looking at this machine (chinnese) Ithink is a good idea to support the gantry only from one side, that leaves 3 sides to load the machine,
Anyone with any experience with this kind of machines?
Luis

If anyone want to see this machine working go to: http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w...smacutting.flv

Sorry, the link was wrong, try this: http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w100/thehorse01/?action=view&current=miniCNCCuttingmachine-plasmacutting.flv

How much is it?

The one in the video looks like it has a small servo driving the Z for height control.

The one in your pic does not. Interesting idea.

Greg

The video machine is the new one, it has heigth control, looking at this machine I think in a CNC plasma table, the support can be made from one side only( as the torch has not much weigth),the question is , if in the fast turns, squares , the arm will not shake.One good thing is the 3 sides free to upload the plates,
LUIS

The price is about $5000 , 4' x 8'.

Uhmm... for a 4x8 machine you will need a 8x8 space to set up this cnc not good for small shops.

Anyone with any experience with this kind of machines?
Luis

This amounts to the same principle of converted Trace Cutting machines, The torch is canti-levered over the table, as Morzapa pointed out, the down side is twice the floor space for width, the up side is the table is clear of the gantry for the load side.
Al.

Besides the problem mentioned by Al above, another consideration is the " bounce" or "diving board" effect at the outer torch end of the suspension arm.
This problem would be increased the greater the distance the torch is from the track, dirt in the track, & sudden movement or stops.
It would be difficult for the THC to compensate for the vibratory type of shake.:(
Clamp a 4 foot long bar to a work bench, pluck the outer end, watch for vibration or check with a dial indicator.

Thanks for the comments, I haven't think about the possible bounce, I have a friend who mostly cuts 4'' to 6'' in thick steel plates, because of the weigth of the plate this machine will be fine for his job , he can take it to the plate, it only weigths 250 lbs.
Luis

new link for Video:
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w100/thehorse01/?action=view&current=CNCplasma.flv

It would be a fast & easy way to get going with plasma or ox/fuel I'd worry mainly about how durable & getting it repaired it a timly manner. Is the software propritary? Can you use readily avalible CAD/CAM software?

They use FASTCAM, the short version, I think they mean free version,