You can use the best idea for cutting metal sheets like Hyd. or Electrical Cutting Pinsh Machince.

I was looking for a fast production system like a Laser or Plasma and reasons/budgets for each. Which are the most reliable & economical systems to buy/run that provide good results for this type of work?

The slow/manual days are over as China is breathing down our necks - time is money!

Thank you

Hello, I think plasma system would be the most cost effective for cutting thin metal for ducting and such. A good friend of mine owns an industrial/commercial AC buisness and he installed a really nice one for around 35,000.00 about 7 years ago. He trained a couple of his employees to run it. It is basically set up to follow which ever design they load into the computer. I am not sure of the program but from what he told me it is very easy to run. He said he could buy packaged cut programs for tees, ells, transitions etc or make the drawings himself for special pieces. The cut on this machine is very good and it can cut up to 3/8" thickness if needed.

pipewelder

Hello,

Thanks very much for your information and time - this is the answer I was looking for.

Cheers

Glad to help, if you need anymore info. on my buddies plasma system I can make a call and get it for you.

pipewelder

Are you willing to build one yourself?

It is a Homemade wheel cutter. 3 to 5 wheels taken off a small tube cutter, and mounted on a circular ring with adjustment screws one for each wheel. The idea is not to let the weight of the ring to be applied onto the duct, to avoid it's collapse. adjusting the depth as necessary by turning the screws evenly. pretty clumsy but works just fine. Clumsiness is pardoned by the price... couple of bucks.

Wangito.