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As every tradesperson knows, understanding the total cost of ownership of new equipment is a crucial step before committing to the purchase. If you're in the market for a portable plasma cutting system, it’s important to consider more factors than just the initial expense. The sticker price of a plasma cutter is merely the starting point- and opting for the cheapest option might just lead to higher costs over time.
Conducting a Total Cost of Ownership, or TCO analysis might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think for plasma cutters. Since it can be easy to overlook certain aspects that could unexpectedly impact your budget, we’re here to breakdown the key factors of consideration. Strategically planning for these potentially overlooked expenses will maximize cost-effectiveness and help you achieve a quick return on investment! After doing these calculations ourselves, we find that the best long-term return on investment is Hypertherm’s Powermax line- read on to find out why we chose the Powermax and how you can figure out what works best for you! 
The unfortunate truth is, opting for a portable plasma system that doesn't fully meet the requirements of the job, just to save on initial costs, can lead to increased production expenses that accumulate faster than you'd think!
In choosing a plasma cutter, it's critical to weigh the expected return on investment against the potential revenue generated by the system's productivity. Imagine a scenario where a single, well-chosen, high-performance plasma system performs the tasks of two or three inferior systems over its lifespan, or eliminates rework of parts due to dross/slag. The savings from such efficiency can be seen quickly, especially when it comes to consumables. The durability and consistency of cut quality over the lifespan of consumables play a significant role in both productivity and operational costs. Hypertherm's Powermax systems are known for their extended consumable life, coupled with consistent cut quality- keeping your operational costs down. 
While cutting initial costs by choosing a lesser known supplier might seem like a good way to save, sometimes this means you’re stuck with poor quality support and service. Downtime for repairs or maintenance can directly impact your bottom line if parts are not readily available for repair, sometimes even making it impossible to get your machine back into working service. Since avoiding mechanical issues altogether is nearly impossible in this industry, opting for a plasma system that is both reliable and backed by a respected dealer can significantly affect your operational efficiency.
Hypertherm stands out with its global network of skilled partners- Earlbeck being one of them This network offers service and support centers across the US, designed to minimize downtime and ensure your plasma system is back in action as quickly as possible. This level of service is something you're unlikely to find when purchasing a budget plasma cutter from large retail chains or online marketplaces. 
To gauge the operating costs effectively when comparing different plasma systems, let’s focus mainly on two things: the cost per operational hour and the cutting capacity per hour. This calculation requires knowledge of a few key factors:
1) the lifespan of consumables or cartridges as provided by the manufacturer 2) the price of these consumables or cartridges 3) the system's duty cycle 4) the cutting capacity within an hour All of these must take into account both the duty cycle and the cutting speed for the specific thickness of metal being addressed. Armed with this data, it becomes possible to accurately estimate the cost per meter or foot of cutting by also considering the operator's labor cost. 
Hypertherm has played a pivotal role in the plasma cutting industry’s evolution over the last 50 years, holding over 100 patents in plasma technology! Their innovation is driven by a commitment to developing customer-focused solutions that not only enhance the longevity of torch consumables and cartridges to lower overall operational costs but also deliver unparalleled electrical efficiency for more cost-effective operations.
Their dedication to precision and efficiency is evident in the creation of application-specific torches and consumables, ensuring the right tool is used for the right job. Advancements in tech have led to significant gains in productivity, operating speeds, ease of use, and cut quality. Plus their products have the ability to integrate smoothly into automated or robotic cutting systems. Designed, manufactured, and tested for high reliability, these plasma cutting solutions ensure that you’ll spend more time working and less money replacing parts and consumables. 
Another part of the total cost of ownership is choosing a configuration that not only meets your current needs but also anticipates future demands.
First you’ll need a clear understanding of the intended applications. Depending on what you need now and will need later, you’ll want to look for something capable of handling a diverse array of tasks. The Powermax plasma systems are known for their versatility- they’re capable of cutting, gouging, and marking, in both handheld and mechanized modes. This level of versatility may not be available in all competing systems- some may fall short in certain categories, making your new tool less useful than you thought. Feel free to discuss your specific needs and future plans for the plasma system with us- we can help you choose the right configuration that aligns with your work needs as well as your budget needs. 
You can do all the above work of calculating and weighing options, but your efforts can ruined if the person operating the plasma cutter hasn’t had proper training.
Inexperienced or untrained operators can inadvertently escalate costs through minor errors that lead to more material waste, higher maintenance expenses, downtime, and just overall labor costs. Common issues include poor technique that might cause more wear on torch consumables/cartridges, or cause damage to the metal being worked on. This might necessitate additional or unnecessary finishing work, such as grinding, which can add up quick. But one of the greatest things about the Powermax systems is their user friendliness! They’re simple enough to operate that even novices can get professional-grade results fast! Of course, learning the correct techniques is essential for peak performance and safety. Which is why it is also great that Hypertherm provides a wealth of training resources- from face-to-face workshops to online courses and tutorials via the Hypertherm Cutting Institute. Having accessible training not only minimizes operator mistakes but also ensures the accuracy of your total cost of ownership calculations. 
Ready to commit to a new plasma cutter, but still unsure of what would work best for you? Don't stress, as an official Hypertherm partner, we can help guide you to the right unit and the right configuration for your specific needs! Fill out the form below to reach out today!
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