TEST FILE - Jim Colt

[CNCCAJUN]

Hello Jim;

Do you know of or have a test file/dfx that could be used to put a cnc plama table through a real test.

Sort of a gold standard as to what to expect for a low end table, mid-level & a high end.

Lets say different files based on 16 gauge, 14 gauge, 10 gauge, 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2".

It is becoming rapidly clear to me that the thin material is the hill to climb.

A lot of guys on here cut 14 gauge for all sorts of things.

I am asking you because I feel certain that Hypertherm already has a set of test files for demo purposes.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[abmagrum]

Most tables should cut 14 gauge no problem I have a Arclight table and I have cut 20 gauge no problem

If you have a concern about a certain table just ask you will get honest answers here

[jimcolt]

Hypertherm has a variety of different cut files that are used in our development labs when we are designing consumables, torches, etc. Depending on what we are working on, the sample files will favor things like holes, acute angles, inside sharp corners, fine features such as sawtooth patterns. In the labs we typically will cut a few hundred or thousand parts, measure every feature of every part on a coordinate measuring machine, compile the data. The part is also weighed asoon as cut, then any dross knocked off, weighed again....this detemines dross levels. These types of sample parts are not the ones we use to show our system capabilities at trade shows, etc. We also have some pen tracing sample programs to determine if machines have adequate path following error as well as acceleration capabilities....these are designed into our (Hypertherm Automation) CNC controllers and work with the diagnostics embedded in the cnc (which has graphing capabilities, oscilloscope functions, etc.)....so likely would not work with just any CNC.

We do have a sample part that is rather difficult for some machines to cut that we uses as a standard cut sample...I'll see if I can get the .dxf file from our demo lab guys.

Jim Colt

Hello Jim;

Do you know of or have a test file/dfx that could be used to put a cnc plama table through a real test.

Sort of a gold standard as to what to expect for a low end table, mid-level & a high end.

Lets say different files based on 16 gauge, 14 gauge, 10 gauge, 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2".

It is becoming rapidly clear to me that the thin material is the hill to climb.

A lot of guys on here cut 14 gauge for all sorts of things.

I am asking you because I feel certain that Hypertherm already has a set of test files for demo purposes.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[pertneer]

We do have a sample part that is rather difficult for some machines to cut that we uses as a standard cut sample...I'll see if I can get the .dxf file from our demo lab guys.

Jim Colt

This may be interesting to see just how bad I built my machine and how much my future upgrade will help. I am looking forward to see this one.

[CNCCAJUN]

Hello JIm,

Have you had any luck with the "file from hell" as I am sure some plasma table manufacturers may call it . . .?

Steve

[wickedinhere]

I mainly cut 16 gauge and have no problems with my PM45 on any file.

[CNCCAJUN]

If anybody has a really detailed file that they have cut successfully in 14 or 16 gauge that would challenge a CNC PLASMA TABLE, please post it.

As for the Plasma Cutter, I know HyperTherm & Thermadyne can do anything as well or better than any other.

I am more concerned with a table it's self. Can it deliver on a tough file.

Lots of sharp turns, small circles, etc . . . whatever is hardest for a CNC Plasma Table to do.

Every demo you see is of a table cutting large logos, letters, parts etc . . .

I want to see a tough file on thin material . . . .

Steve

[BTA Plasma]

Tables that do not use a propietary control like those found on tables 100K and up typically do not ever lower amperage or air pressure. There is one exception and that is the CandCNC system with DCC control which will do that for corners. Using simple acel and decel numbers gets you close for the budget however will burn sharp edges. Where controls that control air pressure and amperage will ramp down at the corners while the table is decellerating and ramp up when its acellerating. Alot of tables out there that use Mach 3 out acellerate high end tables but cannot control amperage and air pressure. Those that utilize CandCNC controls will allow the user to use Hypertherms and DCC (direct current control) to control the amperage and air pressure on powermax 65/85/105 and soon 125 machines but should not be considered to be in the same class as the upper echelon tables because they are still not using high density plasma which means the beam strength wont reach the yeild of the high density units. This means on the thicker materials your still dealing with a certain amount of taper no matter what you do. We have built hybrids using Hypertherms HSD high density and Thermal dynamics high density plasma units but havent fully integrated DCC on them.

There are alot of decent choices out there some better than others but make sure you do your homework and never let a salesman tell you something and assume its absolutely true. The truth is out there on every machine and folks on this site can really help you along. You also may be asking too much out of an air plasma cutter if your expecting laser like cuts on the thinnest material. Just by there nature they will make small geometry bounce from air moving over the sheet. If your really in need of perfection you wont find a better cutting system than a laser machine for thin material.