We often have a lot of customers who are considering whether making the leap to purchasing an Ajan Plasma is worthwhile. Whether it is their first plasma, or maybe replacing an older machine. The Ajan is a powerful piece of equipment, but as a considered purchase, you need to be sure it’s right for you. Understandably, we therefore hear a lot of the same questions from our customers.
What is the Ajan Plasma Cutter?
The Ajan High Definition CNC metal cutting plasma offers high quality profile cutting for a range of materials, delivering both excellent edge quality and a virtually dross free finish, while maintaining high production feed rates. The machines are constructed to a heavy industrial standard and, by manufacturing the machine totally in house including all of the electronic components, Ajan ensure that they can offer the required support to the machine for the duration of its working life.
All models come complete with Ajan CAD/CAM software including comprehensive features and free software upgrades. Options include the advanced bevel cutting plasma head, oxy cutting torches and a heavy industrial extraction / filtration system, developed specifically for these models; alternatively they can be connected to a new or existing factory ducted system.
How does this machine counteract any form of heat distortion or vibration?
Plasma cutters by their nature generate a large volume of heat. The gantry rails of the Ajan are completely separated from the cutting bed. This means that any heat generated from the plasma cutter will not cause any heat distortion to the gantry rails.
With a capacity of up to 200mm thick material, therefore the loading and unloading of such thick, heavy material could cause a lot of vibrations through the cutting bed. Again, due to the separated gantry rails, these vibrations will not affect the servo drive motors, or the overall alignment of the machine.
The machine also has extra wide rail runners for increased accuracy and stability. This helps to eliminate any potential issue of crabbing when the cutting head is moving. Each axis has its own independent servo drive motors for increased accuracy.
The Ajan’s heavy duty cutting bed comes with zoned extraction too. The slats across the cutting bed are supported in three places for added durability.
What is the cutting capacity of the Ajan Plasma?
The Ajan Plasma has two power sources to choose from, 130 amp or 260 amp. The 130 amp, which has a cutting capacity of 25mm. The 260 amp power supply is capable of cutting up to 65mm material.
For thicker materials (up to 200mm thick), there is an optional, interchangeable Oxy Fuel torch head. This interchangeable head sits in the same position as the standard plasma torch. This means there is no loss of capacity along the Y axis when cutting.
What are the power and running requirements of the Ajan Plasma?
The power requirements are 100 amps per phase, and should run from a 125 amp breaker.
The gas requirements are as follows: Oxygen (O2) and Air for standard cutting. Nitrogen as a pre-flow gas. If you’re intending to cut any Aluminium, or Stainless Steel, you would also need H35 (Hydrogen / Argon mix). If you’re using the optional Oxy Fuel head, this also utilises Oxygen and Propane to run.
Lastly a 10 bar screw compressor will be needed for cutting and to run the extraction and filtration system. This compressor must be fitted with a drier. This will greatly improve cut quality, and also extend the life of your Ajan consumables.
What is the service and backup like from Ajan?
Service is one of the main reasons that we (Selmach) partnered with Ajan. 95% of the machine is made in house, giving complete control over the manufacturing process.
To complement this, we offer a 24 hour breakdown support line. Firstly, our in house technicians will try and diagnose and support over the phone. However, if an engineer is required on site, we aim to arrange a visit within 24 hours.
What is the life expectancy and cost of the consumables?
Life expectancy of the consumables is very hard to predict. There are so many factors and variables that can effect the life span of consumables. On average we say 500 – 750 pierces per consumable.
One of the great features of the Ajan Plasma, is that all of the consumable components are entirely separate. If one part blows or burns out, you don’t need to replace the entire set.
Can I produce any form of drawing or nesting on the machine?
The software provided on this machine has a simple shape library where you can quickly nest one-off parts. This is also where you can select optimise hole to run on your nest. This is where the machine will slow down to give you the best hole quality.
The Ajan Plasma is one of the most heavy duty, yet versatile plasma machines on the planet. Giving you the ability to cut very thin through to very thick, sheet metal.
If you’d like to find out more information about the features of the Ajan Plasma, you can watch either the overview video below. There is also another video that goes into more detail on the nesting software, and it’s capabilities. You can also take a look at the full technical specifications here on the product page.
To get a quote for an Ajan High Definition CNC Plasma Cutter system, please contact sales@selmach.com or ring 01432 346 580
Published 2nd June 2021