[will_eng]

I am building a 5 x 10 table for both oxy and plasma. I will be using MACH3 an a stepper drive. I plan not to use a water table right away but might have to with plasma some day. I am getting a Hypertherm PM65 for the plasma and will be running an Oxy LP setup for flame.

What is your opinion on CAM software’s and THC systems. I know they are somewhat unrelated but they are things I would like opinions on. I would like to keep things fairly inexpensive if possible.

I need a software that would be good for preheat heights/ times and some nesting capabilities. Any recommendations?

The THC would be nice to use on both systems as the CNC4PC can be. Give me some idea on cut quality for lower end THCs of oxy and plasma?

Thanks

[Torchhead]

I recommend you do more research. The combination of the CAM is very important for THC operation with MACH since the THC logic is built in and most of the moves for plasma cutting are from G-code, not the THC. The THC you refer to is a capacitance sensor and is better suited for the lower speeds of oxy-fuel. One consideration is that with oxy-fuel you don't really need an automatic torch height....just a manual way to adjust the Z with the oxy-fuel.while it is cutting (which you can do with MACH and a couple of buttons). Skip over to the oxy-fuel thread in this sub-forum and bounce things off guys that do it every day

SheetCAM is a low cost and easy way to do both plasma, oxy fuel (and even 2.5D routing) . It has a built in pre-heat and you can set it up to fire the oxy valve to start the cut. It also does plasma and there are custom posts to work with Arc voltage THC systems. There is no automatic nesting in the base system but to get it done right (where you don't need to spend lots of time cleaning it up) you will speed more than you will for the THC solution! Manual nesting in SheetCAM is easy and free.

Whatever you buy make sure they can tell you how to hook it up and use it otherwise any money you save initially will be burned up in frustration. You can get acceptable arc voltage THC's for MACH from $250 to 575.00. If you want a direct (plug....twist...done) interface to your 65 then you will have to shop in the more conventional Arc volts THC market.