Anyone using Hobbycnc boards for plasma?

[johnt]

Is anyone using Hobbycnc boards for their plasma?
Are 200 oz/in motors sufficient for a 20 lb gantry?
Thanks,
John

[accuratemike]

I think you could. I use a Xylotex & 187oz motors to push a 55# gantry 90ipm max. I figure that it would take 400oz motors to push me to plasma speeds, but with a light gantry, 200oz could probably do it. MIKE

[coherent]

It'll work fine. Just use something like 5 tpi ballscrews/nuts. I upgraded from acme screws to ballscrews and with a xylotex board and 270 oz steppers I can now rapid at 420 in per min with no lost steps using mach 2. A plasma torch is a lot lighter to push around than my router...
-marc

[kanankeban]

Originally Posted by coherent It'll work fine. Just use something like 5 tpi ballscrews/nuts. I upgraded from acme screws to ballscrews and with a xylotex board and 270 oz steppers I can now rapid at 420 in per min with no lost steps using mach 2. A plasma torch is a lot lighter to push around than my router... -marc

Hi mark,
could you post dome pictures of your table?
Regards,
Hector

[HobbyCNC]

Originally Posted by coherent It'll work fine. Just use something like 5 tpi ballscrews/nuts. I upgraded from acme screws to ballscrews and with a xylotex board and 270 oz steppers I can now rapid at 420 in per min with no lost steps using mach 2. A plasma torch is a lot lighter to push around than my router... -marc

Anybody consider the electrical "noise" from the plasma torch?

Dave Rigotti

[accuratemike]

Originally Posted by hobbycnc Anybody consider the electrical "noise" from the plasma torch? Dave Rigotti

Dave, why don't you enlighten us ? Is plasma noise a "deal killer" with your boards ? Others that you know of ? Just curious. (Luckily, I have no torch noise to deal with) MIKE

[HobbyCNC]

Originally Posted by accuratemike Dave, why don't you enlighten us ? Is plasma noise a "deal killer" with your boards ? Others that you know of ? Just curious. (Luckily, I have no torch noise to deal with) MIKE

We've never had any feedback from users and I don't plan on making a Plasma machine to test it. I do know of other drivers that have had trouble with. Thats all the enlightening I can do.

Dave Rigotti

[Dan Mauch]

The problem with plasma cutters is the EMI can cause false triggering of the the step motor drivers. What seems to be unanimous is that the hypertherm higher frequency is less of a problem that other brands. Careful earth grounding of the plasma cutters frame, the plama cutter itself grounded to the same earth connection and shielding the pc are just some of the ways to prevent lost stepper/ interference from the plasma torch.