Software options for plasma tables.

[Metriccar]

I have a plasmacam. The software is great.

However I’m looking for something a little sturdier and a water table option.

Are there any other tables out there with comparable software? Something that allows you to draw, create cut paths, nest, and run the machine on the same program? I tried mach3 and can’t stand it.

[Railmen]

Flashcut.................. awesome. Nuff Said.

[brucer]

I helped a guy on an Arclight table and it worked pretty straight forward..

It uses commandcnc for control, qcad and inkscape for drawing and Sheetcam for posting code, decent table design.. It looked like it would be easy to work on..
The only thing I didnt like is the rails werent covered, and the y axis the rails laid flat..

[motoguy]

Flashcut is the best all-in-one I can think of. It's OEM'd under many different names, so you may see it called several things.

[gamble]

Flashcut

[brucer]

Flashcut.................. awesome. Nuff Said.

How much does the Flashcut cost.. I hate when companies dont post pricing on their products, that usually means it's too expensive for a peasant..

[gamble]

Flashcut.................. awesome. Nuff Said.

How much does the Flashcut cost.. I hate when companies dont post pricing on their products, that usually means it's too expensive for a peasant..

It’s because they have OEM distributors and don’t want to compete with their own distributors.
Cheap stuff isn’t awesome
Awesome stuff isn’t cheap
I say shoot them an email.it all depends on your current setup. If you have a control box that will work then you are a step ahead. If you have z lifter and motor you are another step ahead.

[tcaudle]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the Flashcut control software has to mate up to their USB interface box.

[Desertdog]

Here are a couple of photos of my new controller and one of my old Candcnc. One looks like they put some time into the design, fit and finish, high quality connectors and cabling while the other looks like well, you get the idea.

[Jmetal]

I've used commandcnc and flashcut. Flashcut is the way to go.

[jimcolt]

Plasma cutting on a cnc machine requires 3 different software packages, here is a brief description of each with its functions:

1. CAD Computer aided Design. This is what you use to draw the parts you need to cut. It produces a file that (in this segment of the CNC industry) is called a .dxf, essentially a computer generated drawing of the item to cut with digital dimensions. Not ready to cut.

2. CAM, Computer aided Manufacturing. This software imports the CAD drawing (most often a .dxf file) and modifies it with lead ins (to start the cut), lead outs (to end the cut), Kerf width adjustment and cut direction (to ensure parts are of best quality and are of the correct dimensions) as well as generating code that controls on and off timing of the plasma, the height control as well as dozens of other functions that control the direction, speed and location of the torch. More sophisticated CAM can also control the plasma settings such as Amperage, Arc Voltage (height control feedback), gas flow, etc. CAM can also do nesting of multiple parts to fill a whole sheet efficiently (in seconds....much faster than manual nesting). More sophisticated CAM can interface with a factories inventory system (saving remnants in inventory and much more), can control advanced plasma functions on more sophisticated plasma cutters) and can calculate your cutting cost per part. And much more. Cam software can be freeware, it can be $100, and the more sophisticated packages can cost $30,000 or more (think the shop floor software in a John Deere plant or a shipyard). The completed CAM file is generally known as "ready to cut".

3. Machine control software. This is the software that reads the computer code generated by the CAM and converts it into electrical signals that control everything on the machine. Think Mach 3 in lower cost machines. Linux control and Win CNC as a few. Some machine builder have their own machine control software...such as Plasmacam and Flashcut and many others.

The above 3 softwares are configured a bit differently depending on the machine design and equipment. I call the two main configurations conventional and integrated packages.

Conventional systems sell these three software packages installed on their cnc machines as separate software. You draw the part in CAD, export the file into CAM, the CAM may require some operator settings and commands, then you export the CAM file into the machine software. Works well, but generally a little more time consuming to use, and to get through the learning curve. Generally the operator needs to have better computer savvy than with integrated software systems....from my view anyway!

Integrated systems (like PlasmaCam and Flashcut) still have the 3 softwares, but seamlessly shift the CAD to CAM and the CAM to the machine control software. Some refer to these as "proprietary" software, meaning they only work well as a package. These softwares are generally accepted as easy to learn (short learning curve) and easy to use.

Jim Colt

[acourtjester]

The above statement by Jim should be flagged so it is easy to find for new members or people new to the CNC field. There have be similar posts in the past, but these are framed "I like my software better then yours". Showing the function of the different packages could help to make a decision as to your selections.

[ERS IND]

Great post Jim, thank you for the clarification!

[mccorb]

Thank you JimColt for your description of the CAD/CAM/Control software stack for running a plasma cutter. I am a retired software engineer, now more of a wannabe metal arts guy, that decided to build my own hobby CNC table but has never done machine control software before. The parts have been shipped for the CNC table, at least the ones I think I need so far. This is the description I have been looking for since starting on this a few weeks ago. Now that I know I can use any old CAD program that exports a DXF file I can concentrate on the CAM application functionality. I'm going to be using an Arduino Nano processor for the machine control portion so I guess I either need a CAM program that can spit out Arduino C++ code or more likely a program on the Arduino that interprets GCmy probleode and the CAM program then spits out standard GCode to do the work. I am guessing GCode is a quasi standard? Anyway my problem now seems to be about half the size it was before I read your post. Thanks!

[djreiswig]

Check out SheetCam. Customizable post processors can be made to output just about any gcode.

[acourtjester]

Not sure the Nano will do the job for plasma cutting, depending on your table and the number of input needed. You will need on for metal contact (either a floating head switch or Ohmic sensor or both) to locate the torches position to start the cutting operation. One for Arc ok to insure the troch is fired and working. Others for Home/limit switches if you use them. An output for torch trigger to fire the torch for cutting. And other inputs if you want to run a THC. This is operated through the CAM software with the selection of the Post Processor software, which vary with the electronics (the Nano or other cards).
You may want to look at the GRBL software packages like MPCNC groups as I think they use Arduino cards.

[Joe Jones]

I have a plasmacam. The software is great.

However I’m looking for something a little sturdier and a water table option.

Are there any other tables out there with comparable software? Something that allows you to draw, create cut paths, nest, and run the machine on the same program? I tried mach3 and can’t stand it.

There is nothing else like PlasmaCam and DesignEdge software. Yes, you can create designs using a combination of other software programs, but DesignEdge is an all-in-one package that takes a napkin sketch to a finished product without the need for any other software.

Joe

[Thunderbolt427]

Why isn't there much out there for software packages that do it all from start to finish for most plasma tables. I haven't seen Plasmacam or Flashcut yet but it seems like most plasma tables should have this as a standard feature. Eliminate all the b.s. features in the software that are not needed. If you want fusion 360 and have time to figure out the software over the next year that's fine too.

[Joe Jones]

Why isn't there much out there for software packages that do it all from start to finish for most plasma tables. I haven't seen Plasmacam or Flashcut yet but it seems like most plasma tables should have this as a standard feature. Eliminate all the b.s. features in the software that are not needed. If you want fusion 360 and have time to figure out the software over the next year that's fine too.

DesignEdge software is proprietary software that runs the PlasmaCam tables. It does it all. Design, and machine operation, etc.

That is the "Edge" that DesignEdge has over other programs. I am spoiled, because my first table was a Samson 510 (PlasmaCam's 'Big Brother') and I learned the software well. so I feel for the people who have to use two or three different software packages to get a part cut. I can take a napkin sketch to a finished product in minutes using DesignEdge.

Joe

[DieselFumes]

Why isn't there much out there for software packages that do it all from start to finish for most plasma tables. I haven't seen Plasmacam or Flashcut yet but it seems like most plasma tables should have this as a standard feature. Eliminate all the b.s. features in the software that are not needed. If you want fusion 360 and have time to figure out the software over the next year that's fine too.

Fusion will do everything you need, it's pretty much all in one. The learning curve on any of these is pretty big to become proficient so I would be inclined to pick one and stick with it. I would highly recommend Fusion if you are looking for a solid CAD/CAM solution, the only time I would suggest looking at something else would be if you were doing mainly artistic stuff. Fusion is pretty clunky for that, it's more for mechanical design.

[bLouChipBlacksmith]

There is a lot of good input and suggestions here.
My three goto programs are:
* 2D CAD- Lightburn. Easy to learn and quick to use, excellent for artsy/crafty jobs, but not so for engineering jobs where constraints and parametric dimensions are handy.
* CAM- Sheetcam with a custom post script.
* Machine Control- Universal GCode Sender (UGS), because I have a grbl v1.1i XYZA controller.
My cycle time from "napkin design" to table cutting is as little as 10 minutes, most of that being a check list of "readiness to fire". That's for a simple text sign, or a graphic traced from a high quality image (graphic designed for a 1.2mm kerf that is). Cycle time is 1-2 minutes for iterations of the design.

For jobs benefiting from parametric dimensions and constraints I use Fusion360 for CAD. I keep it simple, mostly 2D sketching in the SheetMetal model, which provides for 3D flange modeling and then "flattening" and K factor allowances. I struggled with Fusion360 trying to do too much in 3D models. The SheetMetal model however is excellent and easy to learn. I sill export to DXF and use Sheetcam for toolpath.