Plasma Cam

[weldteach]

Anyone own one of these machines? www.plasmacam.com

If so what are your thoughts on it...are you pleased with the performance of it? Is it well built?

Thanks for the info...

[RcRacer]

I've got one. In my opinion, it is one of the best in it's class. Good construction and easy to use software.
What type of work are you interested in using it for.

[vicegrip]

Anyone own one of these machines? www.plasmacam.com

If so what are your thoughts on it...are you pleased with the performance of it? Is it well built?

Thanks for the info...

HI ! just another wish list item for me...how-ever I can use comp and dwell comands
on any cnc mill , to guide a spar bolted to the table , and hoovering over a workpeice on hoarses , set next to the mill.

any mill-cad , I use ( Bobcad ) can make a path.
have to start and stop plasma by hand...or use programmed coolant outlet
for torch on/off

[fyoung]

very expensive?

Hi, Are these very expensive?
Sure would be nice to have one!

[ScruffT]

I got the info pak awhile back. By the time I figured freight and software, it was pushing $11000.00. Is that expensive

[weldteach]

I got the info pak awhile back. By the time I figured freight and software, it was pushing $11000.00. Is that expensive

I got the info pack sometime back and it seemed, if I remember correctly it was in the neighborhood of 8-9k. I already have a plasma rig.

[weldteach]

I've got one. In my opinion, it is one of the best in it's class. Good construction and easy to use software.
What type of work are you interested in using it for.

I'm a high school metals teacher...so it's got to be sturdy. What is it made out of? Would you might telling me what you paid for it. I was thinking in the neighborhood of 8-9k...

[RcRacer]

The current price is just under 9k without shipping. The structural components are made from 6ga and 10ga steel.
I know you have the plasma cutter, just don't forget the cost of the computer

[Brand X]

Seems like this would be a better learning tool, since it can use many other programs.
Being proprietary type software would anti-leaning IMO.

They are the other side of your state and support will be top-notch.

http://www.dynacnc.com/

[RcRacer]

Seems like this would be a better learning tool, since it can use many other programs.
Being proprietary type software would anti-leaning IMO.

They are the other side of your state and support will be top-notch.

http://www.dynacnc.com/

The proprietary software that comes with the Plasmacam is a fully integrated CAD vector drawing program and table controller. The drawing program is great learning tool for those unfamiliar with vector drawing. The software is flexable and will also import .dxf file format from programs like Autocad or Corel Draw or even g-code. So in a learning environment, I don't think it's a limitation.
I agree that another good choice is DynaCNC or even Torchmate. All of them will provide a the same class of functions and all are well supported.
Your choice should be based on research that includes communicating directly with the companies you are evaluating.

[weldteach]

The proprietary software that comes with the Plasmacam is a fully integrated CAD vector drawing program and table controller. The drawing program is great learning tool for those unfamiliar with vector drawing. The software is flexable and will also import .dxf file format from programs like Autocad or Corel Draw or even g-code. So in a learning environment, I don't think it's a limitation.
I agree that another good choice is DynaCNC or even Torchmate. All of them will provide a the same class of functions and all are well supported.
Your choice should be based on research that includes communicating directly with the companies you are evaluating.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check into DynaCNC a bit more. For what I'm looking for in an exploratory-type metals course it seems to me that as far as an easy/frustration-free cnc platform the Plasma CAM is the way to go. I am also looking into bench mounted CNC mills & lathes (running MasterCAM) so I don't nessacarily need all the functions that the DynaCNC machine has...And the plasma cam's price tag isn't price tag isn't really that step relatively speaking. I've got spare computers by the dozen waiting around for jobs!

[Brand X]

This is want swayed me away from Plasma cam.

By going with a closed proprietary system your choices
become more and more limited. If you are a CAD - > SHeetCAM ->
MACH2 customer you can take advantage of the changes in any of the
sections without throwing the rest of it away. Both SHeetCAM and MACH2/3
are changing at the speed of light but you can elect to get on or off
of the bandwagon at any point.



I decided Tom Caudle hit the nail on the head.
I also did not want to buy their box if it had a melt down.
I know Toms THC is way superior to the plasmaCam unit
and many others also. I heard Dave on his table is
going to take another leap again. It never stops on
their stuff. You will never find better support then
Dave from DynaCnc, Les from SheetCam, Tom
and Jim from CandCnc and Art from Artsoft.
There are 1000's more people that will help
if they can't help.

Talk to all of them and you will see totally open is
the only way to fly.

[RcRacer]

This is want swayed me away from Plasma cam.

By going with a closed proprietary system your choices
become more and more limited. If you are a CAD - > SHeetCAM ->
MACH2 customer you can take advantage of the changes in any of the
sections without throwing the rest of it away. Both SHeetCAM and MACH2/3
are changing at the speed of light but you can elect to get on or off
of the bandwagon at any point.



I decided Tom Caudle hit the nail on the head.
I also did not want to buy their box if it had a melt down.
I know Toms THC is way superior to the plasmaCam unit
and many others also. I heard Dave on his table is
going to take another leap again. It never stops on
their stuff. You will never find better support then
Dave from DynaCnc, Les from SheetCam, Tom
and Jim from CandCnc and Art from Artsoft.
There are 1000's more people that will help
if they can't help.

Talk to all of them and you will see totally open is
the only way to fly.

I don't disagree with the above statements in principle but for the school, hobbiest or business that does not have the time or resource to spend on the learning curve required to jump from system to system, the Plasmacam system is the easiest IMO. All of the above mentioned systems, including the Plasmacam have a steep learning curve. They all have their individual quirks and bugs. It takes time and making some scrap before you get a good understanding of how the system works, especially any system that has some kind of digital height control. Like I said, if you use other CAD systems, you can still use them with Plasmacam. All of them output DXF, HPLT and g-code.

[Brand X]

I talked people out of the Practical table for many reasons. One guy local
bought a PlasmaCam instead and was cutting in about 6 hours.
He is been happy he bought his table because he needed to get
cutting right away. I just feel the higher quality table and the
group that are improving Daves table, more then balances out
the learning curve stuff. I bought mine before there was SheetCam
setup for my table and only a straight cad/cam program. Les spent
a whole lot of time working to get mine up and running.
It made it easy for the rest that followed. That is kind of
how the open source works.
I think it's pretty easy to use with a little time invested.

[gde]

I hate to burst anyone's bubble here, but I have heard a lot of BAD things about the plasmacam. I actually had a man ask if I wanted to buy his. He was so furious, esp with customer service, that he just wanted to get rid of it. He said it was "by far the WORST insvestment I ever made."
If I were you, I would do A LOT of research before dropping any $$ on one of these units. Just my opinion.