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Fabrication shops have a lot to consider when choosing the tube cutting technology and equipment that will enable them to achieve their productivity and profitability goals. Efficiency, quality, upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and return on investment all matter.
CNC tube plasma cutting machines and tube laser cutting machines both have their strengths. But while tube laser cutting has earned a reputation for precision, speed, and advanced automation, it can be cost-prohibitive for many shops. It’s important to know that tube plasma cutting systems can achieve similar results at a more affordable price point along with other benefits.
So how do these two cutting technologies stack up? Check out the points of comparison below to help you determine if CNC tube plasma cutting can meet your needs as effectively as tube laser cutting, while saving you money and boosting your ROI in the process.
Precision & Edge Quality
While laser cutting yields tight tolerances and clean edges with minimal burrs, CNC tube plasma cutting machines can achieve the same precision with minimal additional processing. Need superior edge quality, structural fabrication tolerances or complex geometries? No problem. With weld-ready parts right off the machine, projects move seamlessly into the next stage while keeping production efficient, budgets on track, and customers satisfied.
At EMI, our multi-axis tube plasma cutting machines enable operators to deliver almost-perfect parts. Capable of cutting, mitering, coping, and burning holes and slots, our machines accomplish the heavy lifting with 100% consistency, leaving only minimal need for secondary processing to deliver the same smooth, refined results laser cutting is known for.
Speed
Is laser cutting faster? The answer is: it depends. For thinner metals, laser cutting has the advantage. But for thicker stock, plasma cutting can typically get the job done more quickly.
At EMI, we engineer our CNC tube plasma cutting machines for maximum efficiency. Our machines can cut thick metals 10 to 20 times faster than manual fabrication, so you can speed up production and get more work done faster. And because our tube plasma cutting machines are less complex, with fewer complicated components than laser cutting systems, they have much higher uptime. That means they won’t let you down with extensive maintenance needs during critical production schedules.
Ideal Applications
Laser cutting systems excel when working with thin sheet metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, and mild steel. For thin to medium tube stock, they deliver efficiency and precise results on parts with complex geometries. Laser cutting can be ideal for applications involving medical equipment, aerospace instruments, custom architectural fixtures, and other projects that require extremely tight tolerances plus fine details and finishing.
EMI plasma cutting machines, on the other hand, can cut substantially thicker materials than most laser cutting systems, making them ideal for fabrication projects involving structural steel and heavy equipment components.
Just a few of the applications suited to tube plasma cutting include columns, beams, braces, industrial pipes, truck chassis rails, outriggers, and support arms for heavy equipment. In addition, EMI machines are great for stair stringers, spindles and railings.
You can buy advanced laser cutting systems that accommodate greater material depth and density, but they come at a much higher price tag than CNC tube plasma cutting systems, which already have that capability built into their design. Plus remember, our machines can handle thin materials too, and, with minimal additional processing, deliver the same level of precision and detail as laser cutting.
Setup & Maintenance
Laser cutting systems are complex, demanding more training to use them effectively. The software for programming them may require specialized skills that not all fabrication shops have in-house. Composed of complicated components, they’re prone to technical issues that may not have immediate, easy fixes. That can lead to downtime that undermines productivity and creates backlogs.
Tube plasma cutting machines, on the other hand, are fabricator-friendly, enabling setup in minutes, saving time from the very start. They’re simpler to operate and maintain compared to laser machines. They’re built to last, and if they do encounter any problems, repairs can oftentimes be made quickly.
In fact, at EMI we have a dedicated factory support team that can log into your machine remotely to troubleshoot issues, and our inventory of quick-ship parts at our plant in Pennsylvania allows us to get what you need as quickly as possible, minimizing machine downtime so you don’t lose production momentum.
Automation Capabilities
Laser cutting integrates well with CNC systems that automate various processes, making it perfect for high-volume, repeatable production.
But CNC tube plasma cutting machines also have automation capabilities to enhance efficiency and ensure consistency.
At EMI, we have equipment that meets fabricators where they are in terms of their needs and comfort level with incorporating automated processes into their work.
Whether you’re new to CNC automation or looking for advanced features like auto-loading, and automated processing, our machines offer the flexibility you need to reduce manual labor, process more material, and streamline production for exceptional outcomes.
Machine Cost
Lastly, and most importantly, CNC tube laser cutting machines are typically much higher cost than tube plasma cutting systems. When you factor in the higher maintenance costs of laser cutting machines and the financial impact of downtime when technical issues occur, it’s not even close.
Our customers have reported that EMI CNC tube plasma cutting machines are far less expensive to purchase and operate than comparable laser cutting machines, making them the better choice for many shops.
They help you turn a quicker ROI, and on average, our CNC tube plasma cutting systems improve material yield by 30% while reducing labor costs by 33%.
Also, consider that EMI tube plasma cutting systems are built right here in the USA. With no overseas supply chains, communications breakdowns, or tariffs or VATS in the equation, we avoid extra costs that will reduce ROI and negatively impact your bottom line.
See Plasma Cut Parts First Hand
Check out the gallery below to see how precision tube plasma cutting delivers clean, accurate results without added complexity or cost. If you’re evaluating how your parts compare and considering an EMI machine, we’d be glad to cut sample parts and demonstrate the quality firsthand.
The Bottom Line
With the right CNC tube plasma cutting system, your fabrication shop can achieve exceptional efficiency and accuracy at far lower cost than a CNC tube laser cutting machine, without sacrificing much in the way of quality.
Contact us to learn more about how for the right materials and applications, a high-quality CNC tube plasma cutting system can amplify your shop’s output and profitability. We look forward to hearing from you!
