can be found on the Hypertherm | Plasma Cutters | Plasma Cutting Equipment | Metal Cutting Equipment | CAM Software | Fiber Laser Cutting Equipment site under education, when webinars. It is a non commercial webinar that talks about the wide variety of manufacturers, machine sizes, capabilities and price for cnc plasma cutting.

There are over 90 worldwide manufacturers of cnc plasma cutting machines worldwide...they start in price at around $3000 for a 2 x 2 entry level machine and go to well in excess of a million dollars for a shipyard machine that could have a cutting bed of 50' x 350'....with four 400 amp plasma torches and full bevelling capability.

In the last 10 or so years the "entry level" machines have become popular....machines priced at under $20,000 with great capabiliies....using a standard office PC (computer) as the CNC control, and a low cost air plasma system as the cutter. These machines are revolutionizing the metal cutting and fabricating industry for small shops and hobbyist type applications.

I have a Torchmate and a PlasmaCam in my home shop....and they are so incredibly easy to use.....that I have learned to design almost every thing that I fabricate with the cnc plasma cut parts in mind. If I need a 3/16" motor mount for a log splitter.....I walt to the machine, spend about 5 minutes drawing the part (which easilly can include bolt holes that are slotted, nice rounded corners, a hole for the oil drain plug.....almost anything) and I then press the cut button and the part is cut accurately and in seconds.

Attached are a few pictures of a log splitter....all parts cut in my shop with either the Torchmate or the PlasmaCam....

Jim Colt
Log rest plates with my name cut....ensures when it is borrowed that it comes back home....the cyclinder trunnions, the motor mount....the ram and the wedge are all cut on my machine.

 

[muddstopper]

Made a call to Plasma Cam. I have been reading a lot of negative comments all over the net about this company. Comments like the machine is cheap made, out of flimsy material. No customer service, Plasma cam charges for tech support, Blah, Blah, Blah.

. One Phone call is all it takes to find the facts.

Plasmacam 4x4 machine is made out of 1/4inch steel, including the gantry. The table is rated to support over 10,000lbs. Doesnt sound flimsey to me. I do believe that some of the older models might have been built out of thinner metal, to many comments on the internet to believe otherwise. History is History and I aint looking to purchase a 10yr old machine so I dont care what the old machine is, was or could have been.

I called late yesterday evening and phone was answered on the first ring. The company rep stayed on the phone with me for about an hr and was still going strong when I was ready to hang up. In fact he was so eager to help, it was almost irritateing.. Support is free for the lifetime of the machine.

Plasma cam is made out of cheap parts, I dont think so. They use Servo motors on all axis where other companies use either stepper motors or a combination of stepper and servo motors. I dont know if this is a plus or minus as far as function of the machine, but servos are much faster and better motors then the stepper motors, they also cost more. Servos for PlasmaCam are propritory, so you wont just go down to the local electronics store and buy one, but should only be a problem if Plasma Cam was to go bellyup. PlasmaCam also has a 3year warranty on their machines, I will be comparing that with what the other companies offer.

Software is propritory, and to here the rep tell it, very easy to learn. Is all one package and you dont need 3 or 4 other software packages to make everything work. Support will walk you thru it over the phone, but if you feel you need to, you can go straight to the company and get hands-on training. Free. Its a little far to Colorado for me to visit, so i would probably endup with my ear stuck to the phone to learn the software.

Plasmacam has a Sell going on right now. The Basic 4x4 table is right at $7000, and includes basice 2d software. This doesnot include Automatic Height Control. Thats another $498 software upgrade. Actually the software is already there, you just have to pay for the code to unlock it and make it usable. In fact, I believe the rep told me there was 5 or 6 additional options for the plasmacam software, and each option was an additional $498, just for the keycode to unlock it. I think thats gougeing the consumer a little bit by nickel and dimeing them, but Pretty much a standard business practice nowadays. If you want the router option, Thats another $1000, but allows you to make 3d routeing images. I am a little confused and forgot to ask about, but I think the rep said that if you bought the 3d routeing option, it came with the automatic height control that worked with the plasma torch. Now dont go quoteing that as a fact, I asked so many questions and was given so much information, I might of misunderstood what the rep was telling me.

The rep at Plasma cam looked to see if there was a machine in my area I could go and look at, but there isnt one anywhere close. I wont buy anything until I look at it first so i might have to drive a litte distance to sneak a peek.

Plasmacam is also doing financing on their equipment, I didnt get all the details on that option, but it is an option none the less.

Disclaimer: I dont work for Plasmacam or any other company that sells plasma cutting or other CNC equipment. I dont own any brand, nor have I used any brand of cnc plasma cutting equipment. I am simply a hobbiest looking for a peice of equipment to put in my own shop. I still have a ton of research to do before I make any purchases.

 

[grsthegreat]

I agree about the servo motors being better for cnc machines. My dynatorch uses them. There like $600/motor.

 

[jimcolt]

Mudstopper,

I'd be glad to show you my PlasmaCam....but I am in NH....a long drive. I could post on the PlasmaPig site (which is a large independant user group of owners) to find a machine close to you....send me a direct email if interested.

Jim Colt jim.colt@hypertherm.com

 

[muddstopper]

Well, I finally got around to calling Torchmate. I have to say, just talking over the phone, I wasnt a bit impressed. A 4x4 table with software was still around $7000. The machine used stepper motors instead of servos, extruded aluminum instead of steel. My biggest complaint was Warranty, only 90days, it would probably take me that long just to figure out how to use it. One other turnoff was it seemed all the person on the phone wanted to do was get my name and address so he could send me more information. I can read the website, I got you on the phone, give me time to ask some questions, dont just push me off so you can go do something else. Sorry if that sounds like a rant, but if your going to get my money, you have to talk with me, not just send me a bunch of paper in the mail.

I would like to give you some positives on the machine, but I never got to ask a lot of questions. It does seem that if you already have software, you can save some money. Other than that, There isnt much else I can say. I will say the person I talked to said up front he just started in the sales department, maybe he just didnt know his job well enought yet to tell me all I needed to know. I'll give him the benefit of doubt, but I cant purchase from his company with the information he provided, sorry.