Is a Small Footprint CNC Plasma Table Worth Having?
Most of us who have become used to the CNC plasma process wonder how we ever got by without it. Yet there are a lot of shops out there that do without this capability because they feel they don't have the necessary space. My purpose in starting this thread is to make the case for getting started with (and possibly staying with) a small (around 2' x 2') CNC plasma table.
A plasma table is kind of like a pool table in that it not only requires the space that it occupies, but also requires operating room all around it. Whereas a game of pool is a fairly clean process (hopefully), the plasma cutting process is messy, potentially hazardous, and somewhat toxic. There are many small commercial and home shops, that can't readily devote the required square footage for a stationary 4' x 8' or larger plasma table. So they go on farming out their shape cutting projects, or manually cutting out and grinding them.
I would argue that these folks should give serious consideration to purchasing or building a small table with approximately a 2' x 2' cutting area.
A small table can be configured for outside use, eliminating the need for an elaborate exhaust system, water table, or other means of dealing with plasma dust.
A small table using relatively small plates generally can be used without the need for a torch height control, as a small plate is typically flatter than a large plate.
A large percentage of cutting will be done on prototype work or low production runs only requiring a small cutting area. The material support slats on many large tables closest to the home position wear out first for obvious reasons.
If it eventually becomes possible to graduate to a larger table, the electronics and drive mechanisms can simply be moved over, and the small table sold or scrapped.
The photos below show a very small (18" x 18") home-made table, and some examples of work done on it.
More information on small DIY CNC and pantograph plasma systems canteen here: Home Page
Is a Small Footprint CNC Plasma Table Worth Having?
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