CNC Plasma Cutter: Post Purchase Costs

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

The biggest thing is with trial and error you will learn how much finishing you need to do on other machines. We can do most of our drive train side plates on the Plasma cutter.

With tips from the internet and through trial and error, 11 also completed both robots this year on a PlasmaCAM with some finish work on a CNC mill.

The shooter's sheetmetal was also cut on the plasma table, as well as all gussets on the frame. Small holes were finished off on a drill press with relative ease using jigs. I'll try to have one of the students who operates our machine post on here. I'm sure he would have the best feedback for you.

http://i.imgur.com/ybL2XiL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FlVBfQ6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8uyWIBp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d3XxHDy.jpg

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but 11 has welding curtains set up around the machine for safety. May want to look into that.

Originally Posted by magnets

Personally I don't like plasma cutters for FRC applications. They aren't super accurate (compared to waterjets), and they are expensive and a pain to run.

While not as accurate, this is a pretty poor comparison. Additionally, we have had no issues with ease of use. As mentioned, kids run all parts on the machine pretty easily. The whole point of adding machines in-house is so you don't have to rely on sponsor resources. There are very few teams/schools who can afford waterjet system, which are immensely more expensive to operate, while plasma systems are relatively low cost and produce satisfactory work when dialed in correctly.