Open Gantry Table In Progress

[Scotts Elle]

Just thought I would share some pictures of a small table I am fabricating. I am doing things a little differently than most do.

Tom at CandCNC is supplying the electronics and I am using a gear reduction drive head instead of timing belts. Motors should be here with the next week or 2. Then once everything is running its off to powder coating.

I am still trying to figure out what to do for a water control system. Air vs pump? Thoughts?

[Boogiemanz1]

Hi Scott, that is a nifty little machine. In fact, it would probably do 90 % of the work I need. I like the design, if I could just get over my "bigger is better" thinking. What is the working size of the bed?.............jb

[mactec54]

Scotts Elle
Looks like it should work quite well, the design is not new there are some routers that use this design which work very well, To made it more compact the back linear rail could of been at 90deg to the table this would of given the Yaxes even more/better support. You most likely could mount a router/or a spindle of some kind on as well for drilling counterboring holes etc may be some light milling as well, for liquid in your tank you could look at this web address.

http://www.greencut.com/plasma_arc_tables.html

[Scotts Elle]

Thanks. I didn't even consider the 90 degree mounting option. Good idea. I am liking the idea of boring holes. The majority of work this table will do is small brackets. Any links to how people have set up a multiple tool configuration on the Z axis? I searched and didn't find much.

Boggieman.... cut area is about 24" x 36". I looked at the all the pieces I have been cutting over the years and 99% of the work I did was in this table area. Any work over this size was almost always farmed out to a local waterjet company.

[mactec54]

Hi Scotts Elle
Take a look at kinetic plasma machines. these are a big time machines but do both just for an idea.
http://www.kineticusa.com/

[BruceArnn]

...99% of the work I did was in this table area

Yep, me too. You have some nice innovation there. I like the easy loading, the big swing arm (presumable for your monitor/keyboard). The cable chain to declutter things. Very nice.
I am also working out the details for a smallish table although a little different from yours. The first thing I want to cut is some aluminum doors / cabinet sides to enclose the bottom. Bruce

[driberif85]

I just wanted to say nice work. I work as a welder for a living and I must say that your Fab skills are amazing. It looks very professional. I really like your arm for arm for holding your control pad or whatever. So great job.

[Scotts Elle]

Thanks. The table is running now... kinda. Just working on a few gremlins. I will get pictures soon. The swing arm was initially for a laptop I was going to use but after fighting with it to run Mach, I went with a regular PC. The swing arm has been modified to hold an LCD monitor, keyboard and mouse. The rack at the bottom holds the control box and rack mounted PC.

I am still looking for options to fill and drain the tank. I see some people use air displacement and others use electric pumps. Whats the general consensus?

The to do list now is:
- Swing arms for plasma torch lead
- Floating Z axis
- Install quench tank
- Skin the lower portion of table skin x and y axis and install bellows
- Blow it all apart and have it powder coated.

For those that are interested, I am completing a parts list and drawings for this build. I will post when I have completed the table.

[panozeng]

I had debated doing that same cantilevered style some myself. I was thinking like someone posted above; to have the rails stacked vertically on the back of the machine. But, I am concerned about deflection on the ned of the beam at higher cutting speeds, specially as things get more wear on them. I still really like the design, though. Are you seeing any deflection when making rapid direction reversals?

Nice Fabrication work! (from a guy that teaches welding and fabrication by day!)

[Scotts Elle]

More pictures. Still some work left like skinning the sides, installing the bellows, and putting the water tank in.

[Boogiemanz1]

I am enjoying your build very much. I would be very interested in seeing the plans...............jb

[scrambled]

I like it!

Steve