What is the most important factor when choosing a CNC plasma table? Is it speed, accuracy or output? This is one of those questions to which there is no simple answer because they are all important and, depending on the nature of your business, one of them might be higher on your priorities than the others.
If your success is based on a quick turnaround rather than sky-high quality, you will be looking for machinery that can bolster that strength. Only within limits, though; everyone using a CNC plasma cutter is operating in a world where certain levels of quality and accuracy are expected.
Given that quality is inherent in the majority of these machines, let’s look at speed first, and there are two sides to this: what your machine is capable of and the obstacles that are put in its way.
The thickness of the material to be cut is a major factor, and that is a matter of power: the ability of the machine vs what it is up against. It’s the same story with path complexity: if that’s what you’ve got to do is complex, it will slow you down, but that’s the job and you don’t have any other option.
Factors you can control include amperage (higher = faster), and correct air pressure (too high is as bad as too low).
Accuracy is probably at least as important as speed, and here there are prescribed targets: ±0.5mm to 1mm for standard systems and ±0.25mm for high-definition jobs.
Torch height control (THC) means maintaining an optimum distance between the torch and the material. Failure to achieve this can lead to bevelling and excessive dross.
The condition of the consumables is important too. Cheap, worn or dirty nozzles and electrodes reduce quality and accuracy.
Mechanical calibration is largely a matter of maintenance: keeping everything aligned. This is closely related to the rigidity and overall quality of the machine: a stable, vibration-free gantry is the basis for accurate work.
There is also the matter of the condition of the material you’re working with. If it is not completely flat, that will play havoc with the geometry of the operation, while paint or rust will also upset the mathematics that underpin the whole procedure. Again, this may not be a factor within your control.
The output category includes elements such as dross management, cut direction and gas quality.
How Motion Systems Affect Cut Smoothness and Repeatability
Instructions to the plasma arc are basically to do with the X and Y axes, meaning north-south and east-west movement. Even a curve is a just smooth combination of these, so the quality of the motion system is built into the machine and is something you need to approve or reject at an early stage.
Why THC Performance Directly Impacts Consumable Life and Edge Quality
The torch needs to be very close to the material but not too close. If it gets too near, it will cause nozzle and electrode damage. THC performance is therefore crucial in this respect.
A Unique Feature Exclusive to Plazmax Tables
While developments across an industry tend to be generalised, with all manufacturers seizing on a new idea at around the same time, from time to time a breakthrough is pioneered by a particular brand, and such is the case here. There is a unique feature exclusive to Plazmax tables that uses a laser rather than the traditional method of the torch manually finding and touching the plate. This can enable up to 30% faster production times. For more information, explore Plazmax today.