Hi all, this is a great forum I've been browsing around looking for ideas for quite some time. I have just come across a used Piecemaker (ESAB?) plasma table for sale it's from 1989. It's about 6.5' x 13' cutting area and it has an old controller with it.

Does anybody have one of these or know anything about them? I haven't contacted anybody at ESAB yet; I don't have high hopes about getting info from them about this unit. The only model numbers I can find are on the table manual it says F14-027 in a couple places and the controller is a L-TEC Series 810.

I am wondering about the precision and accuracy this machine can carry, and about the speed at which it can operate.

It's being offered with an ESAB PCM-1125 that only says 3 phase on the tag I also wonder if this can be set up to run on single phase.

Even if you don't know these machines let me know what you think about the design.

If anyone can help that would be great!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015177.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015183.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015178.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015178.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015182.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015182.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015186.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015187.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015190.jpg


Thanks,


Chester

Get in touch with Esab. Here is the contact info:

Call our Product Information & Support Line anytime:
1-800-ESAB-123
(1-800-372-2123)

Welding & Cutting Equipment
P.O. Box 100545
411 South Ebenezer Rd.
Florence, SC 29501-0545
Phone: (843)-669-4411
Fax: (843)-664-4258


Cutting Systems
P.O. Box 100545
411 South Ebenezer Rd.
Florence, SC 29501-0545
Phone: (843)-664-4394
Fax: (843)-664-4403


Filler Metals
801 Wilson Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone:(717)-637-8911
Fax: (717)-637-9859

WOW what a find! Wish i could find one like that close to me in the US.

Well hello fellow l-teck owner.... Yes they do work and well.... I have mine up and running but am finding the controls antiquated and weird. Uses G30 and G31's and bazaar M-codes to start and stop the torch. But I am making parts with manual g-code programing. Did yours come with a plasma cutter?

I also have a full set of manuals if you need them. I am in the process of trying find a Mastercam post processor myself. How have you faired so fair?

Steve T.


Hi all, this is a great forum I've been browsing around looking for ideas for quite some time. I have just come across a used Piecemaker (ESAB?) plasma table for sale it's from 1989. It's about 6.5' x 13' cutting area and it has an old controller with it.

Does anybody have one of these or know anything about them? I haven't contacted anybody at ESAB yet; I don't have high hopes about getting info from them about this unit. The only model numbers I can find are on the table manual it says F14-027 in a couple places and the controller is a L-TEC Series 810.

I am wondering about the precision and accuracy this machine can carry, and about the speed at which it can operate.

It's being offered with an ESAB PCM-1125 that only says 3 phase on the tag I also wonder if this can be set up to run on single phase.

Even if you don't know these machines let me know what you think about the design.

If anyone can help that would be great!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015177.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015183.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015178.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015178.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015182.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015182.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015186.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015187.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ccotter_671/Piecemaker/P1015190.jpg


Thanks,


Chester

Hi Steve, the machine is up for sale and I am just a potential buyer. I am trying to learn about it before making any offers. Supposedly this machine comes with some kind of program which will convert mastercam files to the proper G/M code. It does come with an ESAB plasma, although the plasma cutter itself is 3 phase so it's not useful to me. I am trying to find out if it can be converted to single phase. The plasma table and controller is single phase.

Do you have any idea how precise and accurate these setups are?

Thanks,


Chester.

Chester, here are a few points to note..

1. With only one x axis driving motor you do get some back lash at the far end 1/32" or so thermal expansion is a bigger problem by far.
2 At some speeds the far end can also shimmy, I think it has something to do with the older servo drivers and feedback adjustments.
3. Y axis also has limited back due to multiple belts
4. Control is not intuitive assumes you are using tape. Top download speed is slow at 2400 baud. I not sure about max program size.
5. Hi Frequency plasma requires special grounding, expect to drive 4 ground rods.
6. The size is a big plus. My plan to use mine to cut out park scale railroad riding cars.
7. I offered $2500 for mine, They were asking $4,000 including and older plasma cutter.
8. The g & M codes are very weird and non standard. No GO instead you add a R to the ends of G2 and G3, no G91-G9, instead you uses G31 & G32. M codes includes torch on/off and kerf right/left. Just the minimum.

I would kill to a get a copy of the post processor, (there special program) and review it for you. Check out its functionality on my machine. Otherwise you will hand coding parts...

If it can be had at a good price and the special program works "I of course would need to test it first ;~)."

I would go for it...



Hi Steve, the machine is up for sale and I am just a potential buyer. I am trying to learn about it before making any offers. Supposedly this machine comes with some kind of program which will convert mastercam files to the proper G/M code. It does come with an ESAB plasma, although the plasma cutter itself is 3 phase so it's not useful to me. I am trying to find out if it can be converted to single phase. The plasma table and controller is single phase.

Do you have any idea how precise and accurate these setups are?

Thanks,


Chester.