If you are in the market for a CNC plasma cutter for metal cutting, you likely know that the search for the best CNC plasma table can be daunting. With so many different manufacturers and variables in cutting needs, budgets, infrastructure, and job types, it is common to feel confused or overwhelmed trying to determine how to get the best table for your needs.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult. While Hypertherm does not manufacture CNC tables, we are ready to guide you through the process of choosing the best CNC plasma table and cutting system for your specific situation.
How do I choose the right CNC table for my budget and needs?
With so many different manufacturers, and variables in cutting needs, budgets, infrastructure, and job types, it is common to feel confused or overwhelmed trying to determine the best table for your needs.
What is a CNC table?
A CNC plasma cutting table, similar to a CNC router, is a machine that uses automated technology to cut materials like metal with precision and speed. It can support numerous manufacturing processes, including routing, drilling, oxyfuel cutting, plasma cutting, waterjet cutting, and laser cutting.
A typical CNC table has several key components:
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First, there is the table itself, which serves as the base for the workpiece. A typical table includes a welded bed with a series of slats and some form of fume mitigation, usually a down draft or water table system.
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Attached to the table is a pair of rails which serves as the X-axis.
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A gantry system is connected to the rails and is powered by a series of drives and typically a rack and pinion system. Depending on the cut speeds and positional accuracy requirements, the table motion will be driven by either servo or stepper motors. The gantry typically serves as the Y-axis.
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The gantry has a station, or multiple stations, equipped with tooling or cutting torches and torch height control (THC) systems. These serve as the Z-axis.
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Heavy duty CNC tables usually have multiple add-ons, such as drills and oxyfuel torches, in addition to the primary cutting or routing process.
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The CNC table itself is connected to the CNC controller, which is the brains of the machine. The CNC controller provides the motion control and tool specification codes required for a specific job. It can be an industrial touch screen controller, or it can be as basic as a laptop, depending on how sophisticated the table is.
Uses for CNC tables
CNC plasma cutting is used by everyone from home hobbyists to some of the world’s most advanced manufacturers.
A home hobbyist is most likely to have a small 4 ft x 4 ft table where they can create metal signs, small replacement parts, metal art, and other small projects.
Small businesses will typically invest in a CNC table when manual cutting, drilling, and/or routing solutions fail to support customer quality and demand requirements. Through automation, CNC tables let fabricators and manufacturers control quality and production requirements.
Because of the improved quality and increased output, small CNC tables with plasma cutters, laser cutters, waterjets, and oxyfuel torches are used by job shops, sheet metal shops, custom fabricators, metal artists, and vertically integrated manufacturers across the world. Hypertherm’s Powermax® systems are commonly found on small to medium sized CNC tables.
Larger, more sophisticated CNC tables are used by the aerospace, energy, shipbuilding, trailer manufacturing, and heavy equipment industries for flat plate cutting. Hypertherm’s XPR, HPR, and MAXPRO plasma systems are commonly found on larger CNC tables.
Why plasma is used with CNC tables
Plasma cutting is a great fit for a wide range of CNC tables with various motion control and speed capabilities because of the arc density and consistent arc shape created by the plasma process – specifically the plasma consumables. Plasma is used to cut a wide range of conductive materials, including mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and other metals. It can be used on both thick and thin metals and has faster cut speeds and better cut quality than alternatives like oxyfuel.
XPR plasma, which is known for its superior arc density and shape, provides the best cut quality when used on a CNC table with excellent motion control and high travel speeds. The XPR’s X-Definition® plasma offers unmatched cut quality, as well as increased cut speed, improved productivity, and lower operating costs. XPR tables can provide outstanding cutting results on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum at a variety of thicknesses up to 2.5 inches.
Plasma system users planning to cut mostly thin (0.75 inch or thinner) mild steel with less stringent quality and production requirements might consider a smaller table size with a Hypertherm Powermax air plasma system (30-125 amps). Powermax plasma systems deliver consistent, high-quality cuts, reducing the need for secondary operations such as grinding, increasing productivity, and lowering total costs of operations.
Additional considerations when choosing a CNC plasma table
Budget is a key consideration when purchasing a CNC plasma table. The entry point for a quality CNC plasma table is $20,000, but if you need more features, the table may cost more. Evaluate exactly what your requirements are to ensure you have the budget for the table that best fits your needs – today and in the future. CNC tables last many years, so you need to account for future business growth.
Good customer support is critical. Verify if the CNC table OEM has onsite or remote tech support, or both, and check how their support is rated by their customers. Steer clear of companies with poor customer service ratings. Also, check for additional customer resources, such as how-to videos and articles to help troubleshoot small issues or demonstrate how to use the table. Those resources can be helpful to quickly answer questions or resolve minor issues without requiring a customer support call.
Look carefully at the software packages offered by each table manufacturer. The learning curve and time it takes to master different software packages varies greatly between software programs. Hypertherm offers ProNest® for advanced mechanized cutting and ProNest LT for light mechanized cutting, and some tables come with their own CAD drawing software as well as post processor or CAM software.
Check how many years of warranty you will receive with your CNC plasma cutting machine purchase. While CNC tables can last many years when well taken care of, you still want a warranty that extends long enough to ensure the table is well manufactured and all components are working properly. A 5-year warranty is much more valuable than a 1-year term for example.
Verify if the table warranty includes the power supply. You want a warranty that covers all the table components to avoid additional, unplanned expenses.
Hypertherm can help you choose the right CNC plasma table partner for your needs
Hypertherm partners with a number of table manufacturers that meet our specifications for quality and customer service. If you're ready to start your search, we can provide you with educational information and guidance on finding the best CNC plasma machine to fit your needs and budget. Contact us today, and we will respond to your request within 2 business days.
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