Plasma Table Build Log Including Free Plans Link, & Pictures by Weldtutor

[Weldtutor]

These photos give an overview of what the table & gantry is starting to look like.

The 2nd. shows the back side of the gantry with the Y axis carriage sitting in place.

[Weldtutor]

The Z axis will be of the "floating" variety.

This puts an upward lifting load on the Y axis. If routing was the application for a design of this type, similar vertical movement would tend to take place.

An adjustable "anti lift" bearing as shown on the back side of the Y axis carriage is the solution used here.

[Weldtutor]

The first photo shows the front side of the Y axis.

Photo 2 is a close-up of the Y carriage & the 3 axis rails used.

[mlaws1172]

These pictures shows what happens when you give a master builder some metal.
mike

[Weldtutor]

Thanks for the kind words Mike.

A satellite dish was the donor for a lead screw & brass nut.

This one had a 20:1 speed reducer attached that is likely a bit too much for any of the 3 axis on this machine.

Second photo shows the Z axis carriage with the brass nut located within it.

[Weldtutor]

Belt drive mechanism is shown in 1st photo.

Control box shown has an arc start relay at top left & linisteppers at top right.

Two power supplies, with a 12V unit at lower left.

Sample cuts. Eagle about 7" wide .250" thick.
Biker 15" wide 14 ga.

[trubleshtr]

looks good, anymore pics of the whole machine together? how do you actuate the trigger on your plasma gun?

[Weldtutor]

Hi Trublshtr & all,
I'm just a bit farther along on the project than the pictures shown back in post #15.

The Z axis is almost completed now. I'll try to add a picture of it later, or was there some detail you wanted to see better?

Electronics, motors, mechanical cable drives etc. have yet to be added.

A relay will actuate the gun trigger circuit to initiate the arc.

[Weldtutor]

This photo shows the Z axis carriage mounted on it's guide rails.

The torch mounting plate is at the bottom

[Weldtutor]

The Dog (Greyhound Variety) brought a nice shiny Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 to me over the weekend.
This delivery was made possible by the co-operation of 2 fellow CNC Zone members.
Thanks guys!

[trubleshtr]

NICE, now your making me jelaous

[Weldtutor]

Originally Posted by trubleshtr NICE, now your making me jelaous

Sorry, I really didn't mean to make you feel that way!
Maybe if you click on the picture of the plasma machine, then expand it to full size, it will seem like the machine is going to jump out of your monitor & into your shop.

It sure would look nice sitting by that machine of yours with the great rails! (DROOL, DROOL)
WT