CNC Plasma cutting table

[Sgbarker]

I bought a plasma cutter and then decided that I needed to build a CNC table for it. I have part 1 posted and will have more soon

[Sgbarker]

Here’s part 2... I cover the 3D parts that I made for the unit.

[wizard69]

Nice videos and a very nice machine build.

Maybe I missed it but what is the working area size? By the way I hope you haveafull enclosure plan for the electronics, they look rather exposed in the videos.

[Sgbarker]

The water pan is 29”x50” so the working area is just a little smaller, maybe an inch in each direction. Yeah, I’m going to put a recessed clear cover over the face and there is protection behind the panel where the electronics are mounted...

[Rikk]

I would love to have one of these in my shop. I don't quite have the room for one that big, but I could see myself using a 24" x 24" unit A LOT. What do you guess that you have into it cost wise?

[Sgbarker]

That’s a really good question, I haven’t sat down and figured it out yet. The cost for me was in the controller, motors, drivers and power supplies. The framework and gantries were not very expensive. If I had to guess, I would say less than $1500...

[Rikk]

That’s a really good question, I haven’t sat down and figured it out yet. The cost for me was in the controller, motors, drivers and power supplies. The framework and gantries were not very expensive. If I had to guess, I would say less than $1500...

That's a rough idea, which was what I was curious about. I know things will vary, but a ballpark idea gives a person a budget to start with. Some of my projects have exceeded my guestimated budget by multiples of 5, so I like to be prepared.

[Sgbarker]

That happens to me a lot too!!😀

[Sgbarker]

This video show how I did the Torch height controller interface to my Hypertherm powermax 900.

DIY CNC plasma cutter part 3

[jdurand]

Obviously in your case it isn't a problem, but when using multiple switch mode power supplies like that you can run into issues with inrush current. That's like the starting current on a motor. Power supplies usually limit that current to 50 amps for 1-2 cycles of the power main so wire heating isn't as much an issue as the power switch blowing up.

A place I worked at was testing lots of production units with those power supplies. They were plugging them into a 6 outlet power strip on the test bench one at a time and that always worked. For some reason a person (NOT me) turned off the switch on the power strip and then back on with all 6 devices plugged in. The power strip blew up in his hand.

Don't do that!