Budget CNC table....anyone use this one?

[Rambozo]

I did get info on the Plasmacam. So what makes that one a draw and cut system!?!? School me please? I thought a cutting program is a cutting program...

What they have done, and there are probably others as well, is write one piece of software to do everything. This makes it easier to learn but maybe a little less flexible than the usual 3 step methods. Usually you use one software package to draw your designs (CAD), then another one to turn the drawings into G-code (CAM), and lastly a third program to actually run your machine (CNC). For example you might do your CAD in AutoCAD, do CAM with MasterCAM and then send it to a Haas CNC for the high end route. Or CAD in Inkscape, CAM with a Python script, and EMC2 for the CNC, for the total open source route. While the line between CAD and CAM is pretty blurry these days, with many programs doing both, you still have to usually send it to Mach 3 or some other program to actually run the machine. If you want to get up to speed quickly and make money, then time becomes very important. Not only time to learn the different software, but the time to process from idea to metal. The all in one approach can be very fast from concept to cut. A lot has to do with what you plan on making. For example if you are doing production runs, then good nesting software can save you metal. If you're doing one offs, that won't really matter. Also your work might dictate the kind of software you need to run. If you get customer supplied drawings in some obscure file format, you will need software that can deal with it. Another factor is if you plan on using your CNC for things besides plasma. Adding a router lets you do other things, but if you have a plasma only package, it might not have the tools to deal with routing. Or maybe adding another type of CNC, and having it run on the same type of control software, so you can jump right in, with a short learning curve.

[CGCINC]

What they have done ......

Thank you! Plasmacam sounds like the way to go for me maybe. How would I know if any other companies use a software package like that? Is it called anything special?

[Rambozo]

Thank you! Plasmacam sounds like the way to go for me maybe. How would I know if any other companies use a software package like that? Is it called anything special?

Google is your friend? I'm not really sure, so you should look around a little and see what's out there. Then haunt YouTube for some examples of how they work for real people, not just company demos.

[SeanMurphy265]

Torchmate's software is similar as well. Your probably going to pay big bucks for that type of software. CAD is not as hard to learn as you might think. Your building the part on the computer screen, and I find it helpful to draw something out before I build it. CAD can help you figure dimensions and give angles; it's very helpful if you do any fabricating.

[sportbike]

If you aren't into the whole learning experience, you may fair better just to find someone else to do the plasma table work when you need it. you can get quite a bit of cutting done for the cost of a table, and there is likely a business close to you that has a plasma cutting capability. Not to discourage you, but you may be better off just getting the work done elsewhere. Maybe even some of the guys on here will cut for you and ship. Probably not too expensive if it isn't too heavy, but local may be the way to go. You will still need to get teh shape down in some sort of electronic format to keep it reasonably priced.

[acourtjester]

Have you tried to see if there are some local guys you could work with to have a better idea of what is needed?
Put an ad in the paper or shopper for a hobbyist or DIY guy that you can talk to.
Also if you want to make money you will need to know what will sell and how much you can make for your work.
This stuff is not Black Magic you may be spooking yourself.
If you want one go for it, If not run from it, Sportbike is right if you don't have a lot to do.