Re: plasma cutting table

As if my last post wasn't long enough, here I am with more.

I am constructing my table kinda backwards in that my x axis is 5'
and my y is 8'. this allows me to cut 4x8 sheets, but it also allows
me togo 8' by whatever length I want to in the future if the need
arises. this does call for a rather long gantry, but I will drive it
from both sides with a shaft joining the pinion gears. I wouldn't
drive a unit the size of yours from one side only as if the lower end
of your "T square" lags behind you will get square cuts that are
paralellograms. I like Chris's suggestion of turning the rack
vertical to allow the swarf to fall away, but it won't allow joining
the opposite pinion gears together with a shaft to feep them
syncronized unless you add a right angle gear box on each side of the
shaft. Perhaps a better thought would be to mount the rack with the
teeth horizontal, but pointing down, with the pinion gears under them
so the swarf can still fall away, but you can join the pinions easily.
Once again these other guys have finished their machines, while I am
still over thinking mine, so take my advice for what it's worth.
Thanks
Dale

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "dave_ace_me" <davemucha@j...> wrote:
> The current plan is a grantry style machine with a stationary
table.
> Since a stock sheet is 4 ft x 8 ft, this would require little more
> than a foot on either side. a moving part would require a table
> twice the width or lenght.
>
> one nice thing about a moving table, even if only in one direction
is
> that the water capture or fume capture would be stationary and
therby
> very effective.
>
> I think it would be easier to move the gantry than to move the part
> strictly because the gantry can be all overhead whereas if the
table
> moved, some parts would have to be closer to the business end of
the
> cutter and may run into fouling from the cutting byproducts.
>
> Since the maximum part is 1/8 thick aluminum the cutter does not
need
> to be too high amperage.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Raymond Heckert" <jnr@a...> wrote:
> > My advice would be to move the torch, not the table. It's much
more
> > efficient on smaller machines. I'd worry about cutting into the
> table.
> > Also, if moving the table, you need machine clearance of twice
the
> sheet
> > size to cut anywhere on the sheet. But, free advice is only
worth
> what it
> > costs ya.
> >
> > I ran a W.A.Whitney 647C Plasma/Punch for a few years, and it
moved
> the
> > (ball-transfer) table in the +/- Y direction, and slid the stock
> (across
> > the balls) in the +/- X direction. The torch was stationary, but
> dropped
> > down on the stock for cutting, and back up in-between cuts. The
> torch ass'y
> > itself rolled over the stock, via mini-transfer balls. Rated at
> 1/2" x 4ft
> > x 8ft hot rolled steel, but we cut up to 183" of 3/16" x 60" with
> it. It
> > was a BIG machine, 350 Amp supply (at 80% duty cycle), water-
cooled
> torch &
> > slag funnel.
> >
> > How big is your torch, ampere-wise? How big are the sheets you
want
> to use?
> >
> > RayHex
> >
> > ----------
> > > From: dave_ace_me <davemucha@j...>
> > >
> > > My current desire is to make a plasma cutting table.
> > >
> > > I know that these are similar in design to router tables and I
> assume
> > > that there are a few in this group that have made these tables.
> > >
> > > If you have any pointers, I would greatly appreciate your input.
> > >
> > > My intention is to cut 1/8 and 0.08 aluminum sheets
> > >
> > > Some of the concerns I have are:
> > > how fast to I need to move the table,
> > > how messy the process is, does it create splatter like torch
> cutting.
> > > does it reak havoc on the slides ?
> > > How large of steppers should I plan on using ?
> > > and how you move the table, single center lead screw ? twin
> screws on
> > > the outside linked by a timing belt ?
> > >
> > > Also, if you do have one, do you make parts for people ?
> > >
> > > Dave