Plasma Table Build - Plasma Bot 4.0

[SeanMurphy265]

I DE
I paid extra to have the kit pre-wired. I figured by the time I purchased the cables and some type of enclosure I was not going to save much money. All that I should have to wire is the plasma torch.

[cpierce18]

Wiring the plasma torch should be a snap. I did it with my PP-50 hooked to my cnc table. If you look at the picture of the PP-50, the front of the machine at the bottom there are a couple hookups for air, torch, pilot arc and ground clamp. The connector is a 2 prong screw on type connector. With the connector unscrewed you will see the 2 male prongs inside the terminal. If you connect these 2 prongs together, it completes the circuit and activates the torch.

Now lets back up to your breakout-board… or the outputs on your control box. I’m not sure what they look like as I’ve never worked with the Probotix setup. I’ll explain how it works on my system. I currently have a 48”x96” self-designed CNC plasma table with the Low Cost Torch Height Controller, but prior I did not have the THC installed.

Without a THC I needed to hookup a relay to one of the outputs on my breakout-board. I think the one I purchased was a DC relay for around 8-10 bucks. The relay was hooked up to an output on my breakout-board, and from the 2 terminals on the relay are wired to the 2 terminals in the torch terminal I mentioned above.

The way it works is this. When Mach3 runs your code and it sees to fire the torch, it will activate one of your outputs, which in turn will close the circuit on your relay, which in turn will close the circuit on your torch terminal on your plasma cutting machine which will activate the torch.


Wiring my system up with the Low Cost Torch Height Control wasn’t much more difficult. Although it did entail me opening up the PP-50 and wiring into existing terminals. Mainly the raw voltage flowing between the torch and the work piece (ground), and wiring internally to the torch on screw on terminal. It was just a little time consuming. Currently it works like a charm. It cuts through ¼” plate at 45 amps 40 inches per minute and leave virtually no bevel. You will just need to fine-tune your settings.

[SeanMurphy265]

I ordered my tubing today from Shapiro Metals in their Ebay store. They let me combine my order so shipping cost will be $100.00. The total came out to $389.60. I saved around $100.00, and the tubing is already to cut (will see how that goes). Hopefully the tubing will arrive on Friday so I can spend the weekend building the table.

[acourtjester]

HI All
Here is a video of where I am at with my plasma table build. Mounted the X & Y motors and tested their operation they ran smooth still need to tune the motors up for speed and acceleration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKR9z...1&feature=plcp

Have fun
Tom

[SeanMurphy265]

This thing has been a PTA keeping square! If I do this again I would go with 3 linear actuators! They are expensive, but much easier!!!!

[zoama]

Is there a shop in the works ?

[geezer]

This thing has been a PTA keeping square! If I do this again I would go with 3 linear actuators! They are expensive, but much easier!!!!

Hi Sean,,I don't understand your comment about keeping it square,,, are we talking about the table base or the rails that sit on top the base and have the toothed track on them.??

[SeanMurphy265]

The table is square, but one of the middle legs is out of line.