Johns 4x4 Plasmabot 4.0 Build Thread

[johndjmix]

Well, just getting started. Using tulsaturbo's 4.0 bracket kit. Everything is on order, except the candcnc which I will order tommorow. Just waiting for the rest of the parts to arrive.

I will be posting pics of the build.

[johndjmix]

Built the gantry, started on the table (Until i droped a 20 foot length of 2" sq tube on my toe an almost broke it. uhh!)



Gantry



Table


Im finding it very chalenging (aka a pain in the butt) to get everything level, square, and parallell...at exactly the same time. This seems to take the majority of the time in building the table.

--John

[bluesea]

nice, looks solid
do you use belt reduction?
is that T- 5 mm hollow tube?

[johndjmix]

Using 2x2 3/16 thick square tube. Not sure im going to go with the X and Y bearings riding directly on the 2x2, or using v-rails. The 2x2 I purchased is straight but seems to have varying OD which is making the gantry tight in some points and loose in others. I could go aluminum 2x2 but then i might as well just go V rail.

--John

[johndjmix]

Did family xmas last night, so had some time today to work on the table. Really just spent about a few house making every vertical leg exactly 36 inches, leveling the table, and putting in 2 of the 2x6 tubes for the water table. I used a digital level and made everything is EXACTLY 0 or 90 degrees, down to the 10th of a degree...i dont want any problems later in the build. I don't see people on here talking about spending that much time making everything perfectly level and straight, but i don't want to take any chances here.

[johndjmix]

Ordered my V rails today.

$23.81/foot for IVTAAG
$17.46/foot for IVTAAS

I got a feeling this is a bit higher than normal. Unfortunately EVERYTHING in Long Island NY costs WAY above national average prices. Usual markup here is MSRP plus 20%. But hey, at least they are ordered.

--John

[I Lean]

Since you ordered V-rails, what are you going to do with the brackets you already bought? (since you're basically changing to the Plasmabot 3.0, right?)

[johndjmix]

Ilean, correct. Have the 4.0 kit on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/300641481152

--John

[jeepsterjc]

Hello John,

Happy New Year!

I've been zooming through threads here on cnczone and found your build thread. I'll be buying parts to get going on a plasma cutter and water table in the next few days and have a few questions.

Why have you decided to go with the v-groove rather than the basic bearing on 2x2 for the y axis?

What are you going to use for hardware for Z and thc?

I had the Ultimate bot gantry page up and looking for "Add to Cart" then noticed it was out of stock. I started thinking and then added the basic to the cart instead. I'm thinking that the bearings on the 2x2 square tube should be as accurate as the v-groove y axis because is is sitting on the same 2x2 tube, anyways... Is there another reason you've gone to v-groove?

I think I'll be using the candcnc Bladerunner @ $1310 and a Hyertherm 45 for my setup.

<edit> Actually, I wonder if I can use the 300 oz steppers or if the gantry requires the 620s? </edit>

Jim

[johndjmix]

Hey jeepsterjc, I decided not to go with the bearings riding on the square tube for a few reasons.

1. I wouldn't be able to paint the rails. I could just oil them up to stop rust but didn't like that idea.

2. The vrails, while more expensive, will be more precise.

3. Everyone I've seen on here is using the vrail setup and it works great.

Not to take away from tulsas 4.0 kit...it was made perfectly with a perfect fit. If you are on a budget it's defiantly a way to save $!!!

I'm using tulsas z axis kit for the z axis. Using candcnc for the electronics.

Theres only a few hours left on it but if you hurry i have the 4.0 kit i didnt use on ebay See my previous post on this thread for the url.


--John

[jeepsterjc]

Hey jeepsterjc, I decided not to go with the bearings riding on the square tube for a few reasons.

1. I wouldn't be able to paint the rails. I could just oil them up to stop rust but didn't like that idea.

2. The vrails, while more expensive, will be more precise.

3. Everyone I've seen on here is using the vrail setup and it works great.

Not to take away from tulsas 4.0 kit...it was made perfectly with a perfect fit. If you are on a budget it's defiantly a way to save $!!!

I'm using tulsas z axis kit for the z axis. Using candcnc for the electronics.

Theres only a few hours left on it but if you hurry i have the 4.0 kit i didnt use on ebay See my previous post on this thread for the url.


--John

You'll be ahead of me in your build, but I hope I can catch up!

Here's my order I just made from John:
1 x ULTIMATE DIY PlasmaBot 3.0 Gantry Kit - I got the last one
1 x ShopDroids Z Axis Drive
1 x Z Drive Floating Torch Plate Kit

I'll go direct drive and tomorrow I'll dig into ordering up many of the goodies that I'll need to get started.

[jeepsterjc]

Done yet?

I've ordered the Bladerunner 620-4 full meal deal and a ton of small parts today!