New Machine Build- D.I.Y. 5'X8' Plasma Table Build

[rtsplace]

Hello All, First time builder, would like to thank Ron at Precision Plasma for his answers to my countless questions during my reseach phase of this project. And the Gandtry Kit a 5'X8' with the faster Z screw. Tom at CandCNC for the controls he set me up with the BladeRunner A/O Dragon Cut Plasma Pak-620 motors. Which brings me to where I'm at in the build process, Table was made according to Ron's prints (which I morifed two different sizes to get my 5'X8' ). Sent the table out for powder coating nice bright saftey orange, (thanks Extreme Powder Coatings) that came back just before Christmas. I went with 2 S.S. water pans 4'X5' as I couldn't find a shop to do it in one for a reasonable price or that could get sheet stock to make it in one. Eventually will have the drains and a way to refill at the touch of a button or valve. As you can see from the pictures I'm waiting on cable carriers and to finish the set up of the controls, I do have motion on all axis. Thanks for looking...............Ray

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Looks great. I would also like to build one. My problem is I know NOTHING about cnc motors, drivers etc. As far as welding and fabrication been doing it for over 25 years. My question is does someone offer a package with motore cotrolers power supply that will work together?
Any help will be usefull. Where did you get your plans?

[rtsplace]

Good Morning, The people I mentioned in the post have all the infromation you need. Ron at Prcision Plasma has the Gantry Kits and blue prints for the table ( ronald@chacich.com ). Tom at Cand CNC has the controls and motors
(tom@CandCNC.com ). They both can answer your questions and help you do your home work before buying. I to have good mechcanical skills and very basic or simple electronic understandings. I have over 30 years as a designer and machinist.
Good Luck...........Ray

[rtsplace]

I'm back, more updates and pictures : Have the e tracks in, home limits in and working, S.S. water pans,with drain and forming tool for the drain and the slats.
Next I'm trying to setup the DTHC, hope it goes well, also thinking about a 60 gal water heater tank to use for water storage under the table, then use air pressure to pump back up to the pans though the drains, should only take less than 2 psi. Any thoughts any buddy ?
Thanks for looking rtsplace

[plain ol Bill]

It doesn't take a lot of pressure to move the water but the more pressure the faster it will fill for you. I hit mine with full 90# line pressure to push the water up. Just keep an eye on the water level with your hand on the on/off ball valve to prevent a tsunami (don't ask how I figured this out - OK)
Nice looking build - take a few pics of the gantry system for all of us. I'm curious, what determined your table size requirements?

[rtsplace]

Morning Bill, I live close to a steel plant and I can get drops that are 60" wide sometimes over 48" long so at srcap prices I wanted take advanage of that. When it's up and running I would like to do long items driveway gates and arches over the driveways. What did you use for a water tank ? Been looking for any kind of tank old air compressor, electric water heaters.
Thanks Ray

[plain ol Bill]

Wish I were lucky enough to live close to a steel plant and get drops like that. Ray I built my own water table enclosure into the overall design of the table. My build can be seen at http://www.cnczone.com/forums/plasma...10_plasma.html

[rtsplace]

Morning Bill, Sweet looking machine, nice heavy duty shop and equipment. Knife maker interesting, I make surgical instruments and OR accessories.I'm running 1250 hypertherm when it's done. Do you have a finished picture of it ? I'll be finishing my second pan and slats this weekend, so I'll be waiting on a tank of some sort, leaning toward an old air compressor. I'll get some pictures of my gantry posted. I see from your dates you were building a few years ago, it hasn't gotten any easier to post more pictures. I just added a second post to my first post last weekend it was the thing I could figure out. I would like to build a gantry in my shop too to handle heavy sheets, for now that's why I put caster on the table so I can pull it out in the middle and use my bobcat to load for now.
Take care ..........Ray

[rtsplace]

Hello All, It's been a while since my last update, it was harder finding tanks than I thought, and plumbing had it's own issues too. Heres a few pictures of tanks in place, pan filling and the regulator set at 5 psi, 2 psi worked as well just impatient. Tanks were used from an on-line auction, salvage from a boiler system 30 gal. each, so I pressure tested to 25 psi no problem, then sand blasted by the painter and found pin hole, welded and painted. The coolant is GreenCut, Now I just have to fine tune the setup for cutting.
Thanks for looking...........Ray

[plain ol Bill]

Nice looking job Ray. How long does it take to fill the table? Swing by a Horrible Fright store and get one of their magnets on an extendible handle. You will find that a really handy tool.

[rtsplace]

Hello All, First complete part to come off the table, man is there a long learning curve to run these tables and all the set ups, But it's starting to come together.
Ray

[Zygoat]

looks pretty darn good.