Plasma table build, first question....

[Davek0974]

A couple of pictures...
the whole contraption....... :)


And one of my first attempt at a floating head that I knocked together today...


It's a couple of cut-down ball-bearing drawer runners and a bit of ally plate and a switch :)

[Davek0974]

Here's another video of her running a g-code file created from a file intended for a laser etching machine that makes cutting dies I use in the day job. It's an evil file and would not work with plasma due to the kerf width but it's a great test job.
http://www.davekearley.co.uk/LinkPics/CNCVID2.mp4

The image shown has been overdrawn two or three times already and shows zero step error or loss. The more I play with it the more impressed I am.

This was also shot before I fixed the CV issue I had spotted today that's why it seems a little jerky.

I'm work-hardening the electronics now, until that's done I dare not light the torch near it, bound to bugger something up ;)

[Davek0974]

Got the panel wired today...

Just need to figure out a slat support system and I can start test cutting :)

[Davek0974]

Tidied things up a bit today,




Pretty much ready each for the table bed and the torch I think. Can't think of anyway to harden the electronics further, it's got a relay isolated 24v control circuit, decent grounding, steel cabinet, no low level signals outside the box, so on.

I've got someone cutting some slats for the bed, seemed the easiest way.

[Davek0974]

I ordered a new plasma cutter today, rather than mess about with my little 30A drag torch, I rang my supplier and fixed a good part exchange package on a 50A pilot arc model with machine torch.

hopefully that will ensure that at least the torch is up to the job, it also has CNC connections.

[Robin Hewitt]

a good part exchange package on a 50A pilot arc model with machine torch

Wowsers, I stopped at 40A so I could use it at home as well as in my workshop. Didn't reckon her indoors would see any logic to having 3ph in the garage and digging the street up, but I did manage to sneak in a 32A 1ph socket when we rewired the place.

[Davek0974]

:)

it's the biggest I can run in my shop, needs a 32A socket fitting.