Hypertherm 1000 Air Compressor Requirements

[dadoftnj]

I have a Hypertherm Power max 1000 G3. I purchased it brand new in 2006. It is still a work horse of a cutter (like brand new). Over the years I've managed to get by on making occasional cuts using a 5 HP 13 gallon 5.5 SCFM @90 PSI. I know that is really not adequate for this machine. I'm interested in purchasing a 4 x 4 CNC plasma cutting system to do some hobby work in my home shop. Most CNC tables are suggesting the Hyper Max 45 which only requires 6.2 SCFM @ 90 PSI. My Hypertherm Powermax 1000 has so much more capacity then the 45. My question is this. Can I go with a single stage 30 gallon 6.2 SCFM air compressor, or go ahead with the larger 2 stage 60 gallon 7.2 SCFM? My normal logic says always go bigger and I have the electrical outlets for both (120 and 240).

[adbuch]

I would personally opt for the larger compressor. Although you may be able to get by with the smaller one, you may find additional uses for the larger one (blast cabinet, sand blasting, etc.) which consume more air than your 45xp will use. In my hobby shop, I have a Speedaire 7.5 HP/80 gal/2-stage/27cfm compressor I purchased new from Graingers over 30 years ago and it is still running strong. I have used if for auto painting, blasting, air tools, plasma cutting, and many other applications.

David

[dadoftnj]

Thank you David! Normally when I think of tools I always say I would rather have too much and not need it, than to gave too little and need more later. I figured that was the way I was headed. Actually I have the Power max 1000 not the 45. My next question on this forum will be a good recommendation for a 4 x 4 CNC table capatible with my Hypertherm that will not break the bank.
Vinnie

[adbuch]

Thank you David! Normally when I think of tools I always say I would rather have too much and not need it, than to gave too little and need more later. I figured that was the way I was headed. Actually I have the Power max 1000 not the 45. My next question on this forum will be a good recommendation for a 4 x 4 CNC table capatible with my Hypertherm that will not break the bank.
Vinnie

Vinnie, there will be many opinions on that. Some will tell you to save money by building a diy table, and others will recommend a particular brand of turn key system. Although I use the Plasmacam DHC2 4x4, my personal recommendation for something more economical would be one of the Langmuir Systems tables - the Crossfire Pro or equivalent. You could check out their site for available options.

I'm not sure if the Powermax 1000 has the capability to use FineCut consumables, but if not there may be a Hypertherm Duramax torch upgrade compatible with your cutter. The FineCuts will most likely give better results on thinner material (10 ga. and thinner steel) for better details in your cuts (for detailed work) and will provide a narrower kerf width and less heat into the part to help reduce warping.

David

[dadoftnj]

Thanks again David! I have actually looked at the Crossfire Pros. My problem is they seem to be too good to be true. I wasn't sure if they were legit or just a product of good marketing. I have a T-60 manual torch head and a machine torch head I've used on my track torch set up. I'll contact my local Hypertherm dealer and find out more about the fine cut consumables. But the Crossfires are right about what I am looking for. Thanks a lot.
Vinnie

[adbuch]

Thanks again David! I have actually looked at the Crossfire Pros. My problem is they seem to be too good to be true. I wasn't sure if they were legit or just a product of good marketing. I have a T-60 manual torch head and a machine torch head I've used on my track torch set up. I'll contact my local Hypertherm dealer and find out more about the fine cut consumables. But the Crossfires are right about what I am looking for. Thanks a lot.
Vinnie

Vinnie - I have heard nothing but praise from the Langmuir table owners on this forum. The most popular seems to be the CrossFire Pro, but I think they also have a larger model. So it depends on your specific needs. My Plasmacam table is 4x4, and I generally don't cut anything larger than that - mostly smaller stuff. When I buy my material, I have the supplier cut the 4x8 sheets in half so the 4x4 size is perfect for me. For thicker stuff - say 1/4" - I buy it in 12" x 20 ft. pieces and have them cut it down to 4 ft. lengths for me. I don't have (and don't need a fork lift) and manually load pieces on and off my table. The thickest I buy in 4 ft. x 4 ft. is 11 ga, otherwise it is just too heavy for me to easily handle.

David

[dadoftnj]

David I don't plan on using any metal bigger than 4 x 4. But then again about 10 years ago someone asked me to cut them.out a 7 ft. mermaid and mount it on a wall by their pool. I had to hand sketch and hand cut it. Needless to say I used a full 4 x 8 sheet of 11 gage. I'm not hampered by the size or weight of the material. I constructed my home hobby shop where I can back a trailer into it and I installed an overhead hoist system. Plus I cheated and put locking castor wheels on.my main fab table. I have room for the new Crissfire 4 x 8 but that's not where I really want to go
I'm close to retiring from my industrial job of 35 years and just want to have my hobby shop to keep busy. I really appreciate all of this info.
Vinnie

[adbuch]

The Crossfire Pro is about 48 x 33. For longer sheets you can index them under the gantry. So you could actually cut something out of a full 4 x 8 or 4 x 10 sheet as long as you can support the ends hanging off the table as you cut your 33" sections.

[adbuch]

Here is an example or a part longer than 33 inches that you could cut in sections by indexing thru your table under the gantry.
David

crossfire pro 2.jpg (63.31 KiB) Viewed 1136 times

crossfire pro 2.jpg (63.31 KiB) Viewed 1136 times

[weldguy]

I would go with the larger compressor, it will serve you much better now and down the road. Be sure to get good a filtration system to eliminate contamination and water in your air supply, this is even more important with smaller compressors as they tend to produce more water.

[Toni hausfeld]

I have read somewhere that first, the arc heats the metal until it's semi-gaseous. Second, the plasma is forced by blasts of air to finish the cut. Therefore, all plasma cutters need an air compressor to generate enough air pressure for the task. If you buy a plasma cutter without a built-in source of air, you'll need a separate air compressor.