Benefits of investing in a CNC plasma cutting machine?

Benefits of investing in a CNC plasma cutting machine?

Why you should invest in a CNC plasma cutter instead of a laser or waterjet is a question we are often asked. There are pros and cons to each form of profiling machine. In this article, I will detail some of the factors that many companies look for in a CNC plasma cutter:

1. Relatively low purchase cost

The price of a plasma cutting machine can vary greatly depending on the features required, just like the price of most CNC machine tools. However, they are usually the most affordable option when purchasing a profile cutter. The most expensive alternative is to use a laser cutter, with waterjets falling somewhere in between.

2. Economical operating costs

When making comparisons, as with any machinery purchase, you have to consider electricity usage, consumables, gas and compressed air, and routine maintenance. The cost of running a plasma cutter is typically about 25% less than the cost of running a laser cutter and 50% less than the cost of running a waterjet. So if you are considering the subsequent running costs, a plasma cutter is definitely the most economical choice.

3. Higher productivity

No cost comparison would be complete without comparing productivity. While it is true that CNC plasma cutters excel at processing thicker plates, with typical cutting rates significantly higher than other technologies, laser cutting is by far the fastest way to cut thin plate material. Water jets are much slower than lasers and plasmas on comparable materials.

Less complicated adjustments are required when using a CNC plasma cutter. Thanks to technological advances, smaller machines can now have faster cuts and increased throughput.

4. Good Cutting Quality

HD plasma technology can work faster and more accurately than earlier plasma technology. The latest plasma machines now offer superior cut quality, very small bevels and virtually slag-free surface finishes while maintaining production feed rates. The quality of plasma cut parts is often sufficient for the manufacturing environment.

5. With CNC

The "brains" of the system is the CNC control of the plasma cutter you choose. Most modern CNC controllers can operate with a variety of toolpath files. To reduce waste, some incorporate CAM nesting and optimization tools. Others include CAD drafting software. Filtering equipment and other auxiliary devices operate under the guidance of the CNC control. Through this, CNC plasma cutters can cut material accurately and quickly.