CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

Peter in AU / Plasma table.

Posted by skullworks
on 2005-11-27 11:55:27 UTC
A few tips after looking at the pics you posted.

The good news is your compressor is 3 phase, bad news is it is a 2
stage piston type. What this means is that when your plasma cutter is
running full speed cutting a sheet of nested parts your compressor
may be running beyond its rated duty cycle. Like on 3 minutes out of
every 5.

It WILL be very noisy as shown - but there are some simple mods you
can do to cut that down.

1) Make a free flow baffled air filter box. Much of the noise comes
from the air intake.

2) Vibration Isolation foot pads - this will damp the tank so it
doesn't ring and also the vibration thru the floor.

3) Build a drywall/sheetrock enclosure with double doors. Use the
sheet metal framing instead of wood so as to be nearly fireproof.

Another thing that might help for doing small lots - 1pc etc would be
to add a few extra storage tanks to increase your volume. Good point
is that you may be able to run a cycle without the air kicking in -
bad side is that the compressor will take longer to bring total
volume back to cutoff pressure.

Also - a piston type compressor running often like that will collect
alot of water in the tank - at times I was getting about a half
gallon a day. ( I drain it first thing in the morning so water has
condensed.) I would plumb a tank drain and valve for easy access.

I would keep an eye out for a constant duty worm type compressor like
a Sullair - plumb it into your shop air supply but only run it when
using lots of air - the piston compressor will handle intermitant air
use more economically.

Good luck with your project.

Discussion Thread

skullworks 2005-11-27 11:55:27 UTC Peter in AU / Plasma table.