Cost for CNC cutting tables......

[Clodhopper]

Starting to research different cutting tables and relating cost to anticipated use. Anyone have ballpark prices for the following CNC cutting tables? Looking for a 4'x4' unit to cut 2D steel parts. Possibly other than steel if capable.

"Econo" Plasma
Quality Plasma
Laser
Water Jet

I fully understand the range in abilities with each method, I am just trying to guage general cost to aquire and operate a cutting table for each method. This will help me to focus in on the methods that work for my pricerange.

[Todd W]

Wouldn't it vary depending on what you plan on using the table for?

I mean you can use a CNC Plasma Cutting system to cut 100 brackets but I don't think it's cost effective when compared to other methods... ???

[Bruce T]

For a 100 brackets a cnc plasma cutter would be the MOST cost effective. Laser and water jet cost much, much more.

[Clodhopper]

Laser and water jet cost much, much more.

Yeah, got that, but how much? I think the plasma table would do most of what I want, but the lazer/water will provide a much better finish product. So the question is, how much are they?

[fivetenben]

Yeah, got that, but how much? I think the plasma table would do most of what I want, but the lazer/water will provide a much better finish product. So the question is, how much are they?


hobby type, 4'x4' CNC plasma tables - ~$3k?

hi-def production type, up to 5/8", 5' x 10' - Close to $200k

[Todd W]

For a 100 brackets a cnc plasma cutter would be the MOST cost effective. Laser and water jet cost much, much more.

Sorry I was talking about product runs of "100 items" each run. Not just a one time thing of 100 brackets... But I agree a plasam will be a TON cheaper than the water and laser, but what I didn't mention was it may be cheaper to have a shop do 100 brackets on laser or water for you. This way you don't have to drop THOUSANDS on the machine.

[MC]

waterjets go form $45,000 to $300,000 used and new
Lasers go from $35,000 to 2.5 million used and new
CNC plasma tables go from $9,000 to $70,000 new and used
CNC high definition tables go from $30,000 to $300,00 new and used

Keep in mind older equipment like lasers can have a consumable price of 20K per year. CNC plasma tables are all over...DO ALOT OF RESEARCH before you buy. Some are not very good..some have advantages over others...like lasers...they can pierce quicker and cleaner vs plasma

[4x4extreme]

Here is a good link I found while searching for waterjets

http://www.richel.com/default.htm

[Bruce T]

You'd be suprised how good a quality cut piece is with cnc plasma. I have about 6 customers who used to have thier stuff laser cut. I cut some samples and mine are very, very, close in quality on the cut edges and accuracy. As long as its set up corectly I can be within a few thousands. Most of the accounts I have do not need the holes to be that exact, usually just a slightly oversize hole for a bolt to go through. Of course laser and water is better for very precision work but you'll pay for it. Unless it needs to be a machined like fit them plasma will work just fine, again, as long as its set up correctly.

[Clodhopper]

Unless it needs to be a machined like fit them plasma will work just fine, again, as long as its set up correctly.

So, where do you learn to do this? I hear it from alot of guys, but I have yet to find a site that describes how to set up a table to get better cuts. Do I just have to throw cash at the table supplier for training? I hate doing those type courses because they spend too much time on the stupid stuff and never get to the complex issues. Always seems a waste of money.

[cvt]

check this place out, www.fabricationautomation.com. I have been dealing with the owner, Randy Stewart, for about five years now. I would have to say he is the most knowledgeable in the market. He usually has used machine laying around. If he does not, he knows somebody that does. If you buy from him and he does the setup, training is included, but I personally don't think you'll need it. The books pretty much tell you all you need to know. It's all tweaking from there. If you get one and need help, email me at vtaylor@metaltrades.com , and i'll try to help you. Give Randy some time to contact you. He is the owner, operator, tech guy, salesman, and all for his company. Good Luck.

[Bruce T]

Clodhopper, Its like anything else. Practice. Same as welding, painting, bending ect. For cnc plasma you have the basic setups like amps, air pressure, nozzle selection and condition, cut speed, ect. First of all you MUST have clean, dry air and start with a new set of consumables. Then look at your machines specs for basic speed and amps for the thickness and type of material your cutting. When you design your part you must also do some test cuts (in the selected material) to get an accurate kerf width by checking it with a mic. That is then figured into the program so when you convert it to cut paths it will adjust for the width of the kerf. To be VERY accurate it MUST be done with the material and consumables (at least same oriface size) you plan to cut accurately. I then do a bunch of test cuts while adjusting the air pressure, amps, and speed till I get a clean, dross free, perfect cut. Then I write down all the particulars for this material as a STARTING POINT for next time in this material. Keep in mind this is for only a few customers that require a much more accurate part (some former laser customers :) ) For 90 percent of my work I have a basic kerf width that is plugged in and have done enough cutting in the different materials that I can get a good quality cut much quicker by using past recordings. This is all pretty basic but I forget to do some things that will result in a bad ( by my standards) cut or appearance. So I be sure to do all the triple checks and practice cuts before an important job. If I cut a 4 by 8 bracket with a 3/4 hole in it I can very easily, without too much trouble, get the bracket something like 4.01 or so by 8.007 (you get the idea) but the trouble sometime lies in the hole. The smaller the hole (like 1/2 and under) the bigger the problem. It will want to cone slightly. How much also depends on the material thickness. The hole size will be perfect on the top and slightly undersized on the bottom. It can be drill out or sometimes I just use my machine to pierce a perfect center point and drill out the entire hole. Drilling a hole with a bit that is just barely hits the edges jacks up the bit with a quickness and the material is a bit hardened from the cutting at that edge. Hope that helps you a bit but like I said, It takes a lot of practice. Later, Tab

[Clodhopper]

Practice...test cuts...write down all the particulars for this material as a STARTING POINT for next time in this material.

That answers most of it with regard to training. just play with the damn thing and take notes. Thanks Tab!

Is there a web board devoted to cnc plasma or cnc cutting? A place to get ideas and ask questions? Best places I have found so far are here and Offroadfabnet.com. The welding based boards seem to have info, but more as an aside, rather than a focus. Is there a recognized good source for the plasma/welding world like Pirate is for offroad?

[MC]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/

[Clodhopper]

That would be what I was looking for! Thanks MC!