Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: October 08, 2019, 01:10:50 PM »

Joe I hope I didn't strike a nerve, just trying to understand why I would need the BOB. Your first reply seemed to be just for hooking up other items. That why I did not see why I need a BOB. Not saying I wont use one just trying to understand why I need one. Also the stepper drivers I will be using have i/o protection so that should help.

Also am I correct in assuming the mb3 that you mentioned wont work with the THC without a bunch of extra wiring?

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: October 08, 2019, 06:48:05 AM »

Joe, pardon my ignorance but do I really need a bob and why? If I have ribbon cable cant I just go from the ESS/thc to the stepper drivers?

The c10s is cheap but I think I like the MB3 more.
The MB3 appears to use the headers that the THC will need, how would I use both together? I like the look and format of the mb3 better just not sure it will work with the THC.

I am very familiar with relays and micro controllers 5v relays are pretty easy to get now with the pi being around. I actually have several realy boards with 8 to 16 relays on them that are 5v signal controlled.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: October 07, 2019, 06:33:46 PM »

So I have been digging and I have a list of major components that I need to buy. This does not include things like the limit switch or E-stop relays but please take a look and let me know what you think. Am I missing hardware? Am I missing any plugins that need to be paid for? Its attached in an excel document.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: September 27, 2019, 06:49:36 AM »

The vital systems  is out of my price range for the controller. I am looking into the ESS thanks for that. I like their documentation much better than the Prokeys. The T3CM is more expensive than I thought it would be but still should be able to keep it in budget with it, which is about $1500 for software and all. Still reading up but from what I gather the t3CM is where you hook your torch up to then into the ESS and that controls it all right, height and burn?

Next is stepper drivers, reading up on those this weekend on better brands etc. Like I said I already decided on Mach 4 need to decide on which sheet cam type software I am going to go with. I need something that is pretty user friendly, me and my buddy are pretty good with computer use but another guy that's going to use it will need point and click.

I think the most difficult part for me is going to be figuring the gear ratios and steps per mm of the existing setup. Will be fun.

5

General Mach Discussion / CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: September 26, 2019, 06:20:42 PM »

Hello everyone I am new here. A friend of mine just purchased a 4x8 plasma table without controls. The table brand is a burntable but the previous owner wanted to keep his controls. Since I have messed with CNC in the past along with 3d printers and other similar things I have been charged with building the controllers etc. My fee is use of the table on occasion. 

SO where am I right now, I have a table, gantry, with steppers for x,y,z, no stepper drivers, no controller, no software and apparently no limit switches. We do have hypertherm 65 & 85 plasma machines but will have to purchase a torch for the table. And I have enough extra computers around that I could run Either windows, linux or both. The steppers I have are basically these here. https://www.probotix.com/CNC-CONTROL-SYSTEMS/CNC-CONTROLLER/3-Axis-Monster-Hybrid-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Kit

I am pretty sure that I am going to get Mach 4 and want to make sure I am looking at the proper controllers. I have been looking at the PoKeys57CNC for my controller but have read a few things that I am not so sure about the support and reliability on. Anyone have any input on the pokeys system or alternatives. If I get the Pokeys my major question is where do I hook up the torch set up. The motors, stepper drivers and all that is pretty self explanatory but the torch I am kind of lost on. In 3d printing it would be considered an extruder kind of.  Then I was looking at the plasmasense thc from prolabs but have also read about issues and that there are better ones.

Any thoughts and guidance is appreciated. This is only day 2 of my research so anything helps.