Tig weld rack and pinion to cnc plasma frame?

[JAZZCNC]

USB could be problem.? It's flakey and not very good with noise. If you can afford it then I would look at controller with Ethernet.

Cslabs Ip-m is excellent industrial strength controller with 24V I/O which is very noise immune. It can also be used for THC.
It does allow slaved motors with one slight draw back that it only homes to one switch for slaved axis but for Plasma machine this isn't really big deal.

I fit these all the time and tell you 100% confidence nothing comes close to it for reliabilty and noise immunity. It's the Only controller I've used that will allow me to weld with TIG next to machine and not stop it.! . . . . I've used most controllers and none have been able to handle Tig at close range or on same Ring.

[warwick]

the machine is getting built so another controller at the end i will run to if it makes it work reliably, iv ordered and had delivered 16mm supported linear rails 3200mm..iv unpacked them tonight and the look really weedy...i was thinking of using a piece of 80x80 box to make the gantry or a piece of link pallet racking (doesnt seem such a great idea now)...whats the best way to construct a light weight gantry? i have linear rails and 2m of r&p...im worried that the y axis rails arnt going to stand the weight and forces??

i want the gantry to pertrude past the y axis outside the table and be able to run an ingraver...im not ever planning on doing any milling on this machine...iv got alot riding on this plasma working and working well,any help will be very greatfully receaved

[Clive S]

i want the gantry to pertrude past the y axis outside the table and be able to run an ingraver.

Not sure that this will be a good idea. How are you going to implement it?

[JAZZCNC]

16mm supported rails will handle 80mm box section easily so wouldn't be bothered there.

Dump the link pallet idea as it will only cause you grief. No point spoiling machine for little extra piece of box section costs.
80mm or 100mm box with with few well placed braces will be fine for plasma machine.
Regards the overhang then if you talking about using for Rotary type axis hanging off the side then yes no problem.

But if your talking about actually engraving on separate table kind of thing then I'd say don't waste your time and just build another machine because engraver and plasma are two very different animals.
Engraving machine needs to be far stiffer and accurate to work well and R&P just isn't going to cut if any real fine engraving type work is to be done.

[warwick]

Not sure that this will be a good idea. How are you going to implement it?

hi clive, i'll be extending the gantry outpast the side of the machine so i can carve gas cylinders

16mm supported rails will handle 80mm box section easily so wouldn't be bothered there.

Dump the link pallet idea as it will only cause you grief. No point spoiling machine for little extra piece of box section costs.
80mm or 100mm box with with few well placed braces will be fine for plasma machine.
Regards the overhang then if you talking about using for Rotary type axis hanging off the side then yes no problem.

But if your talking about actually engraving on separate table kind of thing then I'd say don't waste your time and just build another machine because engraver and plasma are two very different animals.
Engraving machine needs to be far stiffer and accurate to work well and R&P just isn't going to cut if any real fine engraving type work is to be done.

i'd like to be able to cut gas cylinder up,so i thought a couple of pillow block bearing supporting a shaft and then geared down so i can drive it with a stepper motor (in very simple terms).........you say 80x80 or 100x100 box will be ok..do you mean mild steel box or alloy? im more comfortable working in steel ..the link pallet racking idea was just because i had a pallet of the stuff knocking around BUT as youve said it will just devalue the integrety of the machine ...many thanks....

[Clive S]

i'll be extending the gantry outpast the side of the machine so i can carve gas cylinders

Just for clarity do you mean carve or cut with plasma by rotating the cylinder?

[warwick]

Just for clarity do you mean carve or cut with plasma by rotating the cylinder?

very sorry...i would like to cut with the plasma.......................

[Clive S]

very sorry...i would like to cut with the plasma.......................

Well in that case I think it would be fine.