plasma cnc to router / laser

[iainc]

Hello There,
I recently bought a second hand cnc plasma cutter with the intention of setting it up in my studio to cut profiles for my sculptures.
The first problem I came up with was that the Plasma cutter is not single phase.. To go to single phase where I live will cost me in the region of £2,500.
So I thought that I would look into putting another cutting head onto the machine and very quickly realised that I was out of my depth.
I would Ideally like to bolt on a laser head as I have been using an epilogue laser for the past 5 years and found it to be adequate.
Alternatively I could bolt on a router but as I say I am really out of my depth.

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers Iain:

confused:

[iainc]

Sorry, I should have said that I am happy to cut acrylic shhet or wood with this machine.

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by iainc Sorry, I should have said that I am happy to cut acrylic shhet or wood with this machine.

Post a few photos of the existing plasma head/gantry and you'll get more replies with potential solutions. Why not just modify the plasma mount so it can hold a router?

CarveOne

[iainc]

Here are a couple of images.

The plasma cutter is a pac50xl. It do'es have an option to switch to single phase but the single phase I have is 240v and plasma cutter seems to be an american import.
208/230 V

Obviously if I can get this plasma machine working I'd be happy with that.

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by iainc Here are a couple of images. The plasma cutter is a pac50xl. It do'es have an option to switch to single phase but the single phase I have is 240v and plasma cutter seems to be an american import. 208/230 V Obviously if I can get this plasma machine working I'd be happy with that.

Those are very small size images, but it looks like a new mount can be made or purchased for laser or router uses without redesigning the machine itself.

Is your AC line 50 or 60Hz? Commonly available American line voltages are 120vac and 240vac single phase, 60Hz.

CarveOne

[iainc]

The plasma is 60hz
Hope these pics give you a better idea of the machine.

[CarveOne]

Yes, those photos are much better. Looking at photo number one it looks like you just need a different mount to attach to the Z axis slide assembly.

Not sure what to say about 3 phase to single phase power for it.

CarveOne

[TSJ]

Why not get a rotary phase converter. It will convert 230V single phase to 230V three phase. There are lots of three phase converters, do a search in google and buy one or there are the plans to make one.