I'm having trouble selecting right electronic (economical 4x8 plasma)

[Smims]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.
Assistance from you would be welcome because for the moment I have spent several hours researching the right components, but I'm afraid I'm wrong. I am located in Canada and I am looking for the best deal for quality electronics.
Being at my first experience in CNC, I want to build a plasma table 4 'x 8' + rotary head for SQ tube (I thought to use sheetcam's rotary plugin) (torch will be handheld model first without THC). I will use 1 motor per axis as the gantry will be lightweight, it should not be a problem.
Let's talk about electronics now:


1-I thought to use a cheap parallel port BOB with relay for torch and plenty of inputs for endstop. (what should I look for specifications). I have no idea how the relay interacts with plasma (Do I have to hack some electronics?)


2-I thought I would use 4 motors # 23 (1 per axis) 300-400oz-in / 8 wires for bipolar parallel use (will 4 wires works too or they are for serie use(how to recognize thoses that can be wired bi-parallel)? Ebay does not list a lot of info about their motors ). My ignorance stops me thinking that it will be powered with 36V for no reason other than the operating temperature. I would use an "inductance" of 1.5mh-2mh (maxxx)


3-Drivers: I would like to use independent drivers for security reasons. I would like to use something other than TB6600 since the comments are not reassuring. Wantai, Keling seem to be in my price range + -30 $ per drives. I would look for 40V capable and the most economical of the two.


I found this kit interesting but by reading the datasheet, the motors are 6.6mh with a PWRSupply of 36v. That's a wrong combination kit.


https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/cnc-3_axis_4_axis_kits/4-axis-nema23-cnc-kit-36v9-7a425oz-inkl4030/



4-what type of cable is necessary to join the motors to the drivers as well as the BOB -> drivers?


5-If I want to use mach 4 in the future with cable usb (if it's right) what should I change on my setup?


6-I would like to buy from China because I have the impression that the customs and the exchange rate will be less painful! I will probably look on ebay.


My goal is to test the machine (small sized prototype first) with the smallest possible investment but with the least headache.

Please let me know what do you think about thoses points.

Thanks a lot
Sim

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[awerby]

Often, these plans tend to change as the project progresses. It's usually a good idea to build the frame with its water pan, getting all its sliding parts and screws installed before worrying about the motors and electronics. Sometimes a gantry gets heavier than anticipated, or you might find a deal on a complete kit with THC and all for less than you were thinking it would cost. Use the time to do more research on the components people say have worked well for them (or not). If you never complete that part of the project (and many don't) you'll have wasted less money.

Plasma is a special case because of all the RFI generated by the process; electronics that work okay for normal CNC machines may not do so well when the torch is on. You may need to use more shielded cable than usual, and provide Faraday-cage enclosures for the electronics. Check with people who are experienced in putting this stuff together, like CandCNC https://www.candcnc.com ; there's more to it than you might think.

[Smims]

For sure building the frame would be more important first but I keep my idea to try playing with electronic + small sized 4 axis machine to see if it suit my need and how hard or how simple it cut tubes. This machine only need to cut couple of cuts and I'll know if I go for the real one. I would not pay for a frame + electronic ad sell everything after some trials. I'm confident regarding the gantry weight but x axis with only one motor could be upgraded with a second one or something more powerful. Extreme rapid traveling isn't my goal neither.