hello everyone

[paul77]

hello all name is paul from Detroit Michigan looking to get into doing some plasma cutting and metal work anyone have any good suggestions for beginner tables or programs to look for when purchasing

[robertspark]

Hello and welcome

Sheetcam for cad to gcode for plasma in my opinion

Tables..... Consider building your own.... You will learn a lot and when it does not work right you will know what to do and buy to replace.

Contact acourtjester for a set of plans via pm to at least consider and get an idea of a bill of materials even if you decide to go another route you know what the base option is.

If you build a machine
Please don't start out with mach3 there are loads of other CNC controller softwares available, including linuxcnc + plasmac if you want to go the Linux route or uccnc if you want to go the windows route.
Mach3 is no longer developed, costs $175 for the licence and other options are available where there was once few at lower cost.


If you want to buy a small table a crossfire seems popular https://www.langmuirsystems.com/crossfire

Also have a look at all the plasmaspider sponsors as they make some nice tables too.

Be careful with a second hand table as you may end up with something that the manufacturer no longer supports and won't assist you with without an expensive upgrade (ie factor that into your table cost..... One manufacturer I think asks a couple of grand before they will talk to you....)

Have a trawl through the forum as it is full of discussions about everything plasma before you make any decisions as everything has negatives somewhere.... Whether it is your time to build and wire something to your own capability to some shall we say unhelpful manufacturer support ..... Long lead times potentially etc


Oh and consider your table size carefully as you may outgrow it sooner than you think..... Plus the torch height control whether it is done internally with minimal hardware (linuxcnc and plasmac) or externally via a separate controller such as the price avhc or minithc ..... Please avoid the proma as or 150 though as you may be disappointed in the end.

Proma do seem to offer a good all in one solution called myplasma (I've not used it but there is a user on here who has reviewed it)

If you are happy to use Linux the linuxcnc + plasmac should be high up on the list..... Just consider that Linux is not windows when it comes to plug and play.

[paul77]

The table I have been looking at is made by stv cnc out of Las Vegas. Table is 4x8 with water. But the controller program is myplasmacnc. Anyone have experience with this program.

[robertspark]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30045&p=182385&hili ... NC#p182385
may be of help to have a read

https://www.google.com/search?q=proma+m ... 24&bih=529

https://www.proma-elektronika.com/myplasm-cnc-system/

never used it, cannot comment.

Appears to be an interesting integrated system though.