Precision Plasma LLC is a company with a philosophy of providing low cost tables to hobbyists and small business owners. By providing only the mechanical system, it allows the consumer the ability to choose the electronics and software packages to best suit their needs and budget. It also allows for the ultimate cost of the complete package to be less than if everything was purchased from a single company.
Why is it less expensive?
Product liability insurance is based on a company's total sales and the level of hazard of the equipment. By not selling the plasma units or electronics, the total sales and hazards are reduced. This reduces the cost per table.
Support is very expensive. The mechanics of a table requires very little support if good documentation is provided. The electronics and software is much more complicated and accounts for 95% of the questions.
You can choose the level of support you want if you have the ability to choose the electronics and software packages. Purchase a Bladerunner kit from Candcnc.com and you are purchasing support. (phone and e-mail) If you already understand the electronics and software you want to use, piece together your own system and save money. The information provided on the cnczone helps people research and understand the different options which allows them to make choices to fit their exact needs and budget.
Our target market is the DIY builders. People who could build a table themselves, but opt to purchasing a kit rather that sourcing and designing everything themselves.
Precision Plasma LLC was started in the beginning of 2008. The first thing that was designed and built is a machine to grind v-guide rail. Shortly afterwards, the first prototype 4 x 4 machine was produced.
Here is a video of the first part cut on the machine literally 20 minutes after the electronics were first turned on.
In 2008, customers requested that we offer 4 x 8 machines in addition to the 4 x 4 model. Since our rail grinding machine could produce rails long enough for the 8 foot length, we made the 4 x 8 a standard product as well. Due to the poor economy, customers also requested that we offer gantry kits to reduce the cost. We then offered gantry kits as an alternative to table kits.
In early 2009, customers requested that we offer a 5 x 10 gantry kit. This required the sourcing of longer rails, which caused our products to change slightly. PBC Linear had just developed a product which was very similar in size to our fabricated rails. This allowed for a simple redesign of our products to meet the needs of our customers.
2009 Model Standard 4x4 Machine with optional water pan
In August of 2009, Precision Plasma LLC announced the release of the new 2 x 3 benchtop CNC plasma table. Customers had requested a smaller footprint table for those who are short on floor space in their shops.
Aluminum gantry and rails with integrated hardened V-guides
Powder coated frame
Optional stainless steel water pan
Optional wheel covers with rail wipers
Z axis rail wipers standard
Floating Z axis switch for "Touch and go" plasma cutting
"C" frame design allows for parts to be cut from full size sheets
Direct drive gear and rack using 300 in-oz stepper motors
In order to understand the capabilities of this design, speed and acceleration testing was done with unbelievable results. Speeds over 3500ipm and an acceleration of 500in/sec/sec was achieved with a 300in-oz stepper motor. Although interesting, capabilities in this range are not required nor recommended for plasma cutting. Precision Plasma LLC suggests a velocity of 1000ipm and 50in/sec/sec with their products. The lower speeds and acceleration equates to less strain on the products and a longer life.
Another request from our customers was a 5 x 5 capacity table. Precision Plasma LLC then added a 5 x 5 table and gantry kit to their product offering.
Tip:
Hardware and automotive stores offer a 200lb capacity tray with casters for under $50. We have found this to be an economical stand for the computer and electronics of a cnc plasma table. The casters also make it easy to move around the shop, especially convenient if you use one computer for multiple machines. We bolted the computer to the bottom leg rather than fabricating a tray.
The final Precision Plasma LLC product released in 2009 was a 26" x 30" travel portable CNC plasma table. It was designed to be lightweight, so it can be easily moved from one place to another. It is set on top of the material to be cut.
Portable Table
Z axis accepts both hand held and machine torches with 1" body
The rotary chuck has 30 arcminutes of backlash. If using it in a tube slicing application (one direction cutting), it isn't an issue. If you wanted to use it in a multidirectional cutting process, you would want to use the backlash compensation in Mach 3. I would set up a Mach 3 profile for the size tubing that you cut.
Good to know.. I have already purchased the electronics end from Tom and when money permits I will add this option. But I will be using it for more then coping and slicing.
The gantry designs have evolved over time. It has been to improve quality and reduce costs. If you study the machines from oldest to newest, you can see the progression over 3 years. The latest gantry, the 2x3, in a lower cost solution than our standard gantry and is only used on the small tables. This was designed to meet a specific price point for the small footprint tables.
I anticipate that the current standard gantry design will remain the same for quite some time. We have (2) Z axis screw choices and the gantry works well direct drive or with 2:1 belt reduction units. It also has the optimal weight and rigidity for plasma cutting.
Precision Plasma LLC evolved into a gantry manufacturer and not a table manufacturer. This is due simply to customer requests. Most customers prefer to build their own table to have a much lower build cost. Also, customers have request cable track on their gantry kits. The v-rail has evolved to having wider carriages to support the cable track and we sell it today. It is called our v-rail model.