CNC Plasma Table Build

I have Slowly been gathering parts and materials to build a CNC Plasma table. The Planned Cutting area is 4'x4' with Linear rails and ball screws attached to 3nm NEMA 23 motors

Right now there is not much to see. other than some pictures of Steel

 

Random specs and data for future reference:

Stepper Motor 23HS45-4204S:

• Manufacturer Part Number: 23HS45-4204S
• Motor Type: Bipolar Stepper
• Step Angle: 1.8 deg
• Holding Torque: 3Nm(425oz.in)
• Rated Current/phase: 4.2A
• Voltage: 3.78V
• Phase Resistance: 0.9ohms
• Inductance: 3.8mH ± 20%(1KHz)
• Frame Size: 57 x 57mm
• Body Length: 113mm
• Shaft Diameter: Φ10mm
• Shaft Length: 24mm
• Number of Leads: 4
• Lead Length: 400mm
• Weight: 1.8kg

Stepper Driver DM556T:

• Anti-Resonance for optimal torque, extra smooth motion, low motor heating and noise
• Motor auto-identification and parameter auto-configuration for optimal torque from wide- range motors
• Step and direction (PUL/DIR) control
• Multi-Stepping for smooth motor movement
• TTL compatible and optically isolated inputsto 5.6A
• Input voltage 20-50VDC
• 16 selectable micro-step resolutions of 400-25,600 via DIP switches
• 8 selectable output current settings of 1.8A to 5.6A via DIP switches
• Soft-start with no "jump" when powered on
• Pulse input frequency up to 200 KHz
• Automatic idle-current reduction
• Protections for over-voltage and over-current

Electrical Specifications:

• Output Peak Current: 1.8~5.6A (4.0 RMS)
• Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 24-48VDC)
• Logic Signal Current: 7~16mA (Typical 10mA)
• Pulse Input Frequency: 0~200kHz
• Pulse Width: 2.5μS
• Isolation Resistance: 500MΩ
• Output Peak Current: 1.8~5.6A (4.0 RMS)
• Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 24-48VDC)
• Logic Signal Current: 7~16mA (Typical 10mA)
• Pulse Input Frequency: 0~200kHz
• Pulse Width: 2.5μS
• Isolation Resistance: 500MΩ

Type: HGR20 Slide Rail

• Material: Gcr15 steel
• Rail Shaft Length: 1500mm/59inch
• Nuts: BF12/BK12 nuts
• Fixing Screw Hole Size: M4x16mm
• Static Load Ratings: 25.31
• Allowable Static Torque: 0.17kNm
• Weight: Approx.300g (10.6oz)

3d printed parts

Stepper motor covers W/GX16 Connector Opening
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1002246

DM556T Stepper Motor Driver- DIN rail mounts
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2329352

Drag Chain
https://www.printables.com/model/158723-energy-chain-igus-e2c-series-compatible/files

 

reserved

 

You need to reserve about 10 more posts.

Not to bogart your build thread, but I'm thinkihg about changing my limit switch acnchoring. I just don't like the wires half assed routed.

I guess the point im trying to make is...You are never truely dont building a cnc plasma table...or learning either.

 

I am hoping you share your knowledge here as well.. there is so much to learn and many different ways to accomplish the same end goal.

 

Well, I'm fairly stupid myself, but I will be willing to share my mistakes as long as the dog pile on my ass isn't to big. Lol.

 

One of my 1st mistakes was to make the base exactly 4'x 4' on the inside of the legs. I should have made 50" x 50". This allows you to store 4 x 4 sheets below the water pan.

 

Subbed

 

Lol oops..

Never thought of the storage aspect, but the machine will have full 4x4 cutting capacity. So the frame is being built oversized to compensate for the lost space taken up by the gantry

 

What a collection of parts... and I managed to misplace the z axis rails kit... it has been 2 years..

I found a 48v 500w power supply on my parts shelf leftovers from another life. It will become the power supply for the motors.

The motor couplers that came with the rail kits are the wrong size for the steppers so new ones need to be ordered.

I am planning on aluminum extrusion for the gantry beam. The 8dea being to reduce inertial mass. Hoping the heavy frame and light gantry combo helps performance.

 

What controller software are you using for this? I'm using Mach3. It does everything I need.

I noticed you showed no limit switches in your list of parts. Does the kit rely on soft limits to stop crashes?

I'm actually thinking of getting rid of my limit switches and just rely on the soft limit. Opinions, anyone?

 

I will be using mach 4, the new ethernet smoothstepper supposedly no longer supports mach 3.

Limit and home switches will be proximity switches. They still need to be ordered.

 

Was looking around on thingiverse and found a couple designs for a 3d printed floating Z axis. I will be printing these out and seeing which one will work best, or will be the basis for designing my own.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4508176

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2516238

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3883373

 

Sooo... I have a very vested interest in hobby CNC and will be watching this!

What control board is that?

 

It is the ethernet smoothstepper
https://warp9td.com/

 

I was very close to going with these guys, but talked myself into going with a Gecko 540 kit.

I started my build with ZERO CNC experience. I owned a plasma cutter and that was it!

I figured I better know how these things work, so I'd be better off building the controller myself.

I stumbled upon this cat and his vids. have been super happy with every purchase and after sales contacts.

He may sound a bit arrogant, but he knows his shit, in my unprofessional opinion.

I bought this kit...or one similar to it and it was a huge time and money saver.

Don't take my word for it, though, watch his vids and make your own opinion.

I don't want to horn in on the op' s thread, just wanted to point out there are some optional good sources for CNC kits.

 

Most of the kits available are similar in construction. Form factor and component quality is usually the only difference and replacement parts are easy to find since there are plenty of decent Gecko driver clones. I'd say the most valuable thing for new CNCers is support. Things have gotten better over the last 10 years or so for hobbyists in terms of support.

 

Anyone using something like this?

4 Axis 6 Axis USB Mach3 Wireless Handwheel Controller Remote Hand Control CNC Handwheel Manual Pulse Generator for CNC Lathe Engraving Milling Machine (WHB04B) (4 Axis)

$126 CNCTOPBAOS 4 Axis USB Mach3 Handwheel Controller Remote Hand Control CNC Handwheel Manual Pulse Generator for CNC Router Lathe Engraving Milling Machine (WHB04B-4)

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07JN4P3YH

 

No, but I've considered it. I use an Xbox controller, but my current table is about as weird as it gets.

I will say that if I didn't use an Xbox controller, I'd definitely have something similar to that controller. Do you know what kind of signal it sends?

I didn't realize it was wireless until just now. I think I prefer wired for reliability.

 

I'm trying to reduce wires, so I found this attractive. This does come as wired version as well.

For some reason, win10 running Mach3 does not support the Xbox controller. I tried everything to get it to work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.