CNC plasma choice

[muddstopper]

I have been thininking about buying a plasma table for a while now. When I first started looking, a hobbiest machine started at around $10,000 for a complete system, including software. After taking a second look, it seems prices might be comeing down a little bit. Maybe now is the time to take the plunge.

I already own a miller 625 plasma cutter with hand torch, what I am looking for is a table, and of course, software, that I can add to this machine to do art work in thin sheets, and maybe fabbing up 1/4-1/2 inch thick brackets for farm or car projects. I also want software that is easy to learn since i dont know squat about machine software.

I have looked at some of the 2x2 and 4x4 machines, but would like to be able to load a 4x8 sheet of material. This is because my "steal" supplier usually charges the price of a whole sheet if they have to cut it. He wanted $62 for a 12ft piece of 3x3 tube and $69 for a 20ft stick. I bought a 15ft drop for $35, dont ask me to explain it, I cant. I figure if I am going to pay for the whole piece I might as well buy whole pieces and cut them myself.

I would like opinions on make and models from actual owners of their Plasma cnc tables. Likes dislikes, If they had to do it over again, what would they do different. Any accessories they feel is a must have. How hard is the software to learn, price of the machine, and anything else a dummy needs to ask but doesnt know to.

Thanks

 

[jimcolt]

I own both a PlasmaCam 4 x 4 table (equipped with Powermax85 plasma) and a Torchmate 2 x 4 with AVHC (height control and Powermax45 plasma). I have owned the PlasmaCam (model DHC2) for over 10 years (had their earlier model 98Z first), and have had the Tochmate for about 1 year.

They are both great machines....here are some comments about each:

PlasmaCam DHC2. This is a 4 x 4 machine that comes standard with a really nice automatic torch height control system. Thes machines start at about $6800 now....but I suggest you upgrade the software to the point where it has full height control and plate sensing functionality. I paid $9900 for mine......now they are cheaper, but to get the same level of height control you have to get the right version of their "Design Edge" software. The software is extremely easy to learn and easy to use....even for someone that has never done CAD drawing. The machine comes with slats and an open bottom.....so no fume control. You must close in the bottom with sheet metal and duct it to at least a 3000 cfm blower or fan to move the smoke outside. With my Hypertherm Powermax85 I cut from thin gauge (26 gauge) to 3/4" with no issues.....I can cut thicker with an edge start just have not had the need. Cut quality is excellent. On thin gauge materials this machine has the ability to cut with good quality up to about 280 inches per minute....it uses servo drives which have a performance advantage over the stepper drives on the Torchmate.

Torchmate 2 x4 . I bought this machine with the Torchmate water table. It comes without slats.....so I fabricated slats from 14 gauge steel. The water tray allows water up to the bottom of the steel and controls fumes quite well. The water does splash on the torch , machine and materials being cut....and the slats have gotten fairly rusty. I use an electric stock tank heater in the water tray in winter (N.H.) in my shop as it is not heated when I am not there. I find that the software included with Torchmate has the ability to draw about anything.....although I found it much more difficult to learn....and I spend much more time at the machine setting up cut parameters and getting the torch and materials in the correct location for best material optimization....the PlasmaCam sems easier from this respect. Cut quality is nice on thicker materials, although the water creates a rougher cut edge.....lower the water and the edge gets smoother, but there is more smoke. This machine with the water table and AVHC was about $7800. The AVHC is necessary for best cut quality and long torch consumable life. Top speed of the machine is about 140-150 inches per minute....whih does not allow for best cut edge quality on materials thinner than 10 gauge.


I think if I had bought the Torchmate before the PlasmaCam....I would be reversing my story about the ease of use of the software! I find the PlasmaCam easier probably because I went through the learning curve first....and I am more familiar. Personally I like downdraft fume control better from a cut quality perspective.....but it does require over 3000 cubic feet per minute of air flow....and must be blown outside your shop. Water tables do affect cut quality...but likely are cheaper to build and operate. No reason why you could not build a water table for a Plasmacam or a downdraft for the Torchmate.

I use machine torches on both....not hand torches. Much easier to square to the plate, easier to change consumables, and easier to electrically interface.

Have had no issues with either machine....both companies have excellent tech support from my perspective. I am biased on the Hypertherm as I work for them! I am building a homebuilt cnc machine using a kit from www.CandCNC.com this winter for comparison.

A few pics:


Jim Colt

 

[Shield Arc]

Jim I have no reason to doubt you, I think you are a very stand up guy! But out of the 10 to 11-years or so I've been on the Internet I think you're the first person I've ever seen say one good word about PlasmaCam. This subject just came up a few weeks ago on another site. I replied that last summer there was an ad in my local Craig's list where a school district was trying to sell three PlasmaCam machines. No one in the district could get the software to work, and PlasmaCam was charging for tech support. Over the years I've seen several PlasmaCams on Craig's list with the same issues.

Never heard a bad word about TorchMate! I almost bought a TorchMate, but bought a Tracker instead.

CNC Plasma Cutters, Tracker CNC Pro Table, Nitro Cutting Machines

 

[muddstopper]

PlasmaCam was the machine I first looked at several years ago. I still have the VCR tape they sent when I asked for info. I havent had a VCR for years now. I think back then their sofware was $6000 or some crazy number. I thought about building my own way back then, but parts werent as easy to comeby as they are now. Parts where available back then, but you had to piece mill everything, no real one stop shopping. I didnt think I could put everything together and make it work, plus, I was still going to have to buy the expensive software. (and learn to use it)

I am just now getting back in the mood for wanting one again and have just started looking. The www.CandCNC.com site looks promising, thanks for the link. Any suggestions on which software to buy if I do decide to build myself.

I would like to hear other opinons as well.

Thanks

 

[jmanatee2]

I also have the Torchmate 2 x 4 with AVHC (Automatic Voltage & height control) and a Hypertherm Powermax45 plasma with machine torch. I use the torchmate cad lite software (I am still learning it).

I did not buy the water table from them, I built my own.

I have cut 26ga accurately with it. You have to reduce the pierce delay.

I am in to it for about $10k (CNC table, water table, software, and plasma)

I am very happy with the setup. It works very well. I had it up and running within a couple hours and I was using it to help build the water table.

There software it very configurable. and there support is top notch.

If you have any specific question let me know.

 

[yomax4]

I've sold every brand out there and there are a lot of new ones in the making. I have to admit the one that causes the most hate and dis content is Plasma Cam. I liked the Torch Mate until Lincoln Electric boutght them. Now I would point to Tracker, Victory or C & G. All have new small tables for the home owner or will build you one. Look around, There are many more decent ones.

 

[jimcolt]

PlasmaCam did create a poor self image with their first model, the 98Z....it required some hands on tinkering to keep it working....and after the first 90 days PlasmaCam started charging for telephone tech support. That was over ten years ago...and like any progressive company they improved their design and service support.....the units they are selling now (the DHC2 and Samson models) are very nice, have some very easy to learn and operate software....and with their servo drives and integrated height control produce very nice cuts. Nothing wrong with the newer model PlasmaCam....and their service and support in my opinion ranks among the best today.


Jim

Jim I have no reason to doubt you, I think you are a very stand up guy! But out of the 10 to 11-years or so I've been on the Internet I think you're the first person I've ever seen say one good word about PlasmaCam. This subject just came up a few weeks ago on another site. I replied that last summer there was an ad in my local Craig's list where a school district was trying to sell three PlasmaCam machines. No one in the district could get the software to work, and PlasmaCam was charging for tech support. Over the years I've seen several PlasmaCams on Craig's list with the same issues.

Never heard a bad word about TorchMate! I almost bought a TorchMate, but bought a Tracker instead.

CNC Plasma Cutters, Tracker CNC Pro Table, Nitro Cutting Machines

 

[muddstopper]

I have only ever seen two machines, one was at my steel supplier and the other in a small welding shop I just happen to go into when I was away from home and needed some welding done. Never got to see either machines operate. My steel supplier sold theirs because they couldnt ever figure out how to run it. I dont know what brand it was. What i would really like to do is go somewhere where someone is actually using a machine and watch it work. So far, everyone that has posted has been a little to far away for me to visit, but if someone that is a litter closer to Western NC, and wouldnt mine a visitor with lots of questions, I would really like to see a machine in action. I think I am going to spend a little time on youtube and see what is on there. I think one of my biggest problems is going to be figureing out what I need and not just what I want. I am not in the welding/fabricating profession, but I do like to tinker and build things. I am just looking for something to keep me busy when I retire in about 5 years.

 

[rjmack]

do these machines have the ability to import autocad 2d files and work from them?

 

[Shield Arc]

Mine does, you have to save them as dxf files. My machine's software is based on CorelDraw9.