When shopping for a CNC plasma cutting machine, there are a number of factors to consider. For CNC cutting, there are a variety of plasma cutters available. With power levels from 30 A up to 1000 A and thickness capabilities from 26 gauge to 6¼ on a variety of metals, manufacturing companies have many options from which to choose. The key is to consider the how and where you will be using the machine in order to determine which one is best for your needs.
Cutting Needs
Determining which machine is best for you is mostly dependent on what you need to cut. The most important consideration is the maximum plate size you will be cutting. Every CNC plasma cutting machine is designed to cover a range of plate sizes, but the maximum capacity of a machine is a hard limit. If you think you will need to cut something larger than that machine’s capacity, going up to the next size of machine is a necessity. Plate thickness must also be considered when choosing a cutting machine. Some models are limited by the size of plasma they carry. Some high production shops may want to be able to cut two plates side-by-side. If that is the case, a larger machine is necessary.
Process Tools
When choosing a machine, it is important to be aware of the types of cutting process tools you will need. How many plasma stations are necessary? Is an oxy-fuel torch something you need? If so, how many? Do you need a beveling station? The more tools you need, the wider the machine gets. This is due both to how much space each of the tool uses and the cross-cut requirements.
Software
Programming and nesting software are other important factors to consider when purchasing a CNC plasma cutter. Even in smaller shops that do not need nesting capabilities, you still need to be able to generate code for the CNC to operate. Newer CNC plasma cutting machines have built-in programming capabilities, such as shape libraries or manual program editors. Some can take a DXF o DWG file and post-process it into M- and G-Code for the CNC to run, but operators still need to be able to create and edit the CAD files. There are a number of possibilities, but taking into consideration software is imperative when buying a CNC plasma cutter.
