My 4X4 table build

[Bigtoy302]

After many months or reading and researching I am finally ready to start building a plasma table. So here are the specs.
48.5"X48.5" travel
water tank
369oz steppers
dual drives on the y
Gecko 201 stepper controllers
20 degree 20 pitch rack and pinion
3.75:1 gear reduction
Hiwin 15mm LG rails on the Y and Z
THK HSR25mm rail on the x
CandCNC Digital THC
Mach 3 control.
Hypertherm 1000

The Table will be made from 3x3x.125 square tube so I started milling the cross pieces for the table square and held .001 on length.


Then I started drilling and tapping the holes for the 25mm rail for the gantry.



Next I started on the Z. The Z is .188 HR plate and 15mm Hiwin rails. It will have 6" of travel. The single rail will be used for the floating head for the torch.

[DRL]

Looking good so far. Thanks for taking us along for your build.
DRL

[millman52]

Welcome to the journey. Judging by your having access to a horizontal boring mill. I'd suspect you have access to all the other machine tools, Lathe(s), Milling machine(s), etc to produce a very fine & detailed Plasma table.

Why the small size?

[Bigtoy302]

Originally Posted by millman52 Why the small size?

I was going to build a 4x8 but I just don't have the shop space and I don't really need anything bigger right now. I know I will kick myself later when I need bigger, but I will build another if it comes down to it.

Oh, I am a Manual machinist in a huge machine shop, so I have access to all the cool machines.

[millman52]

I sort of figured space must be an issue. Other than that it just doesn't cost that much more to go bigger. You might want to try & leave 1 end of the table bolt together. That way if you later want to expand to 8' or even longer length it can easily be done.

It sucks not to have enough room for at least a 4 X 8. That way sheets od stock are economical & you don't first either have to have them sheared in 1/2 or cut them down yourself first.

[lamicron]

Good to have a new build again!!! Fine start too, paint it while building , after done you´ll not want to take it appart ....

[millman52]

Hey Lamicron, Hows your machine running? Sold it yet? Building another?

[lamicron]

Hi Rich! Yes I sold it!!! And sold another 2!! Now Im building two 4x8 and one 4x4 for me, and also one router 4x4, i´m waiting to have the material tomorrow. MAybe start a thread with one of those...´One will be a water table for plasma and a router, i ´ll build it with a rapid table change.
Luis

[lamicron]

Rich, where did you buy your pulleys? I need 3:1 pack. and belts. Can you help me with part numbers?
Thanks
Luis

[millman52]

Originally Posted by lamicron Rich, where did you buy your pulleys? I need 3:1 pack. and belts. Can you help me with part numbers? Thanks Luis

Luis rather than keeping Bigtoy's thread hijacked. Start a build log in: Plasma, EDM and other similar machine Project Log & pm me the link to it or I'll find as I'm on practically every day. I'll look for the information & get back to you there later.

Neil

[lamicron]

Sorry for that, you are rigth.
Luis

[Bigtoy302]

I got a little bit more done today. I got the Y rail holes drilled and tapped, then I welded the frame all together. I still need to weld a sheet on the bottom to form the water tank.



the welds


holes for the rails.