DIY Plasma CNC Table

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HiHere are some pictures and videos of my second Plasma CNC table.  Shown with it is the controller box which has all of the electronics (computer, power supplies and drivers) on top are the keyboard and mouse.  A usb hub is used to import G-code files or up-grades.  The table is setup so I can put a 4’ X 4’ sheet with room for parking the moving parts out of the way so I can load material clearly.  The water table is barrowed from my other table so I could make test cuts.  One video shows testing operation of the floating head torch holder for automatic cutting position setup.  I am setting up a plans package PM if interested.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B8neSI7xP4[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leWjHZe_rcc[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY_FW_vxjA0&list=UUrWyAGIpMmQfMwq0KTKpuRw&  index=1[/ame]Have funTom Attached ImagesLast edited by acourtjester; 04-16-2013 at 10:23 AM.Reason: add info
Reply:You've been busy. Everything looks great. In your first video it appears your floating head is using the micro switch to set the material height? Pretty slick. It appears to work well. How does it do on thin material?On my table I originally monitored the servo strain to do basically the same but found that it would cause thinner materials to flex so when the force was removed the material would spring back... spoiling the height. I later tried a laser which was a disaster for anything not reflective (nearly everything). I'm now using ohmic touch and it has been a dream, works great. It touches off so lightly and measures the height on return. Any reason you went with the floating head instead of ohmic touch?I would love a gantry that was sturdy enough to mount a drill... to pre-drill start holes in thick plate (1"+)... right now I layout my pierce locations and drill by hand. If I ever design a new table... it will accommodate a drill.Last edited by forhire; 04-16-2013 at 11:19 AM.
Reply:That is pretty slick.
Reply:I use the floating head is in series with the “Z” home/limit showing an open circuit as a touch or for a broken wire safety.  But if you switched the circuit to NO then an ohmic touch would do the trick.  I have not done much thin material cutting but plans to do some soon now that I am finished with the table.  If your grate has narrow spacing and the sheet is flat it should work fine.
Reply:I forgot to say this table cost me about $1300. for steel, motor/controller, paint, bearings, and other parts.  You will need an old desktop to run the software maybe another $120.
Reply:i love the setup.syncrowave 180 sd
Reply:Thanks I enjoyed building the tables I will be putting the first on up for sale. Plans for the second one are listed below in the for sale postshave funTom
Reply:Out of curiosity, what torch height controller are you using?Also, your Z-movements are somewhat confusing... It seems that the controller raises the torch way up (slowly), then probes down for the plate, then goes way back up again (slowly) then down again (slowly) to cut height, then fires the torch/pierces (I couldn't see a difference in pierce and rapid heights). Why so many extraneous moves, especially with a z-axis that slow? Also, it looks like you're rapid travelling around while still at cut height, isn't that more than a bit dangerous? Originally Posted by acourtjesterI use the floating head is in series with the “Z” home/limit showing an open circuit as a touch or for a broken wire safety.  But if you switched the circuit to NO then an ohmic touch would do the trick.
Reply:Originally Posted by TensaitekiOut of curiosity, what torch height controller are you using?One of the reasons I am glad I left Mach far behind was because of it's M.O. of using the Z-home/limit for initial height sensing (that and it being way over priced and overrated). If you are always changing the home point of an axis, how is the controller supposed to know where in it's travel, the axis is? (Hint: it can't)