Xtractor Simplifies Operations with AKS PLASMATIC Machine

Waiting on outsourced parts delays production and eats into profit margins. That’s the challenge Xtractor, a leader in garnet removal systems, faced with their manufacturing operation. Tied to pre-cut steel and high upfront material costs, they knew there had to be a better way.

That’s when the Xtractor team discovered the AKS PLASMATIC, a streamlined CNC plasma cutting machine that gave them total control over their fabrication process. Read on to see how Xtractor used the PLASMATIC to eliminate lag time, reduce upfront capital costs, and even open new streams of business.

From Outsourced Delays to In-House Control

For years, Xtractor relied on a third party for pre-cut steel. George Schade, Owner & Operator for Xtractor, noted that this tied up considerable amounts of capital. “In order to keep the price down, we would buy in bulk,” he said. “I would have to go out and commit, say, $25,000 worth of steel, pre-cut, brought down to our shop to make it economical in today’s environment.”

Schade looked for a new solution that would eliminate the need to tie up so much capital at one time. That solution came in the form of the AKS PLASMATIC machine. As a streamlined CNC plasma cutting machine, the PLASMATIC offered a rugged resolution at a cost-effective price.

“With the PLASMATIC, we can go out and just buy two sheets of metal, put them up on the table, and have everything cut within an hour,” Schade said. “We don’t have to go to a secondary supplier — that’s huge. And fabrication goes so much smoother. Any time we have a need, it’s so easy to program. Just throw a quick program in and you’re off and running again.”

Why the PLASMATIC Machine?

When asked why the company chose the PLASMATIC over competing machines, Schade noted the superior construction compared to other models.

“This is a rugged machine,” he said. “It’s not built like an entry-level machine. A lot of times, when you get plasma cutters that come down into the beginning range or a small shop table, they’re usually on a frame and not solid. If you’re running at a high speed, the movement of the table can affect the bridge. When you walk up to a booth at a trade show and you shake the machine and it wiggles, that’s not something you should purchase. The PLASMATIC has a full chassis underneath holding it in place. That’s mainly why we went with this one.”

Schade also noted that the PLASMATIC fits their unique power requirements. Located in a rural area, the shop only has access to single-phase 220-volt power. Many of the machines Xtractor was considering ran on three-phase, 480-volt power. The PLASMATIC offered a suitable power range that allowed them to cut their chosen material thickness.

“Our range is anywhere from 3/16-inch to 1/2-inch plate,” Schade said. “The machine is rated for 3/8-inch, but we found that if you put a new tip in it and cut it at 80% speed, that PowerMax85 plasma cuts absolutely perfectly with very little drift.”

Cutting New Lag Time and Creating New Revenue

Schade mentioned that Xtractor has streamlined operations and opened up new business opportunities since acquiring the PLASMATIC. Most notably, Xtractor no longer has a long lag time.

“When we get an order, we like to get it out the door as fast as we can,” he said. “Previously, it might have taken two to three weeks to get a batch of machines in here. Or, we’d have to cover the cost of having to buy four sets of a VX unit or 20 sets of our back box units. That ties up a lot of capital. The PLASMATIC allows us to make a quick decision and get our product line moving. It’s really cut down on lag time.”

Additionally, the PLASMATIC has opened up new revenue streams for the business. When companies hear the shop has a PLASMATIC machine, they often come to Schade to request cutting services. Xtractor is now able to take on work cutting dock skids, which they wouldn’t have been able to do without the machine.

Support That Goes Beyond the Sale

Schade also noted that the customer service AKS provides has exceeded expectations. Initially, Xtractor purchased the PLASMATIC machine and was not planning to use it for at least six months after it arrived. When the company did want to get it up and running, setup was easy.

“One day, we called AKS and said, ‘hey, how do we turn this thing on?’ And they were wonderful,” Schade said. “Within a couple of very short phone calls, we had that thing up and running. The only time we have to call them is if we get stuck on something that we don’t know about in the program. Then we’re up and running.”

Schade was impressed with the level of attention the AKS team offered, as well. “I was calling a gentleman named Jason who works for AKS,” he said. “He picked up the phone 100% of the time, even when I didn’t realize he wasn’t at work. If he didn’t have an answer, he’d get right back to us.”

A Smarter Way to Cut — Now and in the Future

For Xtractor, the PLASMATIC machine has brought control, speed, and scalability to their operation. With reduced lead times, lower capital investment, and reliable customer support, they’ve turned what was once a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.

Looking to streamline your own fabrication process? The PLASMATIC might be the solution that takes your production to the next level. Contact us today for more information.

About AKS Cutting Systems

AKS Cutting Systems is a leading producer of CNC plasma and waterjet cutting machines. As a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company, AKS has a strong reputation for durability, accuracy, and reliability with thousands of installations worldwide. For sales inquiries, please contact info@AKSCuttingSystems.com.

About Xtractor

Based near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Xtractor creates high-quality garnet removal systems for waterjet cutting machinery. The company’s proprietary kits make it a hands-free system, offering a high level of convenience.