First real CNC Plasma part.

[Gadget]

I cut this out today with my home brew CNC table and the Longevity LS160P welder/plasma unit. I created the CAD drawing using Alibre Design. I then opened that DXF file in sheetcam TNG (both eval programs) to create the GCode toolpath.
The CNC table uses EMC2 linux CAM to control the table. I finally got the unit dialed in where I can cut at up to 48" per minute and am having much better results now. The part is about 5"X4". All holes including the smallest one (5/16") were cut with the plasma as well as the outer edges of the part. No touch up was needed other than to clean the slag off the bottom. The plate is aluminum about 3/32" thick. The scratch marks were slag on the cutter tip. I used the non contact modification to the torch tip and the cut height was .08. I could have gone to .125 I think and kept the tip cleaner.

Gadget

[chenry]

looks pretty good, how accurate did it come out?

[Gadget]

I tested it with a digital caliper and found the large hole diameter to be within .002 of desired diameter and the radius cuts were spot on. I was quite surprised and pleased. Couldn't have milled it any closer than that.

Gadget

[mudbugone]

Glad to hear it worked out so well----You ready to start producing parts for the general public?

Keep us posted on any new developments.

Dave

[mudbugone]

I wasn't being a smarta** with the comment about being ready to produce parts.... I visit another forum.. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/xr3car/ .. where there has been discussion about where to get parts made. They just received their plans from the designer and there are some that require being cut by some other method than most have access to. If you're interested in low production you might pickup some takers for parts as well as some extra mad money.

[Gadget]

Dave,
I am getting closer to considering outside work. I am still learning the process and working out the kinks but I can see where I should be able to do some low production work in the near future.
I started out with this as a hobby project but can now envision it as a suplemental income when I retire.
Gadget

[gaustin]

How accurate was the location of the holes to each other ?

[Gadget]

They were right on the mark.

[mudbugone]

So how's things working out with your new toy after a couple of weeks of playing with it?

[joebiplane]

Nice work gadget
Tell me.... I'm sure you have been asked before, How much $$$ and how much time and trouble was the CNC table ?

I see kits from Torchmate that start at $3,500 PLUS THE ACTUAL TABLE PARTS AND LABOR,, how achievable is a " Home brew " , as you call it, to the average ' Joe"
thanks and Congrats on your tenacity to complete such a project

JOE

[Gadget]

Joe,
My CNC was done with mostly common lumber and hardware store parts. The axis rollers are roller skate bearings. I built from plans knowing nothing about CNC. I learned along the way, so can you. The hardest part of the whole thing was learning how to go from idea or drawing to machine code. Once you have that process the rest is fairly easy. I am using the Linux EMC2 machine controller, Alibre CAD the free version, and Sheetcam TNG (alpha version which is also free) so the software was pretty much free. The table cost about $650.00 including motors and controller.
I am still fine tuning my unit. I have built faster lead screws to get better cutting speeds. I must now shield all wiring, PC, and controller to eliminate lost steps due to the plasma starting and stopping.
Overall I would say the average person can do this and be successful. It takes some time to complete the unit and still more time to fine tune it but well worth the effort.
Gadget

[buhler]

This is just a random thought and maybe you already had it :waving:
you could use inexpensive plastic fiber optic cable from your sheilded main drive "brain" unit to your sheilded motor controlers right on your motors.

No long wires to pick up stray rfi noise signals ??

[Gadget]

Nice thought but it won't work. The controller (single board) controls all three motors. It is connected to the PC by parallel cable.
Gadget

[Joe H]

That's darn cool, Gadget. What plans did you build your table from?

[Gadget]

That's darn cool, Gadget. What plans did you build your table from?

I used these plans Joe. I built the two lead screw table. Nice thing about their plans is you buy one you get them all.

Gadget

[mudbugone]

I used these plans Joe. I built the two lead screw table. Nice thing about their plans is you buy one you get them all.

Gadget


Did I miss something???? What plans?

[Gadget]

Did I miss something???? What plans?

You didn't miss something, I DID!!!!
Here is the link.
http://www.solsylva.com/
Sorry,
Gadget

[mudbugone]

You didn't miss something, I DID!!!!
Here is the link.
http://www.solsylva.com/
Sorry,
Gadget


LOL--I think we all do that--- As a matter of fact this is the second time I'm writing this---I forgot to post it the first time---:sleeping:

So these are router tables that you converted to use a plasma cutter instead... Correct? I don't know a lot about the function of either type table other than I'd love to be able to build one that could cut out designs in sheetmetal.

How about some detail type pics of your setup,to give a general idea of how it works/looks.

You've done a super job making this work for you & Thanks for sharing .