Cnc plasma torch head

[Drandolph]

Sadly i sent this same question to sales and never got a response so I'm hoping someone here might have an answer.


I recently purchased a power plasma cutter 50 from you and i want to outfit it for a CNC machine and I'm looking for a straight torch to mount to my cnc can you provide me with model and pricing options?

[geezer]

I didn't think they made a straight body for the S45 but it appears they do, check out this site for the part numbers etc..

http://trafimetgroup.com/en/products...s45-torch.html

[everlastsupport]

Thanks for searching the web (trafimet website) and posting the link Geezer.

Drandolph, we do not make the torches, we buy them and add them to the units (like most welding companies). As long as you match the Trafimet S45 specs you can use other torches.

Who did you talk to in sales? How did you contact them.

[Drandolph]

I contacted them through the "contact us" email on the website. I've figured out I should be able use anything that matches the s45 specs but considering there is 3 main assemblies (connector, cable, head) and I seem to only find the full assembly with the angled head I was hoping to find someone willing to take my money in exchange for the right part. It also seems like a nice idea for everyone else that has been asking the same question.

I appreciate the help and hope someone out there actually sells this part and/or compatible parts.


If anyone is interested here is the build progress on the project.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...5&referrerid=0

[todmorg]

Dont know about the torch, but check your constant contouring settings in Mach3 setup, it should smooth things out.

[everlastsupport]

I contacted them through the "contact us" email on the website. I've figured out I should be able use anything that matches the s45 specs but considering there is 3 main assemblies (connector, cable, head) and I seem to only find the full assembly with the angled head I was hoping to find someone willing to take my money in exchange for the right part. It also seems like a nice idea for everyone else that has been asking the same question.

I appreciate the help and hope someone out there actually sells this part and/or compatible parts.


If anyone is interested here is the build progress on the project.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...5&referrerid=0

Not sure if we have them, but email sales@everlastwelders.com or performance@everlastwelders.com (latter probably the best). Otherwise, you can takes the connectors from the S45 we added and move them to the new torch. The parts can be ordered as well if you want to keep the old torch intact.

[Titan winch]

Sadly i sent this same question to sales and never got a response so I'm hoping someone here might have an answer.


I recently purchased a power plasma cutter 50 from you and i want to outfit it for a CNC machine and I'm looking for a straight torch to mount to my cnc can you provide me with model and pricing options?

This Torch is a new product out of a new Factory this past year. there is a bit of confusion at this time as it seems from what we are being told that there is possibly a bit of a problem in the workings of this particular torch. There was a Rep out at the Factory this past fall going over some concerns with them in regards to this and one other model.As of yet there has been no definitive answer to the the questions . you would think it would be a no brainer due to the fact that the S45 torch is common so how can a straight body be any different ???
I am not really sure how to answer your question in regards to purchasing one of them . A option is of course to get it directly from Tim at Trafimet USA

Now the confusing part is this ( at least for me). The new Factory is well known under different brand name mig guns and spool guns etc and they actually make most of the major brands torches.
Trafimet has sourced them to start making products for them but i am not sure if this is one that is being made at the new facility or not.
There may be some updates to this that i am not aware of as it is possible that the US Office has more information on this than i have due to the fact that my projects have taken up a lot of my time and to be honest i have not paid any attention to this type of thing as it is not a priority compared to other things we have going on right now.

[everlastsupport]

drandolph,

Do you have a list of parts for your machine. Looks nice, sure others here would be interested. I know I would.

[Drandolph]

I started with this kit on eBay http://bit.ly/zTTUEA
Bought the gear racks from mcmaster.
I'm not 100% that the stepper driver board I got will be my final one but for electronics you need stepper drivers for each motor. 300oz or higher 1/4 shaft motors and a breakout board.
Limit switches and a computer with a real parallel port. USB adaptors won't work and laptop parallel ports don't have the right voltages. I found a 6" linear rail on eBay for $100. The eitire frame is made from 2" sq tubing and the actual rails are 2" aluminum sq tubing. I was able to sorce everything from eBay, mcmaster carr, my local metal supply shop in Oakland and I got my everlast plasma cutter from the store locally. So far my total project cost without the plasma cutter has been $1500

[everlastsupport]

I started with this kit on eBay http://bit.ly/zTTUEA
Bought the gear racks from mcmaster.
I'm not 100% that the stepper driver board I got will be my final one but for electronics you need stepper drivers for each motor. 300oz or higher 1/4 shaft motors and a breakout board.
Limit switches and a computer with a real parallel port. USB adaptors won't work and laptop parallel ports don't have the right voltages. I found a 6" linear rail on eBay for $100. The eitire frame is made from 2" sq tubing and the actual rails are 2" aluminum sq tubing. I was able to sorce everything from eBay, mcmaster carr, my local metal supply shop in Oakland and I got my everlast plasma cutter from the store locally. So far my total project cost without the plasma cutter has been $1500

That is not a bad price for 5x5. So you are ready to cut at $1500 plus computer and plasma machine? And after software learning curve?

[Jake98]

That is an impressive project! Good luck with it, please keep us posted..

[Drandolph]

4'x4'x3" 18 gauge galvanized water pan made by a local metal shop (Since I don't have a giant bender) $175 and it looks good and ready for me to install slats in.

[Jason]

Nice. I still need to make my mill. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the tracks for the wires and how much were they? Also what did you use as track to drive the rails?

[Drandolph]

McMaster-Carr #6867K557 for my sprocket on the motors.
Then McMaster-Carr #6295K232 for the gear rack.

For your cable management its called a drag chain or cable carrier. McMaster carries them but they are very expensive. Check ebay and you can find it much cheaper. One good rule I've learned from drag chains so far is get bigger than you think you need.

For example lets say I'm running 4 Cat5 cables with each cable having a 1/4" diameter size. You would assume I only need a drag chain 1/4" tall by 1" wide. I would double what ever you guess is because the cables need plenty of room to flex inside. Also you can run the drag chain from the center of your axis because that will cover the whole axis when it flexes. They do have a bend radius to look at (if you can find it) So in my case I have 4ft of total travel and my drag chain is 3ft long (1ft for the bend)

As for your mill I would recommend staying away from gear and rack as your method of movement. The resistance you get from a router or end mill bit hitting material causes it to push back creating backlash. Look at threaded rod with a backlash coupler on each motor point. Once again McMaster-Carr and ebay will be your best friends. I built a little 7"x7"x7" mill using linear rails, threaded rod and backlash collars and it runs like a champ.

[todmorg]

McMaster-Carr #6867K557 for my sprocket on the motors.
Then McMaster-Carr #6295K232 for the gear rack.

For your cable management its called a drag chain or cable carrier. McMaster carries them but they are very expensive. Check ebay and you can find it much cheaper. One good rule I've learned from drag chains so far is get bigger than you think you need.

For example lets say I'm running 4 Cat5 cables with each cable having a 1/4" diameter size. You would assume I only need a drag chain 1/4" tall by 1" wide. I would double what ever you guess is because the cables need plenty of room to flex inside. Also you can run the drag chain from the center of your axis because that will cover the whole axis when it flexes. They do have a bend radius to look at (if you can find it) So in my case I have 4ft of total travel and my drag chain is 3ft long (1ft for the bend)

As for your mill I would recommend staying away from gear and rack as your method of movement. The resistance you get from a router or end mill bit hitting material causes it to push back creating backlash. Look at threaded rod with a backlash coupler on each motor point. Once again McMaster-Carr and ebay will be your best friends. I built a little 7"x7"x7" mill using linear rails, threaded rod and backlash collars and it runs like a champ.

The problem with threaded rods or ball screws is they start to flex and whip at high rpms if the length/diameter ratio gets too low. I've had great luck with zero lash racks at over 1400 IPM, using servos. The servos will spin faster and stronger than steppers, and I still use about a 6/1 stepdown timing belt between the servos and drive gears.

[performance]

I just noticed this thread...WE do carry an S-45 machine torch. Their in stock. I am not sure which connector they have though. But they are available with different ones...just depending on what is in stock.

[Jason]

any experience or knowledge on using a belt drive system for movement? I use to work on envelope machines doing repairs, setups and adjustments.The gear drives had ~1/16 play either way and the parts that we ran belts on had no play.

[everlastsupport]

I just noticed this thread...WE do carry an S-45 machine torch. Their in stock. I am not sure which connector they have though. But they are available with different ones...just depending on what is in stock.

I thought you had told me we had them in stock, but was not sure, so I told him to email you.

[Drandolph]

So I just sent of an email in hopes of seeing about getting a straight torch. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

[Drandolph]

I got one response email when I sent it out to performance@everlastwelders.com and sales@everlastwelders.com but I couldn't get a response to make sure it was the straight head and if it included the connector and cable assembly. So I have emailed sales@trafimetusa.com in hopes of getting a response from them.

So far from my research it looks like i can use Part #PA1581
http://trafimetgroup.com/en/products...s45-torch.html

I'll keep everyone updated on how it works out and if i manage to get a torch for the CNC plasma table.