4x4'6" CNC plasma table build, Xalky...

[xalky]

I started a CNC plasma table build about 6 weeks ago Here's what I've done so far. I wanted to be able to cut a 4x4 sheet edge to edge, so my table has a slightly larger footprint. The table will be completely dismantleable so I can stash it away when I'm not using it. At this point I don't think I'll be using a water table. But a downdraft would be pretty easy for me to implement since I already have negative air machine capable of 2000cfm air movement .

[xalky]

Here's a link to the Negative air machine.I can either exhaust to outside or just filter the air with the built in hepa filter.
Novatek Novair 2100 Negative Air Scubbing Machine





The frame base is built and I'm in the process of painting it now. I'll post pictures of it once it's painted and reassembled.

[xalky]

It will be using a belt drive system with a 4 to 1 belt reduction. I'm using 3/8" pitch x 1/2" wide "L" timing belts.

I'm going with the CandCNC setup with THC and the 620oz/in motors. I'm still waiting on that stuff to arrive. I'm hoping it'll be here by 4/20 so I can get this hooked up to my PC next weekend.

If anyone can point me to a thread with a nice simple torch touch off. that would be great.

Thanks

[xalky]

I welded up the frame this week and painted it this weekend and reassembled. The steel is all recycled stuff picked up over the years. Some of it had to be scraped and it all had to be blasted to remove rust and loose paint. I was gonna go out and buy new stuff but I had this and the price was right.
All painted in my favorite designer color....Battleship Grey.

[ajclay]

Hello,

Your off to a good start that's for sure.

What did you build the gantry box out of? I can make out vee rollers, you have them on all for corners?

If you have time, shoot a pic from the end so we can see what you did there.

Be thinking of how your going to keep your rails clean. That dust is a problem to say the least.

aj

[xalky]

Hello,

Your off to a good start that's for sure.

What did you build the gantry box out of? I can make out vee rollers, you have them on all for corners?

If you have time, shoot a pic from the end so we can see what you did there.

Be thinking of how your going to keep your rails clean. That dust is a problem to say the least.

aj

The Gantry box is a piece of 2x5 aluminum extruded tubing that I got from a dismantled aluminum sun room. There are aluminum v-rails riveted on all 4 corners. Right now as it sitd the gantry weighs under 50lbs. I'm guessing with the motors attached, it'll weigh around 60lbs.





The v rails will be cleaned with a rag,.... my high tech solution.

The linear rails have wipers built in to the pillow blocks.

[xalky]

here's a couple more shots of the rollers on the v rails.

[ajclay]

The Gantry box is a piece of 2x5 aluminum extruded tubing that I got from a dismantled aluminum sun room. There are aluminum v-rails riveted on all 4 corners. Right now as it sitd the gantry weighs under 50lbs. I'm guessing with the motors attached, it'll weigh around 60lbs.

The v rails will be cleaned with a rag,.... my high tech solution.

The linear rails have wipers built in to the pillow blocks.

You did good on getting your hands on that piece of tubing. That's what I wanted to use for mine, but just couldn't find a short piece...

One thing that I'd change for sure is... get rid of the pop rivets. They are good for light sheet metal projects but not for things like this. Of course that's something that could always be corrected, if and when it becomes a problem..

The Z axis set up, where did that come from? You made it or bought it?

AJ

[ajclay]

The vee rails will work under the worst possible conditions.. They are the rollers to use for sure.

The linier rails will no doubt have to be maintained. Wipers or no wipers.....

Are they the bushing type or roller bearing type?

AJ

[xalky]

They're the roller bearing type linear bearings. Hey if pop rivets can hold an airplane together, I think they'll be fine for my gantry. They're every 2 inches. They hold better than a screw will threaded into aluminum. I tried it on a piece of scrap. Like 4 times the holding power of a 10/24 screw in aluminum.

[ajclay]

They're the roller bearing type linear bearings. Hey if pop rivets can hold an airplane together, I think they'll be fine for my gantry. They're every 2 inches. They hold better than a screw will threaded into aluminum. I tried it on a piece of scrap. Like 4 times the holding power of a 10/24 screw in aluminum.

Yep, those roller bearings aren't going to tolerate any dust or trash particles. You'll have to stay on top of the wipers to keep them working 100%.

Aj

[xalky]

I missed that part: The z-axis is an item i bought on e-bay it's a THK linear actuator. Actually most of the parts came from e-bay, the v-rollers and track, skate bearings, linear rails and linear pillow blocks, and the pulley bearings all came from ebay. The timing pulleys and timing belts came from an online source...can't remember the name off hand, but the prices were good and shipping was really quick.