Plasma cutter, automation project

jimgerken · Jan 21, 2003

Well JimMc, you were correct, the major contributor of electrical noise is the workpiece after the clamp is applied to it. So I ran a seperate ground wire from the workpiece to ground, and changed to shielded cable for all motor leads and the shields of these are shielded seperately from everything else, and IT WORKS!!! I have a software issue right now with torch power on and off at the right times but I am sure I will get that worked out. Now I am ironing out the details of scaling, travel speeds, etc. These are fun details though because I get to run a test every few minutes and watch as my computer-drawn 2D lines are cut out of steel automatically and accurately! Very Cool! Bring on that snowblower project now.

brantley · Jan 21, 2003

If you're cutting metal, don't leave me in suspense./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Post some pictures of your test cuts when you get a chance.

JimMc · Jan 21, 2003

Congratulations!!! Makes a project more fun when you also made the some of the tools. Does your software generate G-code programs? Different machines use different codes for the on/off. Most software allows you to change the commands to the correct ones.

Enjoy!

jimgerken · Feb 16, 2003

First few small parts produced. These are all cut from 14 gauge sheet steel (0.078" thick). The shapes were bent after plasma cut. The squares on the floor vinyl are 6", for scale.
I am out for better software now. Can't import files to Dancad3d/Danplot. Looking at a couple others. Hope to make the import possible, instead of drawing everything in DANCAD3d. Here's the pic...

brantley · Feb 16, 2003

Looks great!
Are these for a particular project or were these strictly for test? I have about a year to go before I can build my shop building. I am definitely looking forward to when I can build a cnc table.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 17, 2003

Now youve done it! I HAVE to have one for my 1/4 scale train stuff. Keep us informed on further progress.

em14 · Feb 17, 2003

Those are nice looking ... How did you bend them to get such a nice radius ...

jimgerken · Feb 17, 2003

Thanks. The stuff so far has been all for test and expanding the learning, and to progressively work out all the problems. I did just one thing for an actual project so far, actually some frame-stiffening gussets for the plasma table itself. They came out perfect, four of them drawn and cut in about 20 minutes, a little sanding belt time and on they went.
Bending is being done on my Chinese 3in1 sheet metal tool. It aint perfect but it works OK.
1/4 Scale stuff, yea I can see how a couple of those pcs look like truss components on a railroad bridge or something. Triangles are fun to cut, and make for lightened structures still maintaining stiffness, so they seemed like a good place to explore.
New software (Master5) looks promising. I need a Pentium now. More in a week or so...

hazmat · Feb 17, 2003

Looks great! I'm jealous. I was cutting steel angle last weekend with an abrasive wheel in my $30 sears circular saw. Ignorance is truly bliss. Unfortunatley for me as a Mech Eng., I know there is a better way! As my coworker says, always work like a gentleman.

Spencer · Feb 17, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bending is being done on my Chinese 3in1 sheet metal tool. It aint perfect but it works OK.
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Jim, what brand/style sheet metal tool do you have? I have been looking for one and they all seem to be imports. The most reasonable that I have found so far is a 48" box/pan brake from Grizzly