man I love CNC plasma

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Cut out a sign for a buddy of mine to show off the edge quality on 1/2 inch thick steel. I think it came out really nice. Seeing how I have only been playing with 1/2 inch for about half a day. I delivered this to him yesterday. He was showing one of his customers, who promptly said. "Is that 1/2 inch?" his response "Yeah, why?" the customer said "Because my buddy has a CNC plasma and cannot get anywhere near that detail and quality." my buddy just grinned.The first pic is before I took it off the table. The second pic is before clean up. The second is after about 2 min with a flap disk to knock off the dross. Attached ImagesOffering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Nice. I forget what CNC system do you have?.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Nice. Which power supply do you use to carry up this cuts?ThanksMauricio
Reply:I fired up my table today to cut 3 things. First time I had the table going in a month or so.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I have a precision plasma HBL 5X10 table, CandCNC bladerunner 640 4axis electronics, and a hypertherm powermax65. All cuts were made to hypertherm's book specs. This was half inch. The two holes you see in the second pic to the left of the "T" were .0005 of straight. That's good enough to run a round tube through.I cannot praise hypertherm enough. They know what they are doing with Plasma. I love my table and electronics, but I really think the PM65 is the one to thank for the edge quality.I offer anyone with another plasma and machine torch to stop by, and we will compair. I would be interested to see how it turns out.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:On a side note did anyone notice the missing "e"? It's supposed to be missing, but just wondering.......Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Looks really nice. What were your settings? IPM and such?
Reply:Are you running torch height control?Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:ha, I noticed and couldn't help thinking maybe it could add a floating comma   '     twist'dmetal           Last edited by turbocad6; 09-13-2012 at 12:46 AM.miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:I'll have to look up the settings tomorrow. Yeah I'm using hight control. I only lock it out on small circles. Although I don't know it's needed much on this thick of steel. But I got it so why not.....Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:16g110 ipm, 40 ampJasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:1/2" steel....at 65 amps with a Hypertherm Powerma65 (or 85, or 105, same specs)Pierce height:.18"Pierce delay time: 1.2 secondsCut Height: .06"Arc Voltage: 135 Volts (start at this voltage, adjust on first cut to maintain the .06" cut height)Cut speed: 30 inches per minute (best quality) 50 ipm (max)Amperage: 65Consumables: 65 amp shieldedThe nice thing about the Powermax systems...the book specs are almost perfect....makes it easy to get the best cut quality. I just did these parts the other day using the 65 amp process on 3/4" steel....these parts will be mirror brackets for a reproduction antique furniture maker...he will hand massage these with grinder and files to make them look like the original castings for a mirror bracket.Jim Colt Attached ImagesLast edited by jimcolt; 09-13-2012 at 08:40 AM.
Reply:I really really want a cnc plasma cutter!Nice work, I like the font. What benefit does the AVHC do for you with a plasma anyway? I can see if it was a router on a CNC.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Jim, I'm going from memory here but I think the book spec on the pierce delay is 1.5 seconds. (unless I readit wrong, wich is possible) but if 1.2 works I'll be changing mine and trying again.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproe16g110 ipm, 40 amp
Reply:I'm in my shop with the manual open...1.2 second pierce delay for 1/2" steel with the 65 amp shielded parts..1.5 would work....just a bigger pierce hole!  I often use a higher pierce height...as much as .25. As long as your z axis moves fast enough to index from pierce to cut height while still on the lead-in....a higher pierce keeps blowback off the shield better.Jim Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabJim, I'm going from memory here but I think the book spec on the pierce delay is 1.5 seconds. (unless I readit wrong, wich is possible) but if 1.2 works I'll be changing mine and trying again.
Reply:Just do the holes slower...outside contours should be at the recommended speed. Spray the bottom of the sheet with anti spatter spray...and you can minimize dross dramatically. Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabLooks good. I have  200 keychains to cut out of 16 ga. But I need to do a few test cuts to eliminate dross. I don't want to do cleanup on 200 parts that are 2X3. And since there are a bunch of small holes, and I won't be running at book specs, (I'll be slower) I need to see about minimizing cleanup. I nested all my parts yesterday and there will be 45 min of cutting and the total job is just under 3 hours of run time. 5900 inches cut, 10,000 inches of total travel, I will have 2700 pierces as well. It looks like I may need a few sets of consumables to get it done. But we will see how it goes. I'm thinking about changing consumables after every 60 parts.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI really really want a cnc plasma cutter!Nice work, I like the font. What benefit does the AVHC do for you with a plasma anyway? I can see if it was a router on a CNC.
Reply:Height control is critical for cut quality...height tolerances are held to about plus or minus .005", height control is also necessary for good consumable life...piercing must be higher than cutting. Plasma torches run close to the plate....without height control there would be a lot of collisions...with it....you can program hundreds of parts and go do something else in the shop while the machine is cutting.Jim Originally Posted by GambleI really really want a cnc plasma cutter!Nice work, I like the font. What benefit does the AVHC do for you with a plasma anyway? I can see if it was a router on a CNC.
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltI'm in my shop with the manual open...1.2 second pierce delay for 1/2" steel with the 65 amp shielded parts..1.5 would work....just a bigger pierce hole!  I often use a higher pierce height...as much as .25. As long as your z axis moves fast enough to index from pierce to cut height while still on the lead-in....a higher pierce keeps blowback off the shield better.Jim
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabThe big advantage of THC is when cutting thin materials. You need to maintain a hight of .06 for ideal cutting. When j cut 20ga I saw it warp as much as 2.5-3 inches. The THC allows the arc to maintain the correct .06 hight even on the warped piece. Your cutting turns out so much better. Cutting 1/2 inch it's really not too much if an issue. I doubt a jet of plasma would input enough heat to see and warpage.
Reply:My table has auto material sensing. Basically, the torch will lower until a switch is tripped. Then the machine will zero the z axis. This is how mine works I cannot comment on torchmate, as I do not have there table. But to answder your question no you do not have to recalibrate for different materials. Here is a hypothetical situation for you. I could run 1/8 inch and 1/4 and butt the pieces together, and cut an image with half on each piece. And in theory the table will adjust to the different heights just fine. But in reality that won't work, not if you want good cuts. As the voltages will be changing, the pierce highest, and feed rates would be different ect. That and risking a collision and snapping a torch is not worth it. (on the ledge your cutting over between the materials)Now gamble, I would not consider THC an option. Unless your on a really small table cutting at low speed and have time to think about turning a knob. At 150 ipm feedrates good luck keeping a good hold on the knob let alone turning it. Look into some of the companys that have it integrated into the program. And don't worry about it.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm looking into a torchmate but without the AVHC option because it's a pricey option to start with.
Reply:It seems like there is no clear right or wrong here if you can afford a THC fine. But if not maybe a floating torch head and magnetic clamp holding the torch on will work too.  No Big it seems like you use a floating head for initial setup for metal thickness and THC when running the cutting operation.
Reply:Yeah. That's the setup I have. Works great. Although other ways work equally well I'm sure.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.On the THC, if you buy a machine that has it integrated affording it is not a problem. And the electronics package I use, it's cheaper, than buying some of the indipendent hight control systems. So there is really no reason not to have it. That is unless you buy a table that makes it an option. But you will find once you add it, you will not know how you got along without it Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:The majority of complaints I hear regarding cut quality and consumable life on entry level cnc machines are caused by either ..no height control, or a malfunctioning height control. If you use the machine...the height control will pay for itself in gained productivity and consumable cost savings.You cannot by an industrial (read expensive) CNC plasma machine without height control....they will not sell them without it!Jim Colt
Reply:Not all of us are working in a commercial shop or we build our own tables (my case).Understand I will have one when money allows.  We may not drive Cadillac’s but we still get to the ball game.  All information discussed here is appreciated and is met with enthusiasm. Thanks one and all.
Reply:Man I drive a 6tear old beat to craP dodge. No caddie here.I don't work in a commercial shop. Could not afford a table, and had no choice but to build my own. It was the only way it was going to happen. I took a loan out aginst my 401K to, and in doing so I invested all the money I have into it. Now I do pay myself back on the loan and pay myself the intrest, but I had to go as cheap as possible. And it paid off in spades. I feel that I got a much better table and understand it much better building it myself, vs a turnkey. I have my table dialed in and running with the best parts I could afford and in in the whole thing for $12,000 this includes the plasma and Quincy air compressor, all the needed steel for the table, running electrical, you name it. And this is for a heavy duty 5X10 that seems solid enough it will be running decades from now. All done in my standard 20X20 2car garage.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:I've been playing around with a CNC plasma machine at work. I think I'll get one for myself if I ever leave the job.another thing to consider; I'd heard more than once the main advantage of plasma over oxy and fuel is speed (plus ability to cut stainless). Cutting speed isn't a huge thing to your average DIYer. You could save some coin by going with a torch set-up initially at least, then swap or add tools as you grow.Last edited by Groo; 09-14-2012 at 01:13 PM.
Reply:My hats off to you NO Big how many guys have the attitude boy I wish I could do that.  You put the money where your mouth is, great but do pay the 401 back. My table is not that big (34” X 48” cutting space) not that much money invested, but I can say I did it.  Like you and others I learned as I went and I am happy with what I can do. Still learning (just bought sheet cam). I’m one of those heavy duty hobby types, with a shop full of tools and way too many projects in the pipe line including building another bigger table. I have started stock piling the parts for it already.  For those on the fence go for it you only live once.Have funTom
Reply:yeah the 401 will be paid back its automatically taken from my check. and i figured tying the money up is not really a big deal since the economy sucks right now and i was loosing money, so at least this way it may be better when the funds are available for investing. i was only gaining about 1% on the account (above what i put in) and the loan (gratid its my own money) pays 4% interest a year. so it seemed like a good way to buy a money maker and protect myself. even if i never make a cent with it, i dont have a huge personal loan that i could not cover. on that note i just sold a bracket to a guy that i built a quad bumper for. i had it all drawn up and he wanted to see the table in action, so we cut it while he was here and he was impressed. i had to weld a stiffener to it and from start to finish it took a whopping 10 min. that included cooling time after welding. and he gladly paid $40 for it.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.