CNC plasma tables

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Does anyone have experience with these? I found a few running a search and came up with Torchmate and PlasmaCAM. Best bang for the buck? The second mentioned has no price on their web site. I'm thinking about one when tax return time comes around. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I keep thinking that custom setup and programming time would exceed hand or pattern work time in all but production runs.  Am I wrong?
Reply:Talked to a fellow in Canton, Texas that makes his living with Plasma cam.  I asked him if he ever considered the torch mate.  He said he had one before he got his Plasma Cam and in his opinion is the plasma cam is better.  He also said scanning a custom piece and working out the bugs can be time consumming.Plasma cam sells a video that can answer some of your questions.  Also very entertaining.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepI keep thinking that custom setup and programming time would exceed hand or pattern work time in all but production runs.  Am I wrong?
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanTalked to a fellow in Canton, Texas that makes his living with Plasma cam.  I asked him if he ever considered the torch mate.  He said he had one before he got his Plasma Cam and in his opinion is the plasma cam is better.  He also said scanning a custom piece and working out the bugs can be time consumming.Plasma cam sells a video that can answer some of your questions.  Also very entertaining.
Reply:I have heard and read that too.  I was considering a plasma cam.  I also heard that they eat up those cog belts.  That fellow from Canton, Texas I was refering to said that can happen if you don't watch the machine while it is cutting, especially a large piece where it can warp up and snag the cutter.  Said he kept a push stick handy to make sure it stayed flat.  Apparently there is a learning curve with this machine.
Reply:Very interesting, thanks. I'm still not sure which unit I'd like to buy...if I did finalize on buying one. Torchmate and P-cam seem to be the "budget" CNC cutters. Are there any others out there?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:PlasmaCAM has just released their new support policy. You now get 3 years of free technical support and a one year limited waranty on parts. We hope this helps users get the help they might need when getting their machines up and running. For prices and for any other questions give Patrick a call at 719-676-2700. We are dedicated to helping our customers and want to help you in your cnc cutting projects.
Reply:Wow - thanks for that answer and thanks for signing up. I think it speaks volumes that someone from your company actually took the time to sign up and address the issue with support.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneWow - thanks for that answer and thanks for signing up. I think it speaks volumes that someone from your company actually took the time to sign up and address the issue with support.
Reply:I'm very happy with my plasmaCAM machine. While I don't have too many hours on it (2-3 hundred hrs of cutting time) it has run almost flawlessly.  There is a learning curve, though. I had quite a bit of CAD and burn table experience and it still took a while to get comfortable with it. I bought it about three years ago.  I use it mostly to make parts for my equipment repair business, but the ornamental stuff is fun.
Reply:Here's a couple more you can check out. Bugo @ www.bugo.com makes a couple different models. One is a CNC unit, the other is a less expensive programmable shape cutting machine. The CNC unit can be had for about $23,000-$25,000 (plus plasma unit) The programmable shape unit runs  around $10,000.00 (plus plasma unit) Another unit you can check out is made by ESAB and is called the Ultra Graph, this unit can be bought as a table top or floor mount unit, a unit is also available to run plasma and oxy fuel these units range in price from $3,700.00 to $5,000.00 (plus plasma unit) I've got three customers that have these Ultra Graph units, though they are all in use for Oxy Fuel. I've got another customer that built his own plasma table, he's got a 5' x 20' bed, nesting software to nest and store all programs, a torch height control he found via the web, DC servo motors, (web also) and a Hypertherm Powermax 1250 w/25' machine torch, and a custom built exhaust system that mounts over the table. Good Luck!!
Reply:Hi folks, I work with Meta-Lab and an ESAB table doing mainly HVAC. You guys talking plasma tables, setup time, programming and the lack of support. Its all about the software, you get what you pay for. MetaLab's PractiCAM software is primarily for HVAC but you can use it with any design work you want to do. And it will drive almost any cnc plasma cutter table. These guys bend over backwards to give you support. If you can't design a fitting the way you want to put it together, they'll make a custom fitting for you for free and add it to their 2500 fittings already in the system. The designing window is a 3-D that you can rotate to see exactly what your doing. Check it out www.meta-lab.com PractiCAM you can download a copy of the softwae for free. Mention my name Glen Kirkwood.
Reply:Hey JohnGood luck with your purchase. I hope you get the one that serves you the best for the best price. From my research, I believe the PlasmaCam seems to be the best bang for the buck. Here is a scanned copy of the price I got from Torchmate last year. Might give you an idea in the differences. Make sure to let me know when you get it so I can come down and play with it.  Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:CHeck out CNCZone.Com for a few comparison posts.  I looked at a plasmacam because of the ease of use and setup but right now I can't justify $8980 for one that doesn't include the cutter or the pc or shipping. (for my hobby shop) I actually decided to build my own to learn about the electronics side and because I thought it might be fun.  Right now my projected cost including the plasma cutter is $3-4k.  However I already had the Servo's W/ Optical Encoders and Drivers in some equipment I just retired from my day job.  So those are Freebies.  Alot of people complain about the plasma cam being "Cheaply constructed" because its really just a bunch of angle welded together but I've never seen the unit in person so I can't vouch for that.Let us know whatever you decide.  I'm fascinated by CNC stuff and love seeing the cool stuff they can turn out.
Reply:That pic looked a little hard to read so here is a better close up.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:My major gripe with TorchMate and PlasmaCam is that both still require serial ports on your computer to drive them. This rules out any use with most modern laptops and desktop pcs. Serial ports have long been phased out for the more favorable usb/firewire ports. Serial to USB converters do not work on either machine as well. Why have these manufacturers not keep up with times? Hell if I am going to find a new pc with serial ports these days.
Reply:Originally Posted by yellowMy major gripe with TorchMate and PlasmaCam is that both still require serial ports on your computer to drive them. This rules out any use with most modern laptops and desktop pcs. Serial ports have long been phased out for the more favorable usb/firewire ports. Serial to USB converters do not work on either machine as well. Why have these manufacturers not keep up with times? Hell if I am going to find a new pc with serial ports these days.
Reply:J - this is an old post. A good informational post yet old. I recently spent some saved money on concrete for my building. That got expensive quick. The CNC plasma is going to have to wait another year. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneJ - this is an old post. A good informational post yet old. I recently spent some saved money on concrete for my building. That got expensive quick. The CNC plasma is going to have to wait another year.
Reply:So is torchmate a good buck for the bang still... I need a CNC plasma badly any pointer THXUnit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:I sell the SteelTailor unit and have a customer in Germany who recently purchased one and has it set up and running. Anyone interested I can give you his email.Check out the video here... Last edited by GiantTechGuy; 04-15-2008 at 10:01 AM.http://www.PlasmaMetalCutter.comGiantTech Cut40DGiantTech Cut50DGiantTech CT520DGiantTech Tig200sGiantTech Arc200GiantTech Tig200PACDCMiller MM210No Brand Chinese Chop SawNo Brand Chinese 4" Angle Grinder
Reply:My work partner and myself built a cnc plasma table from scratch, using salvged part from the industry we work with. We researched plasmacam and torchmate for design ideas and software needed. Both companies use the same software. In my opinion, torchmate is the better choice based on customer service, range of products/cost offered and overall cost.