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PlasmaCAM – Part 1

John P.

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PlasmaCAMToday a dream came true. For about two years now I’ve been planning, comparing, procrastinating… but today my new CNC Plasma Cutting machine arrived.

After comparing a wide variety of machines including DynaCNC, PlasmaCAM, Practical CNC, TorchMate, Dynatorch, and MultiCam, I settled on the PlasmaCAM for the following reasons:

  • PlasmaCAMThe machine breaks down and ships in a container approximately 5′ x 2′ x 2′. Although it weighs 380 lbs, they shipped it to a Dallas distribution center from Denver for under $250. It arrived in less than 48 hours and I took my trailer to the distribution facility where they loaded it for me. Once home, I was able to uncrate it and move the parts into my garage for assembly by myself.
  • PlasmaCAMPlasmaCAM is the 900lb Gorilla in the “hobby” CNC plasma cutting market. They have a huge installed user base, and there are many people who are quite active on the Yahoo groups PlasmaCAM Users Group and PlasmaCAM Technical Forum.
  • The control software is supposed to be some of the easiest around to use. And although I’m an expert users the last thing I want is another software learning curve.
  • PlasmaCAM TorchThe machine will work perfectly with my Hypertherm 1000 plasma cutter with the handheld torch.

There are a few drawbacks.

  • This machine is not as big as I’d like. But then again, some of the larger machines weigh over 700lbs and their shipping weight is 1600 lbs. Rather difficult to move without a forklift handy.
  • This machine does not natively support a routing head, which I would have really liked to have.

Still, I intend to work this beast like crazy and already have designs I’ve been waiting for a year to cut.

PlasmaCAMHere is the initial table setup process in a nutshell. First I must say that the setup DVD that comes with the machine is possibly the best instruction manual I’ve ever encountered. I took my laptop to the garage and watched the DVD as I completed the install. It took me a total of 3 hours from crate to completion, and I did it by myself in 100 degree heat.

PlasmaCAM CratingThe crating was amazingly efficient and extremely solid. They thought of everything! They even used different colored screws so that you could easily tell which ones to unscrew while uncrating. Now, the video talked about how to uncrate the machine, but it was packed in the crate so by the time you see that you’ve probably already taken everything out. No matter, it was very intuitive.


The video walked you through every step of the assembly.

  1. PlasmaCAM FrameFirst, you build the frame which holds the material support slats.
  2. Then you loosely bolt on the legs and flip the table over.
  3. The material support slats are then inserted into the table frame.
  4. The video instructs you how, and which bolts to tighten as you begin to firm things up.
  5. Next the gantry rails go on, and the gantry slide into the rails and is bolted in place.
  6. The cable swing arm is installed (which will keep the cables out of the cutting heads way)
  7. Then the torch head holder connects to the gantry.
  8. PlasmaCAM AdjustmentsFinally, everything is tightened up and checked for clearances.

My machine went together very smoothly and easily (keeping in mind that I am a skilled worker). In fact, it was much better than I expected.

PlasmaCAM SetupNow, I’m not done yet. Next I have to build a computer and a mobile stand so that I can move my PC which will control the machine in between my office and the garage. After the PlasmaCAM PC is ready, I’ll hook it to the machine and run through some sort of set up diagnostics… and then I need to do some special wiring to hook up this machine to my Plasma Torch so that the machine can tell it when to turn on and off.

Stay tuned to see how things go as the saga continues. And don’t worry; once the machine is fully operational I’ll be posting demonstration videos of it in all it’s glory. (I feel like the emperor talking about the completion of the Death Star!)

Continue on to Part 2 of the PlasmaCAM story.

Edit: I also added a review of the PlasmaCAM sales video which many people have found useful for seperating fact from fiction.

Comments

  1. Praise Jesus.
    Iam john KIHENJO in kenya,Africa and today is my greatest and happiest day .I have just been informed by DHL courier’s that my plasmaCAM machine just arrived @JKIA international airport today.It is the first in Kenya!…. A dream come true and can’t get sleep waiting for Monday to collect. I have planned for finances and the project for over two years and can’t believe that will actually lay my hands on the monster! Will cincerly thank plasmaCAM staff when I inspect the Gorilla as one mentioned.
    JOHN.

  2. I was wondering if someone could give me any tips on cutting somthing longer than the table. Is it just a mater of shifting the uncut pattern to the edge of table and restarting?

  3. Does anyone live close to Louisville KY that owns a PlasmaCAM? I am thinking about getting one and would like to see one operate before I bought one.

    Thanks
    Jacob K.

  4. hi
    am from Palestine , can you tell me how to buy a plasma cam , i saw many plasma cutter , but i like to ask about yours plasma cam , price and everything about it ,

    thank you

  5. I’m just getting things around to get myself ready to purchase a PlasmaCAM but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on an air compressor that would work good? I was wanting to run a couple air tools off of it too. Any suggestion of size, power requirements, or brands would be a help. Thanks!

  7. I Just purchased my PlasmaCam DHC2. I finished building the machine yesterday, and now I need to wire my Plasma tourch to the trigger controller wire. My plasma tourch is a Miller 375 spectrum.

  8. Ive’ been a user for 5yrs. just upgradded to the 5×10 I wiork in a structural steel facility and we made our own table first the outer two have rollers, the work table is made of angles and square tubing all vertically adjustable. With this setup you can do 12×12 square tubing for street lights and the such I have the freedom to do anything I want and have made a million adjustments to this machine I feel you made a wise decision in you purchase however make a better table that is adjustable and the world is at your finger tips…. Shaun

  9. John. . . Brian again!! Just wanted to let you know that we worked out the tumbling media issue. We are using porcelain tile!! We just could not afford the commercially sold media. . . and after much trial and error I found that porcelain tile did exactly what we needed it to do!!! The best part is that it is not that expensive and it lasts a very, very long time!!!

    Take care
    Brian

  11. Hi fouad
    you need to check a couple of points:
    1-your amps might be low
    2-or you r using too large of a nozle for the thickness
    3- Tip is too hi off the work piece
    I have set up a table for each thickness and material type
    this is a must.
    do some trials and record the best setting
    our best nozzle is a 75amp it works best between 5and 15mm steel, we vary the amps and speed
    good luck
    Habib

  12. HI, people I need help from any one worked with this PlasmaCam machine
    I called the PlasmaCam support I did not get the help I need

    My problem is
    “after I setup the machine computer, software, large air compressor and the torch miller spectrum 625 I m getting problem in the cut after cutting steel or aluminum the KERF WIDHT is too large of what we need and what we saw in the plasmacam video ”
    do I need to change this torch ?? I missing something ??
    I will appreciate any help in how to make the resolution of the cut better

    Thank you

  13. Hey, I heard their tech support isn’t the greatest. Then again, I emailed torchmate a gazillion times and have yet to hear from them for even a priced out system. I just saw a company with a red table on another post http://www.cnccuttingmachines.com and their table looks much better to the eye anyway. Anyone heard of them? CNC Cutting Machines? Their table is red with chrome plating and they told me they give me 2 days onsite tech support to get things running for their 4×8 tables and bigger. They also said their table is complete turnkey and their is nothing to program or setup when it gets delivered, but why would I need the tech then? Is the software hard to learn on these tables? They say industrial table, but can an average joe run it? That would be me. thanks in advance.

  14. Dave, thanks for the comment. Small world – I’m in Manchester too. I’m really frustrated – been trying to get in touch with PlasmaCam from here and using a colleague in South America. I really want one of these for private use but my company supplies workshop and fabrication gear. Seems PlasmaCam doesn’t want to know about either!

    Get in touch if you fancy a chat about any decent alternatives. contact@blackrockhire.co.uk

  15. Hi Conor Im in similar position as you (live in UK Greater Manchester area & looking for a good machine,dont know if this Torchmate one thats currently on Ebay is what your after? or of any interest to you.
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120225120821&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

    Its a pity British engineering hasnt kept pace with the rest of the world,there certainly much more choice in the States in regards to all types of tooling.

    Best of luck
    Dave.

  16. Hey all,

    Don’t know how active this thread is, but I could really do with some buying advice about a cutting table – We’ve got our eye on the PlasmaCAM, but I know there are other good products around.

    One of my problems is that we’re in the UK and there’s really nothing here that can match the sortf of products you guys can get hold of!

    If anyone can help out decision, it’d be great to hear from you.

    Thanks a lot,
    Conor

  18. Brian,

    I’m glad to hear that things are coming along nicely for you. With regards to your tumbling question, I’m sorry but I don’t have much experience in this area. I had a link somewhere that gave a comparison between the different tumbling media, but I can’t find it anymore.

    If you find any resources on line feel free to share them with us. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help with this.

    John

  19. Hi John,

    Brian from California here long time no posting for me, trust me I HAVE BEEN BUSY!! My Pop and I are oh so close to start manufacturing the “Tug Tool” at my Pop’s place up in WA. State. (Me being in CA makes it a little tough, but we are making it happen!!)

    Thanks for all the help and advice so far.

    I am in the process of dialing in the “Marking of the Tools” and getting the tumbling process in ship shape. (boy this sure has been a long, interesting and enlightening road!!!)

    John, would you happen to know what media would work best for tumbling/rounding the edges for 304 stainless steel. Let me take one step back, I have checked into purchasing media and that was an unexpected rather large expense for what we need. (As I stand here with empty pockets!!) Is there anything you know of that I can use in the interim to get me started.

    FYI: the table is setup, the PC and plasma cutter (almost dialed in) compressor and air dryer purchased. Just working on Fabing the tumbler tables that tilt to lesson the strain on my Pop’s back. We are using 55 gallon drums on rollers from a conveyor belt that used to be in operation at a log yard!!
    Boy this fabing and creating stuff with what you have laying around is fun and did I mention cost effective!!!

    And if I may send a shout out to Ron in WA State, My Pop is in Port Angeles, maybe you 2 can get together and help each other with any issues. Let me know and I will put you guys in touch.

    A HUGE THANK YOU again for ALL your help John, you have been a tremendous help in making this a successful venture so far. Hopefully, it will continue for years to come!!!
    Take care and Best Wishes
    Brian

  20. That question is literally impossible to answer. For so many reasons…

    • First of all, it depends on how good of a sales person you are and how much competition you have.
    • It’s also dependent on the material and quantity you’re cutting. Tons and tons of thick aluminum would be considerably more expensive than a few pieces of thin steel.
    • How detailed of parts are we talking about? And how are they being supplied? There is work involved in making them cut ready but I don’t know how much until I see the artwork.
    • I could go on…

    Although this machine is durable and can be used every day I would NOT consider it appropriate for a job-shop type of machine. If your intention is to cut parts for people you are going to need to cut LOTS of them to make money and a little 4’x4′ table isn’t going to do it.

    If you just want to cut a few parts in the machines spare time for friends and acquaintances then you probably aren’t going to really sit down and do the hard math to determine your exact cost per hour plus margin. Just make up a number and cut the parts. It’s not going to pay for it’s self this way though…

    John

  22. The plasma cam was a better choice than the dynacnc . I did lot of research in buying a table and there is lot of unhappy customers on other forums with dyna cnc poor customer service and quality.

    Good luck with the table you will love it.

  23. Yes I have the patterns in dxf format. The largest pattern will be 7 X 10 in max, and there are approximately 40 of them. Thickness is not a critical dimension although I would want all the patterns to be made on the same thickness material. 20 mil should be plenty although I’m looking for something bendable with my hands and smooth. so If it is thinner no prob.

    Thanks for offering your help BTW! I hadn’t had any luck with getting this done till now.

    BC

  24. Bill,

    Do you have the patterns you need cut already digitized in CAD, Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw?
    What type and thickness of material do you need them cut out of?
    How many pieces do you need cut and from what are the relative sizes?

    Feel free to respond with this data here, and you may also want to post it on the PlasmaCAM groups I listed previously in the article.

    John

  25. Hey I’ve been looking for someone who uses a plazma cam to cut out some templates. I model custom cars in 1/8th scale and am curious to see if the plazma cam can be an asset. know any one willing to do small patterns for a reasonable price?

  27. Well, the table alone was about $9,500. But the torch was another $2,000, plus a PC to run it. You also need a large air compressor ($1,000), an air dryer ($300) and other miscellaneous stuff. All in all it was around $15,000.

    John