Here is my plasma machine I am working on.

[drad98]

Hey guys,
Here are a few pics of the plasma table I am working on, should have the z stage done tomorrow and the plasma torch this weekend. Am planning on the campbell thc once I get all the bugs worked out. Feel free to make comments and suggestions.

[ynneb]

Thanks for the pictures. Its starting to look good.
I dont know much about the speed / acceleration / deceleration requirements for plasma, but if that were a router, you would find that the Y axis is not reduced enough.

You're doing well, keep up the great work.
 

[drad98]

Thanks ynneb,
I dont plan on putting a router in it but I built it heavy enough so I can upgrade to that if and probably when I decide to. For right now it should move the plasma torch fine but i will find out shortly, it is a 750 oz stepper on both x and y stages and a 425 for the z. Thanks again for the input.

[jeep534]

Cool,
    Looks like something I would like to build....... how do I / WE get more info.
Thanks for shareing
archie =) =) =)

[Chaoticone]

Looking good. The one thing I see that I don't like is the chain.


Brett

[drad98]

Well, as far as plans go I just built it using the plans in my head, I can get some info up on what i used for parts. This is my first attempt at a cnc machine, I have zero experience. Brett, what would u suggest instead of a chain, it is adjustable  but I do notice a little backlash but it is very minimal right now, I expect more as everything 'wears in'. I have put a pencil in it and it will draw at a pretty close tolerance, more then I need for the application I plan on using it for. It is going to be used mostly for signs. Thanks for the input, keep it coming.
Dave

[Chaoticone]

Hey Dave,
    I'd try to replace the chain with a timing belt. These folks could help with the components.

http://www.sdp-si.com/

Brett

[drad98]

OK, here are a few bits of info on the table, like i said this is my first design so I wanted to be able to buy everything 'off the shelf' so it is easy to get parts. First of all the frame is 3" x 3" x 1/8" steel tube, I used 1" x 1" x 1/8" angle for the slat supports and the slats are 3" x 1/8" flat steel (cheap to replace). The table is 5' y (gantry) and 6' x inside measurements, gives me plenty of room for a 4' x 4' sheet. I squared and trued the table. The linear slides are from www.igus.com Drylin T for the x axis and Drylin W for the y and z axis, those are the most expensive parts for the machine. I used a fixed slide on the motor side and a floating slide for the other side, per the igus rep. I then used 1/2 plywood to 'mock' up the gantry sides to get all the placements right then machined then out of 12" x 12" x 1/2" steel and welded them to the gantry crossmember which is 2" x 6" x 1/8" steel. All the motors (2 - RHT34-740 oz/in (x and y) and 1 RHT34-425 oz/in for the z), Gecko g201 controllers, and all the power supply parts i ordered from www.homeshopcnc.com. The drive belts and pulleys and misc bearings are all from McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). Like i said this is my first attempt so I hope it works out, if not there is always rework!!! Hope I didn't miss anything, if so just let me know. Hope to have it cutting this weekend. All said and done, I should have about $2500-$2800 into it, that includes a cheap computer I got at Wal-Mart, didn't want anything fancy, I also Powdercoat and I get dust ALL over!! When it is all done I get to tear it all apart and Powdercoat the whole thing, gonna be hard to do when it is working Well, thanks for listening to me ramble, hope this is good info for anyone who in interested in a cheap table.
Dave

[Chaoticone]

Hey Dave, sounds and looks like you are allmost there. Looking good. Keep us posted.


Brett

[drad98]

Got the z on tonight, had to come in and get the pinout on the stepper, seems I had a phase or 2 wired backwards. Ill throw the pic in anyways.
Dave