Plasma cutting systems are used to make clean, sharp cuts to a variety of metals. They can be handheld manual machines or plasma cutting tables that use computerized systems to control cutting patterns. In order to keep your equipment in top shape and make efficient use of its features, be sure to keep your business stocked with the supplies for plasma cutting machines you require. Like any piece of equipment, a plasma cutting machine may occasionally break down or need maintenance. Usually the manufacturer can supply you with replacement parts, but many generic parts providers may have cheaper options that work just as well.

You can find most of the plasma cutter table or torch supplies you need online. Contact suppliers about a wide variety of parts or accessories, including:

1. Buy replacement parts for your plasma cutting table.
2. Find plasma torch replacement parts.
3. Software for plasma cutting machines.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find replacement parts for your plasma cutting table

Plasma cutting tables can take up significant space on any production floor and have a number of workable parts. If you need the supplies to fix your plasma table, whether it's a torch or a cable, your best bet may often be checking with the original manufacturer.

I recommend: Komatsu is a major manufacturer of plasma cutting tables, and offers a handy online order form for significant parts from torch assemblies to cooling tubes. Cincinnati Precision Machinery offers a wide variety of consumables for plasma cutting tables including nozzles, torches, and shields.

Purchase replacement torches for plasma metal cutters

The most important part of a plasma cutting machine is the torch, which guides the entire cutting process. If you don't have a good torch, your handheld or table plasma cutter will not work. Find a variety of torch replacement products from online suppliers.

I recommend: Cyberweld sells torches and parts from Miller and Hobart, two leading manufacturers of small plasma cutter machines. ToolFetch offers great deals on a variety of plasma torches and other plasma cutting accessories.

Buy the right software for your plasma cutting table

Most plasma cutter tables rely on a computer numerical control (CNC) in order to automate cutting operations. Find CNC software that best fits your business needs so you can achieve sharp and efficient metal cutting.

I recommend: PlasmaCAM offers software specifically designed to create custom ducts, fittings, flanges, and brackets to meet your company's needs. Newfangled Solutions has years of experience creating CNC software that is highly affordable and functional. Their software comes with free regular updates to newer versions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A good place to check for a wide variety of supplies is with a used plasma cutter supplier. A provider of a used plasma cutter for sale will likely stock multiple useful parts from older machinery.

Plasma cutting systems offer state-of-the-art cutting technology and typically are available with useful support systems from plasma cutting machine manufacturers.

Plasma cutting machines are available as both handheld machines and plasma cutting tables. Both plasma cutting tables and handheld plasma metal cutters can utilize computerized software for cutting, and replace other types of cutting technology.

When you start looking for plasma metal cutters, do the following:

1. Download catalogs and brochures for product specifications and ordering information.
2. Get additional product information and updated sale prices online.
3. Check out used plasma cutters and refurbished machines for discount prices.
4. Get support for your product such as video demonstrations, parts and software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download brochures and catalogs for plasma cutting machines

Manufacturers of plasma cutting tables and other plasma metal cutters typically offer complete product information for download from their websites, and you can order from the manufacturer using the catalog or brochure.

I recommend: Check out both downloadable catalogs and downloadable brochures to get complete product information and order from companies such as SteelTailor and Torchmate that don't offer online ordering.

Look online for plasma cutting systems on sale or available for online ordering

Some manufacturers offer online ordering, and also will update sale prices for plasma metal cutters online for the benefit of online shoppers.

I recommend: Get product specifications online for a variety of plasma metal cutters, as well as up-to-date sale prices, at Automotive Service Equipment, or get specifications and order online from multiple brands at one web location.

Shop for refurbished and used plasma cutters to save a buck

Used plasma cutting machines, like many kinds of industrial equipment, are not difficult to come by and can be an economical option for buyers on a budget.

I recommend: If you're looking for an expensive plasma cutting table at a discount price, look for a used plasma cutter for sale. Used machines and refurbished machines are both good ways to cut costs and put a plasma cutting table in your price range.

Get parts and easy downloadable support for plasma cutting systems

Many plasma cutter manufacturers offer excellent customer support with videos and software in addition to replacement parts for their plasma cutting machines.

I recommend: Replacement parts for plasma cutting systems are easy to find, and you can even shop for parts for different brands all in one online location. Don't overlook other handy pieces of support, however, like downloadable demonstration videos and software for your computerized plasma cutting table.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn about the safety hazards and health risks involved with working with plasma cutting machines before you buy a cutter for your business. Be sure to inform employees about possible risks as well as post updated and visible safety information in the workplace.

Plasma cutting machines offer efficient ways to make clean cuts in steel or other metals using a plasma torch. Plasma cutting systems can be either plasma cutting tables or handheld torches. A larger, industrial plasma cutting table will obviously cost more than a manual torch but can offer more reliable and long-lasting output. With this guide, you can compare the pricing and costs of plasma cutting machines from multiple suppliers and manufacturers.

A handheld plasma cutting machine will generally cost a couple thousand dollars, while a plasma cutter table will cost tens of thousands. You can find a variety of machines and pricing information from online suppliers selling products including:

1. Manual plasma cutting torches
2. Large plasma cutting tables
3. Used plasma metal cutters
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare prices on handheld plasma cutting machines

Manual plasma cutting torches will increase in price as the cutting thickness rating increases. Smaller, less industrial machines are more affordable, costing around $1000, while more robust machinery can cost up to $5000.

I recommend: Miller is a leading manufacturer of plasma cutting machinery, and offers a number of models in their line of Spectrum cutters that range from $1200 for mild steel cutting capacity to $5000 for a model that can cut through more than an inch of steel. Hobart manufactures multiple plasma metal cutters for use in maintenance, auto body work, plumbing and more for costs between $1000 and $2500.

Buy plasma cutting tables for heavy duty work

Plasma cutting tables can be useful for automated work, as most rely on computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery to create precise and sharp cuts. Quality plasma cutting tables can cost as little as $10,000 for smaller models but more complex machinery can cost well over $100,000.

I recommend: Retro Systems sells new plasma cutting systems and also offers upgrades to existing machinery. Their Hornet models incorporate CNC technology and start at $45,000. PlasmaRoute CNC manufactures a number of smaller plasma cutting tables that come with cutter software and all start around $10,000.

Save money on a used plasma cutter

You may be taking a risk when buying a used plasma cutting table instead of a new machine, but you'll be saving a bundle of money. Provided you turn to a reliable used plasma cutter refurbishing company, you could save thousands of dollars and acquire equipment that will serve your business well for years. Many manufacturers sell their new products as well as refurbished machinery.

I recommend: North American Cutting Systems keeps a variety of used equipment for sale, ranging from small tables under $10,000 to tables costing multiple tens of thousands. Komatsu America Industries sells a number of used and refurbished plasma cutting tables in a variety of sizes, costing up to $100,000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering the pricing and costs of plasma cutting machines, keep in mind the costs of service and maintenance down the road. If you're deciding between machinery from different manufacturers, be sure to inspect warranties as well as general product specifications.

Most manufacturers use universal plasma cutting machine key terms, which means that you will understand these terms even if you start working with one manufacturer and then change to another. While you won't need to learn every key term used in the industry, you can benefit from the terms that define parts of the machine, explain its functions and describe tools that are used with it.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hand-held machine

Hand-held plasma cutting machines are ones you can use without mounting them to a table. Hand-held machines offer portable plasma cutting, and many rival the power available from plasma cutting tables.

I recommend: Miller Electric provides advice for selecting and operating a hand-held plasma cutter.

Plasma cutting tables

Plasma cutting tables are more than just a plasma cutter mounted to a table. Usually the entire table acts as a plasma cutting system, allowing you precise work for complex cuts. In many cases, plasma cutting tables integrate CNC technology.

I recommend: View a picture of a plasma cutting table for sale at TrackerCNC.com. The company highlights the features on the table.

CNC

Computer Numerical Control, better known as CNC, replaces part of the manual process of manufacturing with a computer-generated one. By using CNC, plasma cutting machines can increase the precision of complex cuts.

I recommend: CNC Concepts provides in-depth information about CNC and offers links to help you understand varying aspects of its role in plasma cutting.

High-frequency start

A plasma cutting machine will either initiate the pilot arc with a high-frequency start or a contact start. With a high-frequency start, the plasma cutter uses a system similar to a spark plug to ignite the arc.

I recommend: Applied Robotics explains the downfall of using a high-frequency start around electronic equipment and provides reasons why you might need to opt for a plasma cutter with a contact start.

Cutting speed

Manufacturers usually provide the cutting speed in the product specifications for a plasma cutting machine. The measurement, expressed in inches per minute (IPM) tells you how quickly the machine can cut a specific thickness.

I recommend: Lincoln Electric offers a detailed explanation of the cutting speed used by manufacturers.

Plasma torch

The plasma torch, or head, is the part of the plasma cutting machine that decides the performance and control of the system. There are different types of heads, each one with different pros and cons.

I recommend: Centricut compares different plasma torch heads and offers detailed pictures of the part.