CNC Plasma torch?

[david01130]

I am designing a CNC Plasma cutter but do not feel like spending over $1k on a machine held torch. Any cheaper alternatives? Any suggestions on how to support and trigger a hand held torch?

[outofoperation]

Cheap solution:


More cheap:

[david01130]

Thanks for the pictures thats what I am looking for

[Torchhead]

If you are going to fire the torch from the PC/control all it takes is a simple relay and a couple of Scotchlok wire taps. You just put the relay contacts in parallel with the switch wires that come from the hand torch. Locating the switch wires is pretty easy and with the ScotchLoc you don't have to cut or splice wires. Then either switch will activate the torch. All the switch does on the hand torch is short across to logic level inputs on the plasma internal control boards. Any good THC solution will have the relay built into the interface card and have instructions on how to connect to most plasma units including hand torch models.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com