Choosing the right equipment for your business is crucial because there is a balance to be struck between having adequate tools for the job and splashing out unnecessarily. In the case of CNC plasma cutters, we’re talking about expensive kit, so you don’t want to use up precious capital for a beast of a machine when you could get the job done with something more modest.
That is one way of looking at it, anyway. Only you know your circumstances. If you have reached a comfortable stage in your development, with good market share and a solid reputation, maybe the CNC plasma cutter you need is what can handle the load that is right on front of you. But if you’re still expanding and taking on bigger, tougher and more lucrative work, that’s another matter.
What Materials Are You Cutting? And How Thick?
CNC plasma cutters are ideal for cutting steel, including stainless steel, plus aluminium, brass and copper. All of these are good conductors of electricity (this is known in the trade as electrically conductive), because conductivity is essential for the plasma arc to form.
Each of these metals comes with its own characteristics. Aluminium, for instance, may seem like a doddle compared with steel, but because it is relatively soft it requires high speeds. At the extreme end of softness, metals such as lead and tin melt too easily to be suitable for a CNC plasma cutter.
For materials such as granite, which is not electrically conductive, you will need a CNC stone machine, which cuts in the traditional way, by abrasion, whereas plasma does it by melting the material.
Similarly, glass and even ceramics, which may seem easy enough, don’t conduct electricity so they won’t co-operate with a plasma machine.
So, if you’re working with one of the usual metals, it’s largely a question of how thick it is. An entry level machine will take care of anything up to 9mm, after which there is a leap to a machine capable of dealing with up to, say, 40mm, and above that you’re looking at another level again.
This means that you need to have a clear picture of what your day-to-day requirements are, and either buy something that will do that but nothing more, or possibly go one step higher so you’ve got something in reserve in case a client drops something on you that is unusually demanding. It is a good feeling to be able to say, yes, you can handle that.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to the type and thickness of the material, you will be looking at the difference between 3015 and 6025 format tables, for instance. Browsing company websites will only get you so far with this: you really need to find a range you like the look of and discuss your requirements vs what they have to offer.
Don’t be afraid to challenge the modern system where the customer does all the work and risks making the wrong choice; this is expensive machinery and you’ve got to get it right.
These machines can be very bulky, so there are also considerations such as forklift access, load/unload strategy, and crane integration. Get your potential supplier’s thoughts on these things and give them as good a picture as you can of your premises.
The volume of your production will affect the suitability of the plasma system and the size of compressor you will need, so get the facts and figures on those things from the representative. You need to make these people work for their commission, and there is no off-the-peg solution that is going to suit most people.
As mentioned earlier, you may be planning for growth, in which case you could be adding oxy and bevel heads. Find out if it would be more cost effective to incorporate these at the time of purchase or to add and upgrade later with Plazmax.