Precision Plasma LLC History

[rchacich]

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.

Original Concept

[rchacich]

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.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyhV4oLOHEg&feature=related"]YouTube- Precision Plasma CNC Cutting Table[/nomedia]

Here are pictures of the production model



Floating Z axis



Motor mount and gantry rail



Side rails and gear rack

[rchacich]

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



Z axis (same as 2008 model)



Motor mount



Rail and gear rack

[rchacich]

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.

Link to initial release on cnczone.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/blog.php?b=454



Here is a list of the specifications:

• Benchtop design for portability and space savings
• 24 inch x 36 inch cut area
• 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.

A short video of the test

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UaK_fb7rUE"]YouTube- Precision Plasma LLC 3500ipm.MPG[/nomedia]

[rchacich]

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.

[rchacich]

In December of 2009, Precision Plasma LLC released a bolt together version of the 4 x 4 table.

Features:

• The same rail used on both X and Y axis
• Sheet metal frame made from 11ga steel
• Integrated slat holders to utilize 1/8 x 3" CRS on 3" centers
• Machined aluminum end plates and Z axis components

Main table



Bolt together construction



Rail



Y axis



X and Z axis

[rchacich]

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



End assembly



Wheel Shield

[rchacich]

For 2010, Precision Plasma LLC has slightly redesigned and expanded their gantry kit product offering.

Sizes Available:

• 2 X 2
• 2 X 3
• 3 X 4
• 4 X 4
• 4 X 8
• 5 X 5
• 5 X 10

Standard Ganty Kit (motors not included)



Z axis (5 and 12 turn per inch screw available)



End assembly



Rail assembly



Optional 2:1 belt reduction unit

[rchacich]

A 25:1 reduction 6" rotary chuck was released by Precision Plasma LLC in the summer of 2010. The capacity is 3/4" to 6" square or round tubing.

Rotary Chuck



Other options are belt reduction units.

Standard 2:1 belt reduction



Aluminum 2:1 belt reduction

[rock4xfab]

Rich what is the back lash if any in the Rotory.. Say for cutting a hole into a round tube??

[rchacich]

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.

[rock4xfab]

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.