On Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:39:50 GMT, wrote:

Anybody here have or use one of these? My neighbor is really curious
from the ads he's seen.
Thanks,
Eric
------------
Their web site is http://www.plasmacam.com/indexfla.php

I helped get one of these units with a 4 X 8 table [now up to 20
on the web site] installed and running at the welding program in
a college in Texas just before I retired. My contribution was
get the computer interface aperational and program generation
software installed.

Everything considered it seemed to be working well and be
straight forward in operation. Major intended use was to cut
HWAC and other developments, but very extensive use was being
made to fabricate HD signs for the college and other ornamental
projects.

The only thing that I would be careful of is that operation
generates *LARGE* amounts of black dust, so you will need some
sort of protective enclosure for the control computer or will
want to pony up for the water table. An attached garage
installation is almost sure to blow black dust through out the
house without a water table. [A water table is probably cheaper
than a divorce...]

The program generation software will run on an older computer but
is slow (at least the version we had) and you will want to run
this on a late model computer for acceptable performance. An
older [cheaper] computer seems to be adequate for the actual
plasma cutter control. While the PlasmaCam software does have
limited CAD capabilities, it can import files generated in DXF
and other common formats from CAD programs such as AutoCAD and
IntellICAd. (These also have extensive development and nesting
add-ins available) The learning curve for the software is not
bad, but there is a tendency to skip around and make repeated
cuts unless you are careful with the layouts. The output file
for the cutter is a g-code dialect.

Note that you will need to supply a good HD plasma arc cutter in
addition to a PC for operation. The duty cycle for the plasma
arc cutter is quite high, so an industrial rather than a hobby
level unit is required. Given the price, I would call this far
more of a light industrial machine rather that an occasional use
hobby machine.

Good luck to you and your friend, and let the group know you
experiences.


Unka' George [George McDuffee]
-------------------------------------------
He that will not apply new remedies,
must expect new evils:
for Time is the greatest innovator: and
if Time, of course, alter things to the worse,
and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better,
what shall be the end?

Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English philosopher, essayist, statesman.
Essays, "Of Innovations" (1597-1625).