Powermax65 Power Board Failure - fix or trash?

[Alabass]

I have an older Powermax65 that was throwing 0-99 code for a while. I could usually turn it off for a while and it would start working again. It finally quit working so I carried it to an Airgas repair shop that services Hypertherm plasma cutters. I got a call from them that the power board had failed. The total for replacing it is nearly $1200. Will it be worth it to repair or should I put that money toward replacing it and trying to sell the old one for parts?

[adbuch]

Depending on your interest/trouble shooting level - you could try to trouble shoot the circuit board to see if you can find any faulty/defective components. Maybe some bad capacitors, resistors, etc. I think you should be able to find the schematic online for the board. Also, unless you can buy another similar plasma cutter for around $1200, it may very well be worth it to spend the money and have it repaired. I'm guessing a good used powermax 65 would be worth in the neighborhood of $2000 in working condition with torch.
David

[acourtjester]

There is a guy online the repairs Plasma cutters. You may give him a shot for a quote
https://georgesplasmacuttershop.com/

[HypHyDef]

I have an older Powermax65 that was throwing 0-99 code for a while. I could usually turn it off for a while and it would start working again. It finally quit working so I carried it to an Airgas repair shop that services Hypertherm plasma cutters. I got a call from them that the power board had failed. The total for replacing it is nearly $1200. Will it be worth it to repair or should I put that money toward replacing it and trying to sell the old one for parts?

Hi Alabass, i'm so sorry to hear about the bad news about your PMX65. It's always a hard decision to spend that much money for something vs putting that same amount into something newer. it would be very hard to find a more capable plasms cutter for the $1200 that it would take to fix yours, however, I want you to know that we (Hypertherm) offer a trade-in program through our distibutors. The system doens't have to be working and the value is based on what you are buying and not what you are trading in. You could also wait a couple weeks to see if anything new comes out of the Fabtech trade sow that will be happening soon before you make any final decisions.

[weldguy]

I would be inclined to fix it. $1200 to get back up and running isn't too bad, it sucks but a new one would be much more.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

I have an older Powermax65 that was throwing 0-99 code for a while. I could usually turn it off for a while and it would start working again. It finally quit working so I carried it to an Airgas repair shop that services Hypertherm plasma cutters. I got a call from them that the power board had failed. The total for replacing it is nearly $1200. Will it be worth it to repair or should I put that money toward replacing it and trying to sell the old one for parts?

Hi Alabass, i'm so sorry to hear about the bad news about your PMX65. It's always a hard decision to spend that much money for something vs putting that same amount into something newer. it would be very hard to find a more capable plasms cutter for the $1200 that it would take to fix yours, however, I want you to know that we (Hypertherm) offer a trade-in program through our distibutors. The system doens't have to be working and the value is based on what you are buying and not what you are trading in. You could also wait a couple weeks to see if anything new comes out of the Fabtech trade sow that will be happening soon before you make any final decisions.

Subliminal message?

[djreiswig]

Maybe a 65xp?

[HypHyDef]

Not long now until we all find out.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

The cat is out of the bag:

https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/learn/ ... ouncement/

Interesting concept however I seriously doubt Ill be updating any of my 3 machines or 5 torches anytime soon.

[adbuch]

The youtube blurb says "single-piece cartridge consumable". This might be great for someone starting out from scratch, but since I already own and use both the 45xp and 85 and am invested in a large assortment of Duramax consumables - this would definitely be a "non-starter" for me.
David

[HypHyDef]

The cat is out of the bag:

https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/learn/ ... ouncement/

Interesting concept however I seriously doubt Ill be updating any of my 3 machines or 5 torches anytime soon.

SegoMan DeSigns, This new system in no way makes our previous models any less productive. Your systems are going to serve you well for many years. Thanks so much for choosing Hypertherm we absolutely value your business. Take care.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

The cat is out of the bag:

https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/learn/ ... ouncement/

Interesting concept however I seriously doubt Ill be updating any of my 3 machines or 5 torches anytime soon.

SegoMan DeSigns, This new system in no way makes our previous models any less productive. Your systems are going to serve you well for many years. Thanks so much for choosing Hypertherm we absolutely value your business. Take care.

You're not dropping the standard Powermax w/ Duramax torches anytime soon are you? Like adbuch stated you accumulate consumables and develop your system around them. I labeled all of my dividers w/part #'s and what they are for, this makes application & re-order easy.

[HypHyDef]

The cat is out of the bag:

https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/learn/ ... ouncement/

Interesting concept however I seriously doubt Ill be updating any of my 3 machines or 5 torches anytime soon.

SegoMan DeSigns, This new system in no way makes our previous models any less productive. Your systems are going to serve you well for many years. Thanks so much for choosing Hypertherm we absolutely value your business. Take care.

You're not dropping the standard Powermax w/ Duramax torches anytime soon are you? Like adbuch stated you accumulate consumables and develop your system around them. I labeled all of my dividers w/part #'s and what they are for, this makes application & re-order easy.

All current Duramax torches and consumables will continue to be manufactured and sold for the forseable future. Generally speaking we continue to support our systems for 7 years after end of life and many times that continues well beyond that time frame.

[djreiswig]

The youtube blurb says "single-piece cartridge consumable". This might be great for someone starting out from scratch, but since I already own and use both the 45xp and 85 and am invested in a large assortment of Duramax consumables - this would definitely be a "non-starter" for me.
David

Yeah, and I don't usually swap all 5 pieces out at the same time. Basically never. So if the cost of the cartridge is more than a couple of the Duramax pieces, then it's going to be more costly to run.
But for the people who just want to cut without monitoring consumables, this will be a lot more simple.

[adbuch]

I would assume it would cost more, and why replace the entire consumable assembly when only the nozzle and/or electrode are worn. Presumably there are other benefits to the new design besides this feature. Perhaps HypHyDef will step up and give us the complete story.
David

[HypHyDef]

I would assume it would cost more, and why replace the entire consumable assembly when only the nozzle and/or electrode are worn. Presumably there are other benefits to the new design besides this feature. Perhaps HypHyDef will step up and give us the complete story.
David

Typically the nozzle is the most frequently changed consumable in the stack-up (averaging 1.5 nozzle replacements to every electrode change). The determination to change the other parts is customer specific. In the consumable education videos that we posted to Hypertherm.com we explain the role of each consumable, it’s impact on cut quality and performance and indicators on when they should be changed.

With cartridge, the design and the materials used to make a cartridge, the intent was that the components of the single-piece cartridge was meant to wear at a more even rate. For example the cap material on a cartridge is not the same material as that of today’s retaining cap, so the cap portion of the cartridge was meant to wear at the same rate as the other components.

One of the struggles with today’s consumables, is that because they do wear at different rates, it makes it more difficult to know when and which one to change. And by not changing certain parts, such as the swirl ring, it can cause degradation of performance and cutting outcomes. The cartridge eliminates that issue but still provides great performance and cut quality, while minimizing the number of parts needed to cut or gouge

[PlasmaLV]

I would assume it would cost more, and why replace the entire consumable assembly when only the nozzle and/or electrode are worn. Presumably there are other benefits to the new design besides this feature. Perhaps HypHyDef will step up and give us the complete story.
David

Typically the nozzle is the most frequently changed consumable in the stack-up (averaging 1.5 nozzle replacements to every electrode change). The determination to change the other parts is customer specific. In the consumable education videos that we posted to Hypertherm.com we explain the role of each consumable, it’s impact on cut quality and performance and indicators on when they should be changed.

With cartridge, the design and the materials used to make a cartridge, the intent was that the components of the single-piece cartridge was meant to wear at a more even rate. For example the cap material on a cartridge is not the same material as that of today’s retaining cap, so the cap portion of the cartridge was meant to wear at the same rate as the other components.

One of the struggles with today’s consumables, is that because they do wear at different rates, it makes it more difficult to know when and which one to change. And by not changing certain parts, such as the swirl ring, it can cause degradation of performance and cutting outcomes. The cartridge eliminates that issue but still provides great performance and cut quality, while minimizing the number of parts needed to cut or gouge

I suppose that's one way to try and prevent the knock off consumables. Do we have an MSRP on the single piece cartridge consumable?

[adbuch]

I would assume it would cost more, and why replace the entire consumable assembly when only the nozzle and/or electrode are worn. Presumably there are other benefits to the new design besides this feature. Perhaps HypHyDef will step up and give us the complete story.
David

I suppose that's one way to try and prevent the knock off consumables. Do we have an MSRP on the single piece cartridge consumable?

I was trying to find the cost for these new cartridges as well. No information from Hypertherm that I could find. I also wonder if the shield is removable to swap between drag shield and machine cutting shield. My guess is that there will be a run on the original Powermax 65/85/105 machines as news of their discontinuation continues to spread. So I guess if you want one of the originals with the discreet consumables - this would be the time to buy one - while they are still available and supplies last.
David

[weldguy]

Ok I love Hypertherm products but that is a bad idea for the end user unless your a total noob.

Make the consumables wear more evenly? So did you design the nozzle to last longer or design the electrode to last shorter?

If the cost is good then who cares I suppose but after seeing the video I highly doubt this is going to be cost effective.

May be time to switch brands. Another big companys executive decision to drive up profits cloked in an end user "benefit"

Don't get me wrong I think the technology is cool but someones paying for it and its not needed. So whats the cost?

[HypHyDef]

I would assume it would cost more, and why replace the entire consumable assembly when only the nozzle and/or electrode are worn. Presumably there are other benefits to the new design besides this feature. Perhaps HypHyDef will step up and give us the complete story.
David

Typically the nozzle is the most frequently changed consumable in the stack-up (averaging 1.5 nozzle replacements to every electrode change). The determination to change the other parts is customer specific. In the consumable education videos that we posted to Hypertherm.com we explain the role of each consumable, it’s impact on cut quality and performance and indicators on when they should be changed.

With cartridge, the design and the materials used to make a cartridge, the intent was that the components of the single-piece cartridge was meant to wear at a more even rate. For example the cap material on a cartridge is not the same material as that of today’s retaining cap, so the cap portion of the cartridge was meant to wear at the same rate as the other components.

One of the struggles with today’s consumables, is that because they do wear at different rates, it makes it more difficult to know when and which one to change. And by not changing certain parts, such as the swirl ring, it can cause degradation of performance and cutting outcomes. The cartridge eliminates that issue but still provides great performance and cut quality, while minimizing the number of parts needed to cut or gouge

I suppose that's one way to try and prevent the knock off consumables. Do we have an MSRP on the single piece cartridge consumable?

Pricing and availablilty will get published as we get closer to order dates and launch dates. I'm sorry I can't share more with you right now.

[HypHyDef]

Ok I love Hypertherm products but that is a bad idea for the end user unless your a total noob.

Make the consumables wear more evenly? So did you design the nozzle to last longer or design the electrode to last shorter?

If the cost is good then who cares I suppose but after seeing the video I highly doubt this is going to be cost effective.

May be time to switch brands. Another big companys executive decision to drive up profits cloked in an end user "benefit"

Don't get me wrong I think the technology is cool but someones paying for it and its not needed. So whats the cost?

Hi Weldguy,

You ask some very valid questions. Our engineers didn’t just take the five consumable parts, squish everything together, and call it a cartridge. Rather, they started from scratch, considering both the design and the materials used so that the cartridge would wear evenly. Once that was done, they then had to figure out how to manufacture this new cartridge in a way that met our requirements for reliability, robustness, and performance. All told, it took us about a decade to do all this work. In testing and field trial work with real customers, we can tell you that the cartridge really can last up to twice as long when hand cutting and does provide better cut quality when using a machine torch, such as on a CNC table. There are a few reasons for this: one, all the components within the cartridge are perfectly aligned during the manufacturing process; two, the operator is starting with all new components every time, and three, the data capture feature helps you spot problems early. As you know, when using a traditional five-piece stack-up, it is likely that at least one of the five pieces is misaligned since the stack-up is assembled by hand, and that some of the pieces are partially used since the five pieces wear at different rates and are rarely all changed out at the same time. I can also promise you that the idea for this cartridge did not come from one of our executives. It came directly from our customers. As far as the cost, prices are set by our partners, however, our suggested price is roughly $55 for a typical cutting cartridge.

[adbuch]

Thanks for that update! How do the new consumable cartridges accommodate the different shields? Drag shield, mechanized, etc. Are there new shields compatible with this new cartridge design, or will the Duramax shields work with the new cartridges?
David

[HypHyDef]

Thanks for that update! How do the new consumable cartridges accommodate the different shields? Drag shield, mechanized, etc. Are there new shields compatible with this new cartridge design, or will the Duramax shields work with the new cartridges?
David

One of the benefits of the cartridge design is that we can build and optimize each one with the components for that specific process so that customers do not have to deal with a bunch of different parts. A 65 A drag cartridges includes the correct nozzle, shield and swirl ring for that process, while a 105 A drag cartridge has different parts specific to that process.