Plasma Cutting
CNC gantry plasma for plate work — supplied & supported by A1.
Plasma is still the honest answer for thick plate: lower purchase price than laser, and better value once material gets past the 20–30 mm crossover where fibre lasers stop being economical. A1 supplies CNC gantry plasma cutting machines, and installs and services them across SE Queensland.
Many shops run plasma beside a laser — plasma for heavy blanks and structural plate, laser for the precision work. If you're weighing one against the other, call and describe the material mix; the right answer falls out of your thickness range and tolerances, not the brochure.
Common questions
Plasma or laser — which is better?
Neither, without knowing your material. Plasma buys and runs cheaper and wins on thick plate; laser wins on precision, edge quality and speed on thin-to-mid sheet. Past roughly 20–30 mm — or where tolerances loosen up — plasma's economics take over.
How accurate is CNC plasma cutting?
Typically within ±0.5–1 mm, with a slight edge bevel and some dross — good enough for structural and general plate work, not for parts that need laser-class edges. High-definition plasma tightens that, at a price.
What are the running costs?
Consumables are the ongoing cost lasers don't have — electrodes, nozzles and shields wear with use. Against that, the machine itself costs far less up front. On thick plate the per-part economics still favour plasma clearly.
Already running one? A1 services what it sells — machinery service, repair & diagnostics.
Looking for a machine, or need one serviced?
Used and new machines with prices and specifications. Service, repair and breakdown support across SE Queensland, fly-in interstate and remote.