Best Plasma Cutter for CNC: HeroCut 55i CNC Plasma Cutter
After hooking up and detaching a dozen plasma cutters underneath our test CNC table, the one model that left us in utter awe was the HeroCut 55i CNC Plasma Cutter.
Not only does it come with the right torch type for CNC compatibility, but it also delivers a knock-out punch through thick sheets of steel.
Here’s what the 55i’s key specifications look like—
- 15-55A Current Range
- 120V/240V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 55A
- No HF Interference
The 55i comes with all of the appropriate hardware and cable sizes to place below a CNC table. The lengths of the non-HF pilot arc torch hose and grand cable are about 16.4 and 10 feet, respectively.
This allows the y-axis drive system to move freely along the surface of the cutting bed without excessive tugging.
As a plasma cutter, the 55i covers all the bases. It delivers up to 55A power output to cut cleanly through 7/8-inch steel sheets.
A built-in cooling system keeps the entire machine thoroughly cooled to reach a duty cycle of 60% at max power.
Pros
- Minimal to no computer interference
- Long ground and torch cables
- 2T/4T
- Pre-installed air regulator
Cons
- Could be easier to set up
Everything about the 55i makes it perfect for both CNC tables and manually hand-operated cuts.
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Getting a CNC table is the natural next step to upgrading your metalworking game. However, your CNC table is just a tremendous paperweight if you don’t equip it with the right plasma cutter.
In this guide, we’ll show you what we think is the best plasma cutter for CNC.
We’ve put 12 different CNC-compatible plasma cutters through the research test, so we’re confident you’ll find value in our picks.
Top Plasma Cutters for CNC Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top Plasma Cutters for CNC:
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Plasma Cutter for CNC – HeroCut 55i CNC Plasma Cutter |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Premium - Hypertherm Powermax 65 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Budget - HeroCut HC7000 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | PrimeWeld CUT60 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Lotos LTP5500D 55AMP CNC |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of the Top Plasma Cutters for CNC
Now, let’s take a look at other noteworthy CNC-enabled plasma cutters.
Best Premium - Hypertherm Powermax 65
Key Specifications
- 20-65A Current Range
- 200V/600V Input Voltage
- 50% Duty Cycle @ 65A
- Coaxial-Assist Jet
The Hypertherm Powermax 65 is an excellent, heavy-duty plasma cutter that works in all sorts of environments and applications.
It has an ultra-wide current range of between 20 and 65A that cuts cleanly through 1-inch sheets of all metal types.
The kicker is that in order to achieve a perfect 50% duty cycle at max power, you need to plug this machine into a 600V outlet, which most people don’t have at home.
However, this makes it the perfect fit for commercial metal-cutting jobs. You can still achieve the max power output from a 200V outlet but at the cost of lengthier downtimes.
Learn how to set the Powermax 65 up by watching this video:
Pros
- Perfectly suited for most brand name CNC tables
- Flexible cutting capacity
- Decent duty cycle
- Zero-slag performance
Cons
- Needs dedicated 480V for max productivity
We’d recommend this model to those who regularly work with 1-inch steel slabs. Otherwise, you should get by with a lower amp rating with similar results.
Best Budget - HeroCut HC7000
Key Specifications
- 20-70A Current Range
- 220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle
- Non-HF Pilot Arc
As you might expect by now, the HeroCut HC7000 is a CNC-enabled plasma cutter that comes with a non-HF pilot arc. This means it can start the arc on-demand without striking the nozzle tip.
Of every plasma cutter on our list, the inexpensive plasma cutter HC7000 provides the widest cutting flexibility by producing between 20 and 70A of power output.
Basically, it can cut through a fraction over 1 inch of mild steel without severance. Best of all, it does this from a 220V with an efficient 60% duty cycle.
Pros
- Usable in residential and commercial settings
- Powerful, slag-free cutting performance
- Long cables and cords
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Could be more economical in consumable usage
The flexibility of the HC7000 lets you keep using this machine as you take on more demanding metal-cutting projects.
PrimeWeld CUT60
Key specifications
- 20-60A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle
- Blowback Start Technology
Another high-quality, CNC-enabled plasma cutter that deserves love is the PrimeWeld CUT60. It offers a flexible range of cutting power, up to 60A, to slice through 7/8-inch pieces of steel, copper, and aluminum with ease.
The CUT60 is a dual-voltage plasma cutter that can come in handy in your garage workshop and in commercial metalworking shops.
It only requires a 220V outlet to achieve peak cutting performance, and its 60% duty cycle means higher productivity with fewer breaks between cuts.
The blowback torch creates the arc inside of the nozzle without requiring contact with your workpiece. This helps create cleaner cuts as well as gouges in the middle of the sheet.
Pros
- Great for homes and businesses
- Clean cuts every time
- Easy to move when needed
- User-friendly
Cons
- Plastic parts could be more durable
With extra care, you can get several years of high-quality CNC cutting performance from the CUT60.
Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP
Key Specifications
- 20-45A Current Range
- 240V Input Voltage
- 50% Duty Cycle
- FastConnect Torch
Hypertherm makes another appearance on our list, this time with the Powermax 45 XP. It offers the least flexibility in terms of current range, but it works well at both light- and heavy-duty cutting up to 7/8 of an inch.
It’s a single-voltage machine, meaning that your workshop needs a dedicated 240V outlet to run the Powermax 45 XP. It’s also fairly quiet and consumes very little power, allowing you to cut more per dollar spent on electricity bills.
The FastConnect Torch slides easily into place. Since setting up a plasma cutter to your CNC table can be a tad bit confusing, we were happy that this torch is easy to equip and use.
Here’s a brief overview video of the Powermax 45 XP:
Pros
- Excellent tool for home and commercial workshops
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Long cables
- Slag-free cuts through thick workpieces
Cons
- Setup could be quicker
You can Hypertherm-quality performance from the Powermax 45 XP, even at lower amp settings.
Lotos LTP5500D 55AMP CNC
Key Specifications
- 20-55A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle
- CNC-Friendly Pilot Arc
Our first impression of the Lotus LTP5500D 55AMP CNC was how bare it looked. Overall, it’s a simple machine by CNC-enabled plasma cutter standards. It has a max current rating of 55A that cuts up to 7/8-inch of steel in a single pass.
It’s a dual-voltage machine that works at lower amp settings from a standard 110V outlet.
This is undoubtedly a nice addition if you don’t have a dedicated 220V outlet in your garage, though we highly recommend getting one installed to harness this machine’s peak power.
The shining feature, which isn’t so shiny, is the CNC-compatible pilot arc. It starts the arc without making contact with your workpiece and works well at both cutting and gouging.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Extremely portable
- Long cables
- Pre-installed filters and compressor plug
Cons
- Not a lot of frills
Though a simple unit in looks and design, the LTP5500D 55AMP CNC definitely gets the job done without a hitch.
FAQs
Below, you’ll find out answers to some of the most FAQs about plasma cutters for CNC.
The most commonly used metal types for CNC plasma cutters are copper, steel, brass, and aluminum. However, you can go up and beyond by placing any conductive material under the torch, which includes silver, gold, bronze, and nickel. Go nuts (within reason)!
That’s entirely up to you, though we’d highly recommend it if you plan on upping your metalworking game by a lot. A CNC table lets you produce intricate designs with pinpoint accuracy, whereas operating a plasma cutter by hand requires more than just a steady hand and keen eye.
We’re sorry to say that you’ll have to do your own research to find out. You need to consider numerous factors, including how long of a hose, ground clamp, and extension cord you need for the plasma cutter to move freely with the y-axis drive system. Definitely spend some time studying the ins and outs of your CNC table before settling on a specific plasma cutter.
Summary
And with that, we have completed our guide on the best plasma cutter for CNC. We hope you gained something from the information we provided to you through painstaking tests of a dozen different CNC-friendly plasma cutters. We’re available to address all questions you have in the comments section.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
