5 x 10 HDB / Bladrunner table build

[BBchevy396_]

Hello folks, I've been following most of your builds for some time and have taken the leap myself.

I'm building a 5' x 10' plasma/ oxy table using Precision Plasmas HDB gantry kit, and C & CNC's Bladerunner/dragon cut electronics package. I'm also including a water tray/ air bladder system. The table, tray and air bladder are all slight modifications of Ron's designs.

I must say, Ron at Precision, and Tom at C & CNC have went way beyond expectations helping me on this build.

I've only gotten to work on the project for a 1 weekend and 1/2 of today so far, but it's coming along.

Sorry about the picture quality... cell phone.

[BBchevy396_]

A few more pics of the progress.

A few might be wondering about the water tray. I had it formed from 14ga material, so I figured it couldn't hurt to have a couple stiffening ribs pressed in.

I intend to flatten them in spots so not to create trapped pockets of air or water.

I see there are a couple others with Precision Plasma 5x10 tables under construction, so if any would like to share or converse on the similar builds, feel free to comment!

More to follow as I make further progress.

Jim

[joebass]

hey, Jimmie, I just started on mine as well, Got the k2 z axis, cnc router parts reductions and the bladerunner package. I will be watching your progress and will have to stop by the pit more.

[BBchevy396_]

Yes you will! l LONG TIME NO SEE!

[BBchevy396_]

A few pics of today's progress. (I love it when no-one bothers me on Sunday)

Got the water tray finished and tested... NO leaks, first time! and those of little faith say mig is difficult to not get pinholes?
Practice fellas.... trigger time.

I also fabricated the air bladder and have the slat holders tacked on and set it in place for a test fit.

Next weekend I may be able to take it all apart for paint.

Hopefully someone with more experiance will say something if they see anything they dont like or suggest a better way, while it's still easy to change.

[Teknition]

Nice build BB. You are off to a running start, looks like you will be done and cutting steel before I can even get my trays bent up.

Brad

[Teknition]

I did see one thing I would change BB. The gusset plates you have tacked on to the bottom tray, I would stitch weld them into the under side of the air bladder tank as stiffeners. Also tack some locating tabs around the perimeter of the inner and outer tray so you can bolt the 2 together and weld lifting lugs on the ends of the air bladder. This way if you need to clean the sludge out of the lower pan, you can unbolt and remove the air bladder for access. Other than that, its looking great to me.
What did you come up with for outer pan measurements?

Brad

[plain ol Bill]

If you have a little extra room in your shop I would extend the rails down either side far enough that you can "park" your gantry off the table. Can come in awful handy to have it out of harms way when you are handling large material onto the table.

[BBchevy396_]

I did see one thing I would change BB. The gusset plates you have tacked on to the bottom tray, I would stitch weld them into the under side of the air bladder tank as stiffeners. Also tack some locating tabs around the perimeter of the inner and outer tray so you can bolt the 2 together and weld lifting lugs on the ends of the air bladder. This way if you need to clean the sludge out of the lower pan, you can unbolt and remove the air bladder for access. Other than that, its looking great to me.
What did you come up with for outer pan measurements?

Brad

What you didn't see, is I also have stiffening plates, as you suggested, stitched to the bottom of the air bladder that alternate with the stiffeners in the tank, which gives me a 15" spacing for support. One top, one bottom, etc... They also coincide with framing members under the tray.
I also intend to weld 6 bolt tabs to the bladder and tray, with the bladder tabs extended for lifting lugs. With that in mind, I attached the slat holders to the air bladder, so when it does get lifted out, all of the slats dont need to be removed but will stay in place atop the bladder. I just ran out of weekend to get everything done..... *sigh*... LOL

You and I must think alike!

I ended up shortening Ron's frame length to 126" outside, and made the pan 129" for a 3" overhang for fittings, or a possible small sump.

So, the pan is, 64" x 129" x 8", with a 1 1/2" x 1 " brake on the top edges for added stiffness, formed from 14ga material. I figured a couple stiffening ribs couldn't hurt and helped control distortion when welding it together.

The air bladder is 120" x 60" x 4" (2" clearance on the sides, 3" on 1 end, and 6" on the fitting end) and should raise the water level approx 3.25" above the bladder, and still retain a 3/4" spill lip. The math works, so.......... hopefully the test will too.

One other thing..... I spoke with Ron about a drop on both sides of the gantry, for a flush table top (without 1 raised rail) and he is sending me the pieces to make the "HDL", a "HDB". Little did I know he offered that configuration but doesn't have it listed on his website.

[BBchevy396_]

If you have a little extra room in your shop I would extend the rails down either side far enough that you can "park" your gantry off the table. Can come in awful handy to have it out of harms way when you are handling large material onto the table.

You are very correct Bill! The cutting surface is 10', and the rails are 12' to allow just that.

By the way... very nice table you built!

[Teknition]

Thanks for the measurements BBchevy. Ive asked Ron to redesign my table setup. I think that we are trying to stretch a 6x12 sheet of steel a bit too far and it is also making it harder for the fab guys to make the trays. I really think the single sheet design would work great for a 4x8 table though, especially if Ron adds in the double brake at top of the outer tray as you have. I was trying to eliminate welding down the centre of the sheet to eliminate the warping and Ron pulled it off, but I just cant get large sheets cut and bent reasonably around here.

Hopfully in the next few days Ron will work his magic and come up with a new design similar to yours for my table.

Brad

[rchacich]

BB,

I am amazed at the progress that you can make just working weekends. The table looks very professional and I like your design.

Precision Plasma LLC currently has 2 styles of heavy duty gantry kits listed on the website, the HD version and the HDL which has a 9" drop on one side. We actually built an HDB (full bridge) style after assembling the first HDL gantry. It was never listed on the website since it costs more to build and the HDL version can be assembled left or right hand. After talking with BB, he stated that he wished we had an option for the 9" drop on each side to
get the rail out of the way on both sides of the machine. That is when I let him know that I actually started with an HDB and modified it into an HDL for his order. Parts have now been sent out to convert it back to the HDB design. The HDB is available, and will be added to the Precision Plasma LLC website shortly. This design is more expensive to build and the cost is $5995 for the 5x10 DIY gantry kit.

Ron