plasma cutter types

[projectPONY]

Greetings to all,

I was recently researching/shopping for a plasma cutter and discovered that some descriptions state that the machine is a contact type or non-contact type cutter. can anyone decipher this for me? I'm a little confused. also, I found out that some have an internal air supply and some don't. what are your experiences with either and what would you recommend?


TIA

 

[ZRX61]

OOn some the tip is in contact with what you're cutting, on the others it isn't.. or at least it isn't supposed to be

 

[dr_clyde]

It has to do with how the arc is initiated. The non contact types have a high frequency generator that creates the pilot arc. The contact style uses a moving pin inside the electrode to jump the gap.

As for air supply, any plasma cutter worth it's salt will use an external air supply. Plan on using a compressor with a good CFM rating.

What works for you depends highly on you planned use. For general sheet metal fab, just about any style will work fine.

If you plan on setting up a CNC table, you will want a contact type, because the high frequency will screw with the table electronics. also recommend a high amperage unit, such as a Hypertherm powermax 85.

For smaller fab work and around the shop stuff, I recommend the Miller Spectrum series. Just match the model with whatever you are cutting.

Heavy duty cutting crosses into Hypertherm territory. Miller discontinued their heavy duty models in favor of hypertherm.

ThermalArc has mixed reviews. I have never used one. Avoid Lincoln's procut series. Pieces of shite. Lincoln dealer told me, so it must have some validity. No matter what you choose, choose an inverter machine. The small size and the savings in energy are very much worth the extra coin.

 

[tcsalvage]

i'll second the hypertherm, i have a thirty and it outcuts my snap on (century) all day. one of my guys bought a hf unit and it works supprizingly well also. they all use external air supply.