Hey guys im looking at building a small CNC plasma table

im looking for a cutting space of 2' x 3'
wondering if any one has simple indepth plans
and good advice

any advice would be great thanx
-Clint

Check out some of the posts on the DIY Wood routers forum, Same basic design only you don't wan to make it out of MDF :). Probably make a moving gantry style system which is what just about every cnc plasma cutter uses. I'm not sure what else to tell you. Check Ebay for ideas.

Carl

ok awesome thanx
-Clint

I saw an interesting design at a trade show in LA a few weeks ago. It has the normal frame made out of steel beams but the motion system used a rack and pinion instead of expensive ballscrews and friction producing leadscrews. I don't think that it will have the accuracy of the above-mentioned devices but it will definetely be cheap!

you dont happen to have any links or pics do you
or know any other machines that have simalar systems

I'll look through my "show info" and see what I can find
-Tei

thank you very much

if you get onto ESAB's website they should have some picks of their system. We've got one at the college that I go to. It uses a rack and pinion setup and actually it's fairly accurate if it is set up right. I mean give or take a thou or two with a new cutting tip thats nothing that a grinder can't clean up. There is also a 4' by 4' system on ebay that uses a rack and pinion set up. That kind of setup will work just fine considering you don't have a lot of the forces associated with a router.

Carl

thank you for your help Carl i will take alook at thoes suggestions