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Thread: CNC Plasma State of Play
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9th Aug 2020, 08:37 PM #1Diamond Member
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CNC Plasma State of Play
Recently got me a new plasma cutter that does a respectable cut up to 20mm, and has a machine torch available as an option, which has started me thinking about CNC. Any experience out there with a kit or DIY setup?
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9th Aug 2020, 09:16 PM #2Most Valued Member
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Watching with interest.
Which machine did you get?
Steve
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10th Aug 2020, 02:39 PM #3Diamond Member
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One of these things:
https://swswelding.com.au/collection...31806570070064
Only downside with it so far is that the cooling fan seems to come on based on a thermostat, but never turns off, even when the machine must have cooled off. And it's a noisy little bugger.
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10th Aug 2020, 04:25 PM #4Most Valued Member
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Thanks. I've seen those online recently and thought they looked good (and CNC ready).
Be interesting to hear what SWS have to say about the fan. I'd be surprised if that wasn't being controlled by firmware.
Might also be an opportunity to float CNC with them in case they have feedback from other users they can share.
Mate of mine has just ordered a TIG from them. He's mainly doing prototype work, but the guy who does any production alloy welding for him has one and is very happy with it.
I've no personal experience, but got excited a while back and had did quite a bit of online "investigation" into CNC plasma.
For my own situation I'd definitely want a water table or really good fume extraction, and think I'd probably get away with a 600x600 travel machine as long as it had the ability to overhang a larger sheet if necessary.
Seemed that torch height control was very desirable too.
The nature of plasma cutters (compared to routers etc) seems to cause a fair few interference issues that can drive you berserk trying to track down if haven't got good shielding and control boards etc.
Steve
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10th Aug 2020, 06:05 PM #5Gear expert in training
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When we first got our CNC router at my old work, the welder a couple of factories down on the same property (common supply) was wreaking havoc on it with power spikes. We installed a solar panel system shortly after and that fixed it (dunno what exactly it did, but it worked), but definitely worth looking into options for isolating/smoothing the power supply.
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10th Aug 2020, 08:20 PM #6Diamond Member
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They reckon it should turn off after 10 minutes if it's cool enough, which could be true - I'll need to check that next time it's fired up.
Mate of mine has just ordered a TIG from them. He's mainly doing prototype work, but the guy who does any production alloy welding for him has one and is very happy with it.
For my own situation I'd definitely want a water table or really good fume extraction, and think I'd probably get away with a 600x600 travel machine as long as it had the ability to overhang a larger sheet if necessary.
Seemed that torch height control was very desirable too.
CNC seems pretty straightforward these days with lots of essentially turnkey components - I have a 6040 CNC router where there's probably only a handful of custom components (i.e. the gantry ends).
I'll ask SWS about CNC options. There's also a local bunch who do CNC kits - 3dtek - but they didn't respond to my inquiry
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31st Dec 2020, 04:32 PM #7Most Valued Member
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Hey Rusty - did you ever get any further with this?
Steve
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31st Dec 2020, 09:15 PM #8Diamond Member
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2nd Jan 2021, 02:43 PM #9Most Valued Member
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Haha - I know that feeling!
What surprises me a bit is the lack of DIY plasma table kits locally. Plenty of CNC routers, but I’ve only seen a couple of plasma ones.
Out of interest I did the online quote thing for a 1200x1200 PlasmaCAM setup. Around $28k...
I’m guessing even getting something like a Langmuir Crossfire ex USA would still run close to $5k
Below that there doesn’t seem to be much other than rolling your own from scratch. Less dollars, but LOTS more time.
Steve
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8th Jan 2021, 09:14 AM #10Senior Member
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From my research it would seem that CNC plasma is not for the faint hearted! The plasma produces an enormous amount of electrical noise that causes havoc if effective shielding is not consider up front. Avid CNC makes a range of "roll your own" systems that appear to be popular in the US although I am not aware of an Australian distributor (I have bought some items from Avid CNC and their customer service is exceptional but even they bemoaned the cost of shipping to Australia). There are plenty of builds on YouTube but they generally lack the detail required (I do like Stefan Cymbaluk builds but he hasn't done any videos for about a year). Rod W (Brisbane based) has provided an excellent write up of his build - search for "rod's spaceship cnc plasma".
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11th Jan 2021, 09:25 AM #11Member
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Here is a video I did just before Christmas showing file creation and cutting on my CNC plasma
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dUm5VYdV1c
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12th Jan 2021, 01:22 PM #12Most Valued Member
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Thanks Greolt. What machine do you have - a commercial one or did you build your own?
Steve
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12th Jan 2021, 01:58 PM #13Member
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12th Jan 2021, 08:11 PM #14Most Valued Member
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I’d be really keen to see a few photos and hear your thoughts on the build. Things that worked well, or that you’d do differently with the benefit of hindsight.
Steve
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12th Jan 2021, 10:37 PM #15Most Valued Member
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Thanks for the Video Greg, was it built from scratch or come as a kit?? Also if it's not too personal, what did it set you back dollar wise??
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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