5' X 12' CNC Plasma Table

[diyengineer]

Your machine is AMAZING! Totally in love with it. A few question, why are your consumable metal slats that support the pieces to be cut radiused slightly (buy like that or did you roll them)? Is that so the x/y tables cuts them less when it moves left to right because they would be directly inline? Also, how much of a "waterbed" is needed? could one get away with a 1" water bed?

My machine is going to be made out of 80/20 (frame). I will have to think of a way to insert the steel supports and have them removable so when they need replaced.

As far as your Z axis, how does it zero out on the material? I saw a "floating" design, but didn't know if that was junk or not.
http://cncpartskit.com/plasma_floating_head.htm

You have the same Z axis on your machine from K2, as i have on my router. its very accurate and has worked well.

Thanks for your time!!!

[diyengineer]

In reference to the steel consumable supports, How thin could one go? 1/8-1/4"? material? also, how deep does the bed of water have to be? Can it be 1" deep? Underneath my water table will be aluminum 80/20 supports for the table. I need to know what is the safe distance so that my structure never gets cut, or heats up.

[I Lean]

In reference to the steel consumable supports, How thin could one go? 1/8-1/4"? material? also, how deep does the bed of water have to be? Can it be 1" deep? Underneath my water table will be aluminum 80/20 supports for the table. I need to know what is the safe distance so that my structure never gets cut, or heats up.

My slats are 1/8" x 2.75". No problems, but I think when these need to be replaced I'll go thinner next time.

My water is 3" deep, depending on evaporation. I've cut with it at probably 1.5" or so, and I could see the air was blowing all the water away and reaching the bottom--so definitely go deeper than 1". (it didn't make any marks on my 14ga. bottom, but still...)

[diyengineer]

what is the max IPM that i will ever probably cut with a hypertherm in any material/thickness size? Just would like to know a max so i can start designing around that.

[diyengineer]

CNC Routers, Routers for Wood, Routers for Plastic and CNC Plasma Cutter

This would be really nice since it would all bolt together. X axis is only 70 ipm though, and the usable is only 42" wide... tempted but i wouldnt be able to load a 48" wide sheet in which would be reallly annoying.. i sent them an email to ask if i can pay more to get the full usable width. Prolly to expensive, but figured id inquire.

[diyengineer]

If i wanted to add on a small engraver so that i could mark bend lines, what would i need to do additionally?

[Tensaiteki]

what is the max IPM that i will ever probably cut with a hypertherm in any material/thickness size? Just would like to know a max so i can start designing around that.

The Hypertherm manuals are available online from the Hypertherm website. The manuals list the reccomended cutting speeds for a wide range of materials.

CNC Routers, Routers for Wood, Routers for Plastic and CNC Plasma Cutter

This would be really nice since it would all bolt together. X axis is only 70 ipm though, and the usable is only 42" wide... tempted but i wouldnt be able to load a 48" wide sheet in which would be reallly annoying.. i sent them an email to ask if i can pay more to get the full usable width. Prolly to expensive, but figured id inquire.

With the exception of the Z-axis, leadscrews do not work well for plasma tables. It is next to impossible to spin them fast enough to get the required speeds for good cuts. So far, the only time I've cut at less than 70 IPM is cutting 1/2" steel and thicker. Thin stuff likes high speeds, usually 200 IPM and up.

If i wanted to add on a small engraver so that i could mark bend lines, what would i need to do additionally?

Try searching through the older build threads. I know several people have added plate markers/engravers.

[diyengineer]

Thank you very much. I have started to build the frame in solidworks out of 80/20 aluminum extrusion. Should have pictures and models loaded up in a few days. As far as the steel slats, what is the generic slat size and material? Also how the heck do they put the slight curve in the steel. Is it just so long that it will bend freely a hair to make it looked curved?

Does the water usually come up to the top of the steel slats or half way? I need to make a waterpan out of something, unsure of what i will use.

The Hypertherm manuals are available online from the Hypertherm website. The manuals list the reccomended cutting speeds for a wide range of materials.



With the exception of the Z-axis, leadscrews do not work well for plasma tables. It is next to impossible to spin them fast enough to get the required speeds for good cuts. So far, the only time I've cut at less than 70 IPM is cutting 1/2" steel and thicker. Thin stuff likes high speeds, usually 200 IPM and up.



Try searching through the older build threads. I know several people have added plate markers/engravers.

[I Lean]

Thank you very much. I have started to build the frame in solidworks out of 80/20 aluminum extrusion. Should have pictures and models loaded up in a few days. As far as the steel slats, what is the generic slat size and material? Also how the heck do they put the slight curve in the steel. Is it just so long that it will bend freely a hair to make it looked curved?

Does the water usually come up to the top of the steel slats or half way? I need to make a waterpan out of something, unsure of what i will use.

My slats are 1/8" x 2.75" flat bar. It seems to me like 1/8" x 3" is pretty common, though I know of people using anything from 14 gauge slats to 3/16" slats.

The curve can be done just by sizing the slats a bit too long. Mine are 1" longer than the table, plus I have a center slat support to keep them all even.

My table is made from 2x4 rectangular tube, with a 14 gauge bottom to form the water pan. I'd go a little deeper if I were to redo it. I can adjust the water level to above the top of the slats if I want to, but haven't seen the need yet.

[diyengineer]

My slats are 1/8" x 2.75" flat bar. It seems to me like 1/8" x 3" is pretty common, though I know of people using anything from 14 gauge slats to 3/16" slats.

The curve can be done just by sizing the slats a bit too long. Mine are 1" longer than the table, plus I have a center slat support to keep them all even.

My table is made from 2x4 rectangular tube, with a 14 gauge bottom to form the water pan. I'd go a little deeper if I were to redo it. I can adjust the water level to above the top of the slats if I want to, but haven't seen the need yet.

What spacing did you use when it came to the slats? 6" ?

[diyengineer]

My slats are 1/8" x 2.75" flat bar. It seems to me like 1/8" x 3" is pretty common, though I know of people using anything from 14 gauge slats to 3/16" slats.

The curve can be done just by sizing the slats a bit too long. Mine are 1" longer than the table, plus I have a center slat support to keep them all even.

My table is made from 2x4 rectangular tube, with a 14 gauge bottom to form the water pan. I'd go a little deeper if I were to redo it. I can adjust the water level to above the top of the slats if I want to, but haven't seen the need yet.

What spacing did you use when it came to the slats, 6"? Trying to think of a way to hold the flatbar with 80/20 aluminum brackets so i can bolt and go.

[I Lean]

What spacing did you use when it came to the slats? 6" ?

Mine are 1.5" apart. It's nice for smaller pieces, so they don't fall through....but is worse for larger ones. Especially Aluminum...since the slats seem to create dross on the bottom of the AL.