Plasma-Punch Combination Machines
vs. Standalone Plasma

Sometimes a difference of 75% or more of the value-added content
Overall operating costs are significantly lower.
- Plasma consumable life is greatly affected by the number of starts and stops. By punching internal features, consumable life is greatly improved.
Automated small part removal feature gets parts out of skeletons as they are cut.
Available optional material handling features on plasma-punch machines (plate loading/ skeleton removal) create much higher utilization rates than standalone plasma cutting tables.

Better drive system with high acceleration results in more accurate parts with better corner definition.
Smoother drives provide dross-free cutting.

Punching yields higher quality holes–plasma cut features cannot be used in some applications.
No blemishes at the lead-in / lead-out in punched features
Able to punch diameters less than material thickness; plasma is normally limited to 1.5 x material thickness.

Punching technology allows formed features to be produced, avoiding secondary operations.
- Countersinks
- Dimples
- Tread
- Louvers
Optional attachments such as drilling and tapping produce even more features.
- Small holes less than 50% of material thickness
- Tapped holes

Small plasma cut features in stainless steel and aluminum have marginal accuracy and definition due to lag of plasma stream and excessive blemishes from lead-ins. Punched holes provide accurate holes with no blemishes.