How to Evaluate CNC Plasma Cutting Equipment
- 1). Review cut quality. Look at metal pieces the CNC machine has cut to evaluate the quality the plasma cutter provides. Edges that have been cut should be smooth rather than rough and jagged. Check whether the machine maintained height control and cut pieces appropriately.
- 2). Evaluate the computer software. While the CNC plasma cutter does the actual work, a lot of the time will be spent programming the computer since it controls the equipment. A CNC plasma cutter that comes with software that is difficult to maneuver or crashes frequently can be frustrating for a professional and a hobbyist to use.
- 3). Examine the cost. Commercial CNC plasma cutting equipment often starts at $30,000 and goes up to more than $1 million, depending on the size and quality of the cutter. Cutting equipment designed for hobbyists generally ranges from between $1,000 and $5,000. Assess what your current needs and future expectations are for the CNC plasma cutter before you make a purchase to ensure that you don’t overspend or underspend based on what you need.
- 4). Calculate production capabilities. Use information provided by the manufacturers of CNC plasma cutters to evaluate different models and their production capabilities. Some can produce thousands of cuts per hour while others are much slower. Know what your specific needs are and purchase the appropriate plasma cutter.
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