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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    12

    Default CNC Plasma Cutter.

    Designing and making a CNC Plasma cutter.

    At the designing stage at the moment.

    Was thinking i would post a few pic of my design.

    My table size is going to be 1m X 1m. Due to space requirements and most materials come in 1200mm lengths.

    Using Precision ground hardened 20mm Steel rails. That come supported by an aluminum base. On the X and Y axis

    425 Oz stepper motors to run both my X and Y axis. They run a 15tooth pulley direct drive to the belt. The belt is tensioned using 2 bearings either side of the pulley.

    The Working table will have water in it to stop the dust and hazardous gases put out by the plasma cutter.

    The Z axis, (Plasma torch height) Will be made using Linear bearings and a Ballscrew with a zero backlash nut installed.

    Here is my basic table and gantry layout.
    Attachment 126451


    Belt tensioner idea. (red line represents the belt)
    Attachment 126452

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Quindanning, WA
    Posts
    175

    Default

    I want one of these too.... I have been lurking on the CNC site for a while dreaming about the day.

    Are you going to use a torch height controller? I did see some packages from the states with the torch height controller, servo/steppers and the controllers whick looked quite good and got me thinking.

    How will the gantry arrangement run on the rails? are you using commercially available linear bearings or something you will make?

    do you have an idea of what its going to cost?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Yeah me too,I have been studying the Cnc Zone forum for what seam like ever.

    2 of my favorite DIY units.
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...light=DSC01141
    Great workmanship, and a good end product

    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57192
    Great belt design, Has been very helpful with questions. Belt works with zero to minute backlash.

    Im not to sure it i will go the Torch Height controller. i think i will just run the Z axis with 100mm of travel and control the torch height myself using Mach 3. eg set standards where you select your material thickness and it raises or lowers the torch height to the correct height. So have presets for 1.6, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12mm Thicknesses.

    This is alot cheaper and effective dont really see the reason for going to THC.

    My bearings will be 20mm Linear rails. They are commercially available.



    Here is an updated design of my Bracket for the gantry to bolt to bearings and the whole motor setup. (drawing right now)
    Attachment 126587



    I have worked out a rough cost. (rounding figures)

    4 X 1200mm 20mm Linear rail + bearings $280
    4 X stepper motors $200
    1 X power supply $80
    Gecko Driver $300
    Steel $150 (got abit in stock)
    Laser cut brackets (labor only) $100
    Belts and pulleys $200
    Dell Pc (ebay) $150
    control box (inc switches, wires, etc) $150
    Z axis, (made 300 Us) (Me 150) $150


    total $ 2000 inc a few (errors & Misc)
    Plasma cutter, You know that Upwards of $1500



    I looked into those ebay kits and the like. candcnc. They seamed to be very pricey.

    I trying to source all parts from locals but having to get gecko driver and maybe z axis from states.

    I figure if it blows out to $2500 so be it. It should be awesome and save me lots in getting laser brackets cut ever second week for different projects.

    Did lots of research on the drivers and breadboard. Found gecko do a Fantastic board with both in one for $300 Saves on lots of cabling etc. it will work straight away, plug and play. A lot less room for error like us novices. Its the gecko G54.

    Cheers mitchell

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