Whats Ahead for Mechanized HVAC Plasma Cutting?
Machine builders anticipate steady growth in demand for mechanized HVAC plasma machines. In November 2002 a patent related to HVAC software expired. The licensing fees associated with this proprietary technology have been a significant portion of the total machine cost. The capital cost of these systems is expected to go down. At the same time, new HVAC plasma machines will be equipped with the latest in plasma and automation technology. According to Ken Shannon, president of Advance Cutting Systems in Birmingham, Ala., a supplier of HVAC cutting and forming equipment, “Expect to see HVAC plasma cutting machines with better, PC-based control technology along with more features than ever before, and at a lower price. These machines will be able to take advantage of advancements in software, motion control, and plasma systems that have been around for a few years on higher-end fabricating machines, and at a lower price due to the fact that proprietary HVAC system licensing fees are no lo
