CNC Plasma Table Build

If you have a 3d printer take a look at the floating head design i printed .

 

It is ok... it will keep me from getting "bored or distracted" like what happen with the heat treat kiln I started shory after the belt grinder which still needs a stand an a permanent mounting solution for the vfd.

The cnc plasma table is wife approved since she has a special project it requires. She is eager to have ot finished since it has been longer than either of is wanted. So spending money to get nearly all the parts was easy to justify.

I am taking the extra time on the certain area since i am approaching this as a "product development" and not just a tool for my shop. Of nothing else just for practice. But i know, someone is going to see itan ask can you build me one?

 

I got my home/limit switches mounted in an acceptable manner.

I just can't get Mach3 to activate the home switch/limit switch.

I can get the led for each access to illuminate when a limit switch is hit, but I just can't get the table to " reference all home".

I do think I'm closing in on the issue, but decided to take a step back before I started wrecking things.

Will report back tomorrow.

 

I have not gotten that far with Mach yet... but from my limited reading, I am wondering if the limit switches are being triggered the way Mach expects ie pulled HIGH or LOW?

Lets see the mount you came up with for the limit switches...

 

Spent the last couple days drawing up a portion of the schematic for the control box.

Here is a rough unfinished version of what I have so far. Maybe someone can spot any glaring mistakes, and maybe it gives an idea to someone else especially on the latching safety circuit side which I used nearly the same circuit portion as "BUILDBUG" on youtube.

There are some circuit protections devices not shown in these drawings; master disconnect for power, main circuit breaker, and branch fuses for each power supply for example..

 

I used DB9's for my motor connections, your GX-16-4 will work just fine and they are cheap.

Are you installing resistors to reduce motor watts during idle?

As for the rest, I can't be much help. I barely know my own system...but am getting better..lol.

 

Today I was able to get all the componets mounted to.the backplate. The carbon fiber nylon was a bit stiff to go over the din rail. I ended up sliding the 3d printed parts onto the rail then bolting that section of rail to the backplate.







The 24x24 panel.seemed massive and almost to big , until I started laying out the finger duct. In the end I think it turned out to be just abpit right. There is some space on lower left for a small.EMI filter on the input power.

And room on the lower right for the din rail section that will be for the home.and limit.switch wiring

 

As long as the case fits where you wanted it, you will definitely like having the extra room for wiring.

I've come to the point where I need 3 beers to take the tremors out of my fingers so I can use the soldering iron in my enclosure. Lol. (Who am I kidding, I'd have 3 beers anyways).

Great update. Thanks for the pics.

 

Made a bit of progress on the control panel today. Finished up the AC side, the latching circuit that controls the main E-stop and soft on/off is 24v DC that side needs to be finished up and i can start bench testing portions of the panel.






I also picked up an old laptop to run Mach 4 and sheet cam on, so later tonight I will start working on installing the software.

 

I've been meaning to research the differences between M3 and M4. Haven't got around to it yet.

Do you know of any advantages over 1 or the other?

My goal tomorrow is to see if my Proma THC will function. Been running without torch height control for 18 months.

 

I got the Proma THC unit to work. Pretty happy, here.

Need to figure out an enclosure for the thing. It's an odd design. Most peeps 3d print out a box for it. I don't have a 3d printer.

 

The control board i have recommended mach 4, i went with an ethernet based card since it is supposed to have better isolation between the computer and the control panel. Less chance of blowing out an usb port and hopefully less noise.

Well... you have a plasma cutter? Why not cut a flat pattern out and bend it out sheet metal?

Or if you find a design you like, I might be persuaded to print it for you...

 

Both sarnarios went thru my mind.

I do want to do some more testing to see if I'm going to have EMF issues.

Once I feel I'm secure and not losing steps I'll look to make or buy a decent enclosure and a permanent home for the Proma.

I've seen were some recommend having the Proma mounted on the plasma cutter and some say mount it near the controller.

My plasma is remote from my table, so I'm hoping EMF is already reduced.

I'm a complete novice at this CNC plasma thing, so I do a LOT if trial and error...which is quite fun since I'm not doing this to make a living, just augmenting my already existing fabrication hobby (wife calls it a Business) lol.

 

I am curious about this torch holder.

Can it be adapted to hold hand torch? My Miller does not offer a machine torch, that I know of.

2nd question, is this going to magnet mounted for a breakaway feature in the event of a collision?

These are pretty spendy in a metal version.

3rd question? What kind of coin are you thinking to print up another? I am interested.

Thanks.
Kirk

 

I didn't even register your last comment in your post.

I'll grab a snap of my limit switches tomorrow and toss them up.

 

It will work with the hand torch. It does not.have the magnetic breakaway. Not certain it wiuld.be needed with the floating head. However if it does turn out to be required I think it would.be easy.to.adapt by bolting the floating head to something.like.an 11g back plate and make.a mount.for the gantry with the magnets. That appears to.me as an.easy way to convert the design to a breakaway.

What size.is your torch head? I have everything except the linear bearings to make another one. Been eyeballing your welding squares.. so.... maybe.we can work.something out

 

Lol.

I'll measure out my head tomorrow!

Edit: that sounded a bit wrong, but I wrote it, so it stays.

I'm hearing what your cheering!

Thanks!

 

Wrong? Lol should hang out with us at work... should have seen the look on the safety guys face... over multiple things said or done on our job sites. Would make a salty old master chief blush.

 

One of the tools I seldom use, but I am grateful to have on hand is my hydraulic knock out set. It made cutting the hole for the 110mm fan cleaner and faster than a holesaw.





About this time I was notfied of last minute OT so I had to stop and start getting tools and stuff packed to return to work.

 

Starting installing the gx16 connectors for the motors and sensors.







The dust filter for the fans
arrived as well.