Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The CNC cutting machine is an immensely useful tool

The CNC cutting machine is an immensely useful tool that is used in several industries which involve usage of heavy machines as well as require precision. Metal-works, shipping, electrical and test equipment industries are the ones which fall under this category.

Uses of a the machine: A good basic CNC cutting device does both plasma and oxy-fuel cutting. Refinements on a basic cutting machine might provide it with the ability to perform other functions like spotting holes in order to facilitate drilling, side or end cutting and routing wooden shapes. Further refinements, could enable it to do water jet-cutting too.

Skilled Operators are a Must: The operators of the present-day device should be as adept as traditional craftsmen. Since the machine is specialized and computerized, only skilled personnel can operate it. The operators of the CNC cutting devices include the men and women who design and make cabinets, woodwork, signs, and a whole range of metal, solid surface and plastic objects. The manufacturers who employ these operators know how important it is to have a good quality CNC cutting machine, since a skilled operator and a high-quality machine together would ensure excellent results.

Requirements of a Good CNC Machine: A good quality machine has a cutting table that covers the area bound by a length of four feet and a width of eight feet, which can handle satisfactorily a standard 4 x 8 plate of metal, wood, plastic, glass or stone.

A table which is not of the sufficient dimensions will hinder the work of the operator since he has to repeatedly reposition the plate. In their jargon, this repositioning is called indexing. Since the operator would spend a considerable amount of time indexing the plate, he would lose out on the time allotted for the actual cutting. This would have a direct impact on the output, which in turn, would translate into fewer products on the shelf.

Thus, a manufacturer has to be a smart buyer in order to avoid the vicious reaction between a bad purchase and poor sales volume. A wise manufacturer would recognize the fact that a good sales volume reflects the well-planned purchase of a CNC cutting machine. The manufacturer also has to look out for proper after-sales service facilities to ensure proper maintenance. Retrofitting the lost/damaged parts of the machine is hazardous for your machine as it reduces the performance of your machine. Not only is it time-consuming to operate the machine, but it also has direct detrimental impact on the quality of work. If your operator is constantly indexing then he has less time to produce goods, thereby decreasing your output. So ensuring the proper maintenance of your machine is instrumental to a great performance.

CNC Cutting Machine Financing: Due to their specialized features, these machines are high-priced. This becomes a major impediment to small-time buyers. However, this problem has a solution in the form of CNC cutting machine financing facilities.

These days, numerous financing companies provide debtor-friendly finance schemes for you to go ahead and buy the equipment you need for your business. These finance schemes ensure hassle-free procurement of such equipment, thereby ensuring the use of good quality products and higher sales volume. Since these machines are digitized now, they guarantee accurate and high-quality work. If you need a machine, you know you can get one right away, thanks to CNC cutting machine financing. So your dream CNC cutting machine is just a scheme away!

Chris Fletcher's page features more about new and used CNC Cutting Machine Financing and other finance topics. Visit him at: http://www.crestcapital.com/Catalog - free instant quote & web calculator!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Mark_Fletcher

CNC cutting machines help in accomplishing various tasks

CNC cutting machines help in accomplishing various tasks carried out by traditional craftsmen. People who use cutting machines usually possess the skills required in designing and manufacturing of various kinds of finished products such as furniture, signposts, frames, and a whole range of metal, plastic and other solid surface objects. Depending on the kind of work to be undertaken, the manufacturers who employ these machines will need a specific size and type of CNC cutting machine.

How to Choose the Right Cutting Machine for your Business?

A quality CNC cutting machine comes with a four feet by eight feet cutting table, enabling it to satisfactorily handle a standard 4 x 8 plate of metal, wood, plastic, glass, or stone. As may be imagined, a machine whose table is lacking in sufficient length or width will make it necessary for the operator to repeatedly reposition his or her material, reducing efficiency considerably. This repositioning is referred to as indexing by the operators of CNC cutting machines.

Choosing the right CNC cutting machine entails a definite understanding of the nature of the cutting to be performed. While some kinds of manufacture will need merely straight cutting, some others require beveling with the attendant requirements of shaving, trimming, paring and reduction. Thus, selection will entail an exact knowledge of the procedure of manufacture.

Other Factors to Keep in Mind when Selecting a CNC Cutting Machine

It is important to remember that any type of cutting will subject the CNC cutting machine to a certain amount of wear and tear. As a manufacturer, you must ensure that your machine comes with adequate customer support and maintenance.

Good customer support can be determined by checking for availability of spare parts for your machine, as absence of spare parts could require that the electronics of the CNC cutting machine undergo a retrofitting. This would deprive the operator of important production time, diminishing the quantity of goods that could be sold to the consumer. Thus, good customer support and maintenance should be one of the two chief concerns of the manufacturer, the other one being the size of the cutting table.

While this doesn't seem as important as availability of spare parts, it is just as significant as a large percent of time spent indexing implies less time for actual cutting. This too results in a diminishing in the quantity of finished goods, eventually affecting the company's bottom line adversely.

Financing your CNC Cutting Machine

It would be a good business strategy to consider a lease for a good quality cutting machine. You could also get your entire expenses financed which would cover your secondary investments, sales tax, freight, installation and other costs. Lease financing will allow you to buy the tools at current prices but your installments are priced at future costs which are definitely going to be higher.

Also you get added upgrades that come with time. Future investments need not be made. You are entitled to tax deductions, if you show your machine costs as operation expenditure. Current values are slashed thus along with tax liabilities. Leasing gives you the chance to remain flexible with your balance sheet.

Chris Fletcher's page features more about new and used CNC Cutting Machine Financing and other finance topics. Visit him at: http://www.crestcapital.com/Catalog - - free instant quote & web calculator!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Mark_Fletcher

CNC Cutting Machine Financing

Several industries, heavy and light, use the CNC cutting machine for various purposes. The most common version of the CNC cutting machine has a table to cut on of and area of four into eight feet. It can be used to cut wood, metal, plastic or even glass.

There are two ways of cutting - the plasma method and the oxyfuel method. A standard machine should normally be able to use both methods. Some machines have additional features which allow you to use even more functions. Read on to find out more about CNC Cutting Machine Financing as well as its functions and uses.

The different functions of this machine include:

o making holes to allow drilling
o drilling metals like aluminum
o cutting wood sideways or endways
o cutting out shapes in wood
o laser or water-jet methods of cutting

Both the plasma and the oxyfuel techniques can allow these variable functions to be added to the machine. There are some things you may have to keep in mind before buying your machine, though.

o A high-quality machine, as already mentioned, should have a four into eight square feet working table. Therefore, you can quite easily accommodate 4 x 8 slabs of metal, boards of wood, plastic, stone, or glass. Unless this length and width is allowed to the worker, he or she will have to continually keep changing the position of the working material which can get very tiresome. This movement and changing is sometimes referred to as "indexing" and workers of this machine are called its "operators".

o You must select your CNC cutting machine based on what and how you'll be doing your cutting. It's best to consult the machine operator here about the nature of the work that the machine will be used in. Whether it is straight or bevel cutting, for example, could use different kinds of CNC cutting machines. It is best to know the details of your work before buying.

o This machine, however useful, is actually quite expensive. This is where the CNC cutting machine financing comes in. If you cannot afford to buy it but really need its uses in the working place then you can hunt for financing. There are different companies that give out financing to allow small businesses to purchase this.

o Don't worry! You won't have to go driving for miles to look for financing. Nowadays, most people do their searching right in their homes, online. You can apply instantly and get immediate estimates and quotations from the companies too. This gives you a lot more time to concentrate on your business and on your own life!

o Another thing to remember is that since CNC machines are heavy-duty, they suffer a lot of deterioration. Make sure the outlet where you buy your machine from offers good after-sale services.

o Without proper after-sales service, your machine could keep losing parts and you'd have to have them retrofitted. Retrofitting is terrible for your machine as it reduces your machine's performance. Not only will it become ore time-consuming to operate the machine, but the quality of the work will reduce too. If your operator is constantly indexing then he has less time to produce goods, thereby decreasing your output. So you see how important it is to ensure proper maintenance?

These machines are the best of the market today, more so because they are digitized now. Accurate and high-quality work is guaranteed. If you need a machine, you know you can get one, thanks to CNC cutting machine financing right away. Get one for your business and watch your profits soar!

Chris Fletcher's page features more about new and used CNC Cutting Machine Financing and other finance topics. Visit him at: http://www.crestcapital.com/Catalog - - free instant quote & web calculator!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Mark_Fletcher

CNC plasma cutting equipment on the market today

In today's economy, many buyers are faced with the choice of buying a new or used piece of equipment to keep up with the steadily increasing demands for their plasma cutting requirements. The attraction of getting "more machine for the money" with a used piece of equipment often overshadows the hidden costs of older machines. Price alone should never be the determining factor when making an investment in long-term capital equipment. Here are some important points to take into consideration if you are looking at a used CNC plasma cutting system:

Check The CNC Control

With a glut of used CNC plasma cutting equipment on the market today, buyers need to educate themselves about the technology on these machines. The first thing a buyer needs to look at is the age of the machine and the CNC control unit on the system. These two factors are important to look at individually because many older machines on the market may have been retrofitted with updated controls. If the system and/or the CNC control is more than 5 years old, there may be problems getting parts and/or service for the control if it fails. The technology in the CNC controls of plasma cutting systems has advanced tremendously in the last three years. If you buy an older system and have to update or replace the control, it is also likely that you will have to upgrade the motors and drives as well. A control upgrade for most intermediate size machines typically will cost between $30,000-$35,000.

If an older machine has been retrofitted with a newer CNC control system, it is important to check the quality of the work. Most manufacturers will be happy to provide you with information such as which control was originally on the machine and whether or not the machine was upgraded by factory authorized technicians. Take the time to make a phone call and avoid a costly situation.

Check The Plasma

You can't save money by buying an old plasma power source! Advances in plasma power sources over the last three years have been significant. An old plasma might be cheaper to buy, but it will cost you significantly more to operate than a new system.

The two most expensive factors in operating a plasma cutting system are the cost of consumables and the cost of the electricity the system uses. Advances in plasma power sources and torch design allows today's plasma systems to cut material faster, with less amperage and current than comparably rated units from the previous generation of plasmas. That translates into significant monthly savings on your electric bill.

The current generation of plasma systems has also eclipsed their predecessors in consumables life. Manufacturers rate their current plasma systems consumable life 5x-10x higher than their previous generation plasmas. Some models are rated at more than 2,000 production pierces, compared to several hundred a few years ago. Manufacturers claim that between the electrical efficiency and extended consumables life, their newest generation of plasmas cost 50% less to operate than older models.

Check The Mechanical Components

It is important to make sure that any used machine has been properly maintained. The most important things to check are the condition of typical wear items such as the rail system, gear rack, drive pinions, and bearings. These are the main components of the drive system that assure the machine moves freely in a linear manner and that the machine can maintain cut quality and accuracy. When neglected, these items can also cause premature motor/drive failure. Plasma cutting systems live in a very harsh environment and proper preventive maintenance is essential. Ask the seller if service logs are available for the machine. Replacing essential drive components can cost upto $10,000 or more.

You will also want to check the condition of the cables, hoses, cable management system, torch lifters, drive motors, and any other moving parts on the machine. These are all items that require periodic maintenance and/or replacement and the costs can add up quickly.

Invest in a Proper Installation

If you check all of these items and determine that the used machine is still a good value, it is highly recommended that you contact the original manufacturer to install the system. The original manufacturer will be most familiar with the system, have access to parts should anything need to be repaired or replaced, and perform an installation that assures your machine will perform to the best of its abilities. The original manufacturer should also be able to provide training for your operators so that they can become proficient with the system and get the most out of it as quickly as possible.

Before You Make Your Final Decision

Don't end up investing more in a used piece of equipment when you can purchase a new machine with the latest technology and a warranty. Manufacturers such as C&G Systems in Libertyville, IL (http://www.cgsystems.com) offer a full line of CNC plasma cutting machines with the latest Hypertherm and Burny CNC controls, and Hypertherm, Kaliburn, and Thermadyne plasma power sources. Their staff of highly experienced engineers, sales, and service technicians will be happy to consult with you regarding your requirements and provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation quotation for a new machine comparable to any used equipment you may be looking at. They can also advise you on the age and availability of parts for older CNC controls and plasma power sources. Avoid a potentially expensive pitfall by calling C&G Systems today at (847) 816-9700 to discuss your particular situation with a helpful member of their staff.

Full product line manufacturers of CNC plasma shape cutting systems, such as C&G Systems in Libertyville, IL (www.cgsystems.com), offer a full line of machines from entry level units all the way up to precision and large format machines. Their full in-house staff of sales/application, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers, will take the time to understand and custom build a solution around your requirements and with products from the leaders in the industry. A large installation base of machines and a nationwide staff and network of service technicians assure that customers receive the training, support, and service they need to get the most out of their plasma cutting investment. Call C&G Systems today at (847) 816-9700, to consult with one of their highly qualified sales representatives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oliver_Osterhues

A good quality CNC cutting machine

A good quality CNC cutting machine has a cutting table that covers the area bounded by a length of four feet and a width of eight feet. A quality table can handle satisfactorily a standard 4 x 8 plate of metal, wood, plastic, glass, or stone. A table that lacks a sufficient length or width will make it necessary for the operator to repeatedly reposition the plate. Operators of the CNC cutting machine refer to such repositioning as indexing.

A good basic CNC cutting machine does both plasma and oxyfuel cutting. Refinements on a basic cutting machine might provide it with the ability to perform other functions, functions such as:

-spotting holes for drilling

-drilling aluminum

-cutting a shape in the sides or end of tubing

-routing wooden shapes

Other modifications on a CNC cutting machine might be directed at installation of the equipment for laser or water jet cutting.

The selection of a CNC cutting machine will be primarily determined by the nature of cutting that will be performed by the machine operator. For some operations, it will be necessary to do only straight cutting. For other operations, the cutting machine must perform bevel cutting. Bevel cutting allows the operator to trim, reduce, shave, and pare the material in the plate.

Both types of cutting will subject the CNC cutting machine to a fair amount of wear and tear. The manufacturer therefore needs to purchase a machine with adequate customer support. Such support should include the availability of spare parts. An absence of spare parts could require that the electronics of the CNC cutting machine undergo a retrofitting.

A need for retrofitting would deprive the operator of important production time. The need for retrofitting would diminish the quantity of goods that could be sold to the consumer. The need for retrofitting leads to a decrease in the amount of time that the operator will be spending at the CNC cutting machine. That is why the availability of spare parts for a malfunctioning CNC cutting machine remains one of the two chief concerns of the manufacturer. A second prime concern is the size of the cutting table.

The operator of a CNC cutting machine that needs to spend a large percent of time indexing will not have much time to spend on the actual cutting. Hence, the manufacturer will have much less product. Fewer products from the manufacturing facility translate into fewer products on the shelf. Consequently, the need for operators to spend time indexing can prove a detriment to the company's bottom line. A good sales volume reflects the well-planned purchase of a CNC cutting machine.

Peter Vermeeren is the owner and webmaster of: Machines and Tools and Airsoft GOT | Tactical Gear | Military Supplies

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Vermeeren