A new Plasma Table

CrossFire ® XR
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Hello all. I have a dedicated shop at my house and I build high end hotrods in my retirement. With that, I’m in the market for a plasma table/system. This post is NOT to stir the pot or incite an argument. Please know that I truly need some help.

I’ll preface this by saying that I’m here because I’ve heard soooo much about this community. Thanks I’m advance.

I was all set on a Pro. And while I was researching, I came across a competitor. Regardless of which table, I was going to get a new plasma machine. I’ve now decided to at least try my Everlast 60s. If it doesn’t go well, I’ll upgrade. Now then, the other system is by SVT and is also modular. Very competitive with the XR. By not going with a new plasma machine, I can bump up to a 4x8 table.

My questions….

  1. It looks as if the SVT has a rack and pinion X and Y system. The Z is a lead screw. Langmuir seems to use lead screws on all axis - am I correct?
    *** is there an advantage to either?

  2. The XR looks like a fine machine, but watching vids, the Z axis torch holder seems to flex (on the pro). Has this changed on the XR?

  3. The XR comes with a touch screen monitor/computer…. Which is awesome! Is that all I’ll need or do I need another laptop as well?

  4. With the Pro, I’d have to purchase limit switches…. Is that the same with the XR?

Bonus Question: does the XR have built in homing? Or is that another upgrade?

Thanks guys…. I would really appreciate your guidance.

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Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search.

I have the Pro and it fits my needs as a hobbyist and the value of having this forum is incredible. No plasma table will simply work perfect like a typewriter right out of the box: so many variables. Having this forum support is very reassuring when you get into a bind.

That modular design is very cool. I would imagine it has a substantial additional cost to move from the 5x5 table to the 5x10 table with SVT.

As far as questions 1 & 2, I don’t have an answer for you.

Here is what is included with the XR:
CrossFire XR includes: LS-THC ATHC Module, Integrated Water Table, Limit Switches for Homing, MC4000 Mini-PC Machine Controller, 21.5" HD Touchscreen, XR Touchscreen Mount, Wireless Control Pendant, Industrial Leveling feet.

You would not need a separate computer to run the table but would need a separate computer for designing.

The XR table comes with limit switches, auto-homing and auto-squaring.

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Yes lead screws on all three, I would think Rack and Pinion would be better and more accurate.
With said I feel the XR cuts very accurately!

No flexing that I have ever seen

That is all you need to run the table only. CAD/CAM software will need another computer

XR comes with limits

Built in homing

Bonus answer: I feel the XR is a fine table and will do a good job for what you want it for. I also know nothing about the SVT

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Thanks for the responses. Doing a deep dive in Rack and Pinion vs Lead Screw yields nothing but a round-and-round debate. My conclusion is you go with one and forget about it. Each have their merits and perceived short comings.
As far as the computer stuff goes…. I wasn’t worried about being able to create in a laptop or computer, more so I didn’t know if the Langmuir included touch screen was DEDICATED TO FIRE CONTROL.

I guess the best set up my be to have a computer with two screens so that there is enough screen area to have both programs open at once. If anybody has experience with that, please chime in.

Thanks for your responses!

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Welcome. It sounds like a fun tool is in your future! The Crossfire touchscreen and PC is a Windows machine so it can run other software. You’re most likely going to want a different machine to run your CAD software… especially if you’re using Fusion 360 as it’s memory intensive.