This does look like something that might work for making simple signs and artwork. Although I wonder how much that arm will bend with the torch is at full extension. With no Z axis control, I wonder how much the gap between the torch and the piece might change with position change.
Considering plasma CNC system
- Thread starter IXLR8
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TMGT
Elite Member
Agreed, that looks a bit light duty, no z mean peiricng (which is common on signs) wont be as good and any interpolation (think curves, once again common on signs) might not be very clean due to flex.
Plus I started adding up the cost of all the "options" which a lot are necessities, and it doesn't look like that great a deal to me.
Esab makes a a similar type of setup that doesn't need a table and appears quite a bit more ridgid but also a LOT more expensive.
cabinhollow
Silver Member
I ran a Plasmacam for 10 years. 5' x 10' table. just about trouble free. Need help, call and the problem was took care of.
I found a better built table two years ago and replaced the Plasmacam table. Sold it for more than 1/2 what I paid for it.
The new table came with CandCNC. All I can say, is run, run fast if a table has CandCNC.
I am getting ready to do a $5000+ upgrade/replacement next month, just to dump CandCNC.
In two years CandCNC , due to miss cuts has cost me over $40,000 retail in items.
Plasmacam in 10 years cost me around $2000 retail in miss cuts.
My new table is very well built, years ahead of a Plasmacam table.
I do cut around 1m inches each year.
Almost all are art/signs. My bill for shipping at USPS for 2018, was over $20,000.
I found a better built table two years ago and replaced the Plasmacam table. Sold it for more than 1/2 what I paid for it.
The new table came with CandCNC. All I can say, is run, run fast if a table has CandCNC.
I am getting ready to do a $5000+ upgrade/replacement next month, just to dump CandCNC.
In two years CandCNC , due to miss cuts has cost me over $40,000 retail in items.
Plasmacam in 10 years cost me around $2000 retail in miss cuts.
My new table is very well built, years ahead of a Plasmacam table.
I do cut around 1m inches each year.
Almost all are art/signs. My bill for shipping at USPS for 2018, was over $20,000.
TMGT
Elite Member
What version software are you using from CandCNC? I've heard a lot of issues when they were first transitioning to commandcnc a couple years ago but those seem to have been taken care of.
What table do you have now?
cabinhollow
Silver Member
I got my table with CandCNC two years ago. The software was updated, re-loaded 2-3 times in the first 2 months.
About 5 months ago, I order two computers from them with the software loaded. They came in the same box, they are the same brand/model of computer. The software is not the same in them.
I do not know what is going to work how, each time I turn it on.
The table is a Maverick.
It is app 10" shorter in length, 6" narrower width and 10" shorter in height than the plasmacam table.
The rails are on the side, the gantry is 2-3 times heavier, Z travel is 6", all cables are enclosed ( no overhead boom), one piece welded table (not bolted together), they delivery it and set it up (the tech spent 2 days on the phone/email with CandCNC trying to get the program to work), has the wavy grates, 4" apart, machine torch holder, all contract points are chrome plated.
I have a 4000+cuft/m downdraft vent fan on it.
A overhead crane to load the sheet.
TMGT
Elite Member
I'm really hope I dont have those issues, seems some of the DIY plasma software can be hit or miss.
The Maverick looks like a nice table, any particular reason you went with a downdraft over a water table?
The Maverick looks like a nice table, any particular reason you went with a downdraft over a water table?
cabinhollow
Silver Member
For easy of maintenance.
I do also cut most of my scrap into 4" items. A large number fall down under the table.
I do have to have a door open 4"-6", close to my table when the fan is running.
If I remember, the table was $500 less without the water pan, I paid app $250 for my fan and then built all my piping.
When I replace my plasmacam table, I had over 4 tons of scrap under it, that I sold.
On the software/hardware, do not get the basic package.
That what too many people do, then when they find out that to do more than simple cuts, they have to buy upgrades.
TMGT
Elite Member
Got ya, are you running any filtration system or is it just ducted to the outside?
As for the software, went with the CandCNC full automation stepper bundle with breakaway mount Z axis. The only thing I didn't get was the pendent, which I plan on getting in the future.
cabinhollow
Silver Member
Just ducted outside. The grass for 10' around the outlet is 2-3 times taller/greener than what outside of that ring.
On the breakaway mount. I hope it has a automatic torch cutoff.
And while with CandCNC you can get back to the stop point. Have fun.
With plasmacam, you can break the line at that point and then it will start there on its' own.
When I added the machine torch to my plasmacam, I got a breakaway torch holder. Two days later, I had drill some holes in it and bolted it solid.
I have my Z travel set at 1 3/4" and takes care of the popups.
TMGT
Elite Member
Sounds like you had issues, care to elaborate?
cabinhollow
Silver Member
With CandCNC you just about have to start on M5 in the G code for each cut.
So, you turn the torch off, start at M5 for that line and just as it gets to the point, you turn the torch back on. The torch maybe traveling 190"/min.
Or, when it gets to the point, you click pause, click to turn the torch back on, then click resume. By that time the start hole will be .2 or larger.
Or, you can closeout that cut file, go back to your design program, change the line, convert back to a cut file, re-load the cut file back into CandCNC and hope for the best.
About all you can do in CandCNC is skip a line, not part of it. And to do that, you have to be reading the code as it cuts and tracking which line you want to skip.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
my dynatorch system lets me pause, back track and resume if i have any issues. i dont have to restart if there's a problem. i too have the break away head, plus a laser torch height detector so the head does not have to touch the plate at any time except when calibrating the torch height unit. Dynatorch used to be based out of Kentucky. i think they moved though if i recall.
TMGT
Elite Member
Are you running Mach3 or Linux/ commandcnc?
I've been looking over the Linux CommandCNC and haven't seen the issue you're refering to with restarts.
cabinhollow
Silver Member
Linux/ commandcnc
If you are between cuts and click pause and then resume, it not a big deal.
It's all the other times that cause the headache.
One is sometimes when you use the esc key, the code re-winds back to the start. You then have to find the line of code that you need to start on. I will have over 40,000 lines loaded at one time.
Most of the time I will layout a full sheet (5'x10') at one time, 6000" to 8000"+ of cut. Some of the cuts will be as short as .12" long.
I also have two Circut machines, under $200 each, their program/software is years ahead of CandCNC.
I use them to cut hightemp tape, for putting designs on items, when I powder coat them.
