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Choosing a CNC Plasma Table

Things to consider when purchasing a plasma table. Follow the steps below to help customize your ideal CNC System.

When choosing a CNC Plasma Table there are a few main ideas to consider that are often overlooked. These steps will help you determine the setup that best suits your needs, allows for future growth and expands your capabilities.

Step 1

Table Considerations

Table size is one of the most important considerations for a new system. CNC Plasma Tables are available in the following sizes: 6x12, 5x10, 4x8, 5x5, 4x4, 4x2.

Shop space plays a major factor in your table selection. Carefully measure your shop space and compare this to the overall dimensions of the table that you are considering as well as the control cabinet footprint (24”swing radius). Consider how material will be loaded and unloaded. Material is typically loaded from the operator's left side of the table. A custom “Reverse Build” option reconfigures the table to easily be loaded from the operator’s right side. A reverse build is a no charge option, contact our sales team to specify your table build. There are a few additional things to consider for your shop space:

• Material Storage
• Plasma Cutter
• Air Compressor
• Secondary Finishing Tools
• Proximity to 120V and 220V
• Electrical Supply
• Recommended Earth Grounding

Material thickness will help inform you as to what table and which plasma cutter is best suited for your needs. Consider the max thickness and the typical thickness of your projects. For thinner gauge materials an Arc Pro™ Ultra Series Table will work great. If you plan on frequently handling heavier materials ½” and above an Arc Max Ultra Series Table will be better suited for your needs. For the heaviest cutting applications the Arc Max Unlimited is engineered to handle cutting thicknesses up to 3 inches thick. The maximum plate thickness also plays a direct role in your plasma cutter selection. Thicker materials will require a higher amperage plasma cutter.

The Arc Pro Ultra Series tables offer a solution for anyone needing to cut metal with a CNC Plasma System. They have served customers in many industries including manufacturing, fabrication, sign making, auto restoration, prototyping and the education space for over 10 years.

The Arc Pro Elite Series bring Flashcut CNC to the Arc Pro Ultra Series

The Arc Max Ultra Series tables provide a premium heavy-duty solution with thicker plate capacities, high-output production and is built to withstand rugged work environments.

The Arc Max Elite Series brings easy to use Flashcut CNC capabilities to an industrial strength table.

The Arc Max Unlimited Series brings Flashcut CNC, MaxPro 200 and Oxy-fuel capabilities to an industrial strength table. When production capabilities and thicker cutting capacities matter to your business the Arc Max Unlimited CNC plasma tables are there to meet the demands.

Click Here to Compare Tables>>

Step 2

Select a Plasma Cutter

Select a plasma cutter based on the needs of your projects. Thickness, material type and available power are three defining factors when selecting a Hypertherm Plasma Cutter. In addition, the cut speed increases as amperage increases. Amperage, cut capacity and power requirements include:

Hypertherm Powermax45 XP
• 45A
• Pierce Capacity ½” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 1” mild steel
• Single Phase

Hypertherm Powermax65 SYNC
• 65A
• Pierce Capacity 5/8” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 1” mild steel
• Single or Three Phase

Hypertherm Powermax85 SYNC
• 85A
• Pierce Capacity 3/4” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 1 1/4” mild steel
• Single or Three Phase

Hypertherm Powermax105 SYNC
• 105A
• Pierce Capacity 7/8” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 1 1/2” mild steel
• Three Phase Only (200 - 600 Volts)

Hypertherm Powermax125
• 125A
• Pierce Capacity 1” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 1 1/2” mild steel
• Three Phase Only (480 - 600 Volts)

Hypertherm MAXPRO200
• 125A
• Pierce Capacity 1.25” mild steel
• Maximum Cut Capacity 2" mild steel
• Three Phase Only (200 - 600 Volts)

Shop Hypertherm Plasma Cutters>>

Step 3

Accessories

Expand the capabilities of your CNC Plasma Table beyond plate cutting. Arclight Dynamics offers the widest range of accessories in the industry including:

Engraver
Pipe Cutter
Router
Auto Tracer
Logic Board Digitizing System

Shop Accessories>>

Step 4

Table Options

Optimize the functionality and performance of your CNC Plasma Table with a wide range of table options. These features simplify operation, assist with material handling, improve efficiency and help overall performance. Some popular options include:

Arc Sync Technology
Air Filtration
Torch Breakaway and Bevel Cutting
Touch Screen Monitor
Mobile Cabinet
Hand Held Control Pendant
Frame Skirts
Double Slats
Plate In-Feed Rollers

Shop Options>>

Step 5

Software

All CNC systems require three types of software. CAD for design, CAM for nesting and toolpathing, CNC for table operation. Arclight Dynamics CNC Plasma Tables include a standard software package:

The Arc Pro Ultra and Arc Max Ultra Series come standard with SheetCAM, InkScape, QCAD, and Arclight CNC. Fully licensed and pre-installed on the system computer.

The Arc Max Elite and Arc Max Unlimited Series comes standard with industry leading Flashcut CNC capabilities offering full CAD, CAM, CNC integration. Fully licensed and pre-installed on the system computer.

Additional software offerings include:

ProNest - Automatic Nesting, Shape Library
Design2Fab - HVAC software
PipeFit Pro - Pipe Cutting Software
VCarve Pro - Routing Design Software
Vector Art Packages

Shop Software>>

Step 6

Warranty

All Arclight Dynamics CNC systems include our industry leading year warranty

The Arc Pro Ultra and Arc Max Ultra Series come standard with our industry leading 3 year warranty (motion control components) while most other manufactures only warrant their systems for 0 - 24 months.

The Arc Max Elite and Arc Max Unlimited Series running FlashCut CNC will include a 1-Year Manufacturers Warranty on the Controller, Cabling, and Motors. Other Electronics such as limit switches, E-Stop switches, and cables separate from the controller, motors, and motor cables will have a 2-year warranty. The included NUC computer will have a 3-year warranty and related electronics including Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse will have a 24 Month Warranty.

Warranty extensions are available for The Arc Pro™ and Arc Max Series (both new and pre-owned systems). These will extend your warranty an additional 1 or 2 years.

Shop Extended Warranty Options>>

Step 7

Air Supply

Select an air compressor based on your overall shop requirements. Minimum requirements for air are 15CFM at 90 PSI which typically equates to a 60 - 80 gallon tank with 5HP motor. In addition, air filtration and drying will help improve overall cut quality.

Air filtration is the single most effective step that you can take to improve cut quality, extend consumable life and protect your plasma cutter.

Both refrigerated and desiccant air drying systems will take your air quality to the next level, in some cases removing 100% of moisture in your air lines.

Arclight Dynamics offers a variety of Air Compressors, Filters and Dryers to compliment your CNC Plasma Table

Shop Air Compressors>>

Step 8

Step 8

Power Supply

When considering the power needs for your shop, consider the CNC table needs plasma cutter requirements, air compressor requirements and any additional shop equipment that may have significant amperage draw

Power supply requirements:

Table 120V, 15A
Plasma Cutters vary depending on amperage and available power
Air Compressors vary depending on amperage and available power

Step 9

Shop Tools

Most plasma cut parts will need some form of secondary processing. This can be as simple as wire cup and flap disk grinding or automated with some of the following solutions:

• EZ Sander Belt Sanding Surface Finishing
• Vortex Tumble Blasting Cabinet
• Kral’s Parts Tumbler - TDP

Shop Tools>>

Step 10

Consumables

Your CNC Plasma System will require the regular replacement of certain wear components. It would be good to keep on hand replacement parts and plasma consumables to maximize efficiency.

Shop Consumables>>

Arc Max Unlimited Series

The Unlimited series brings Flashcut CNC, MaxPro 200 and Oxy-fuel capabilities to an heavy-duty industrial strength table.

Arc Max Elite Series

The Elite series brings Flashcut CNC capabilities to an industrial strength table.

Arc Max Ultra Series

Industrial grade CNC for high-output production. Heavy-duty welded steel frame and precision components.

Arc Pro Elite Series

Proven CNC plasma table cutting systems for a variety of shops. Industrial grade technology in an accessible package.

Arc Pro Ultra Series

Proven CNC plasma table cutting systems for a variety of shops. Industrial grade technology in an accessible package.

Videos

Watch and learn more about Arclight Dynamics CNC Plasma Tables and how easy they are to operate.

Meet the Arc Max! This CNC System is built for commercial, industrial plasma cutting. The Arc Max features a heavy-duty frame, linear rails for outstanding precision, and several optional features as standard.

See how easy it is to use CommandCNC to cut your parts with automatic Digital Torch Height Control. Further expand the capabilities of the CNC System with the addition of Accessory Packages like the Plate Marker, Router, Pipe Cutter, and Auto Tracer.

Article

Jim Colt (legendary Hypertherm tech Guru) wrote a excellent article that details key features one should look for in a plasma table. Notice, Arclight is the only table specifically mentioned in the article. Cover photo was taken at Fantom Works Shop (Velocity channel’s TV show). Download the full article.

Get started now

Visit our online store to start building the perfect CNC plasma table package for your business.

ArcLight Dynamics Guarantee

We offer a worry-free 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee on all of our tables. Our aim is to ensure that all of our products are manufactured with the highest quality and standards. Learn more.

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