Re: CNC Plasma cutter

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "jfglass2001"
<jfglass2001@y...> wrote:

> I think that $6000 is more money than I want to spend. I put
> together my router for just under $1500, I am pretty sure that I

can

> do the plasm for under $3000 (including plasma cutter)

I asked the question on the Plasmacutter list about low end plasma
cutters.

They universally said that for CNC work, you need to get a machine
that is rated for 100% duty cycle. Cutting a sheet that will take 30
minutes will make lessor machines bug out.

That puts the floor of plasma cutters in the $2,000 price.

Second, a Torch head height control. Rutex makes something and
offers parts, Cambel Designs offers a board, both look like they
start at around $350.00.

That puts your project into the $1,000 for the rest of everything.

My VERY DULL pencil (means I do NOT have a grip on actual costs)
would guess at drives and motors in the $250 and axis range. Maybe
more if you use servos. Lots less if you get e-bay to be friendly.

I would guess that a plasma table would run near $3,000 PLUS the
cutter.

I looked at a table a few years ago. I figureded on welding the
frame and grinding all the welds down flat and then haveing the bed
heat treated to be stress releaved. One reason is that if they do it
right, they can make it really really flat in that process. Makes
grinding easier. IIRC, it was under $700.00 for a 5 ft x 9 ft
section.

Since that time, the project got stalled the parts that were needed
got re-designed.

But, there are two general categories of plasma cutters. One is
your standard and the other is a FineCut that has much better control
over the dimmentions as well as the dross. Of course, you are adding
$$ to the plasma cutter machine.

Knowing that your target is $3,500, I would double that to eleminate
sticker shock and spend some time on E-bay, the junk yard and local
freebies. For a resourceful builder, it might be possible.

Dave