Project 1 from EmptyNester. Category: Custom Shop Tools - CNC Table

[aaxiss]

Kinda sounds to me like a bind. You started in the center of the table think you may have some sad in the center maybe s and the extra pressure on the gears is causing the gears to click a bit?

Just a thought

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[EmptyNester]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I found a reference so I could start learning G-code. It looks like the G-code never turned off the torch, so I'm guessing it was due to the noise on the interface from the motors when they cut the corners and doubled speed and made quick direction changes.

I didn't put a ferrite on the BOB -> THC cable yet. That's probably the first step. If that doesn't do it, I guess I can delay the torch off in software (probably start with 250 ms and take it up from there). I'd prefer to address the noise, but I think I could end up cutting/wasting a lot of steel getting scope captures to figure out what's going on.

I think that the cut rate was way too slow. I had been trying to find a good chart to give me a starting point for cutting speeds and amperage settings based on thickness. I finally found a decent starting point on Eagle Plasma's web page:
http://eagleplasma.com/4x4system.html

It recommends 240 ipm @ 30 amps for 16 ga. I cut the 18 ga at 10 ipm @ 35 amps.

[EmptyNester]

Taking all the advice, I checked all the motor settings. It turns out that the Y axis had a different acceleration that the X/A. I didn't think that would make a difference, but I set the Y to match the X/A anyway. They are all set the same except the max speed on the Z is much lower.

I then taped a 1:1 image down and manually positioned the torchhead at multiple points on it. That all seemed to line up properly.

I tried to cut again, and I remembered to turn the THC on in Mach before I started. I also up'ed the cutting voltage by about 3/4 volt. This is what I got:



It's a perfect match to the pattern. My best guess is that the torch did move the metal because it was too low before the THC was turned on. I guess that was a lesson in the value of the THC.

My wife is happy with the result, so I can be assured of continued "enabling"

One other thing that is interesting is that having up'ed the voltage 3/4 volt, it seemed I had more spatter on the top at pierce points. So, I'm impressed with the precision of the control. It makes an argument for setting cutting voltage in "counts" instead of volts since it has seven times the resolution.

I did have an interesting though on the THC. All I've used it on is 16 ga. I'm wondering if any aspect of the voltage behavior (other than being at a different voltage) will change on thicker metal.

Thanks all for the help.

[sportbike]

My wife is happy with the result, so I can be assured of continued "enabling"

My wife was discussing finding a new hobby the other day....up pops a plasmacam and she was like "that's neat". I talked to her a bit about a plasma table and she was actually into it. She is an accountant, so this is totally different than her "normal" day, which is why I think she is sort f into it.
I told her that if she wants to get into Metal Art, I fully support her and will do what I can to enable her to get started.

If this takes off, I may be building a plasma table and hell, even breaking ground on a new garage by the fall... wouldn't want my wife to have to work out in an old drafty garage would I?

[ShaneJackson]

You have mastered the force young Jedi. You have demonstrated mind control... making her want a new shop and a plasma table.

[travis]

took my wife to see a plasma cutter demo at a car show shes like you "need' one of them then i show her the price on a blue boxed and the price on a powerultra half the price 3 in 1 shes like save for it lol

[EmptyNester]

My wife was discussing finding a new hobby the other day....up pops a plasmacam and she was like "that's neat". I talked to her a bit about a plasma table and she was actually into it. She is an accountant, so this is totally different than her "normal" day, which is why I think she is sort f into it.
I told her that if she wants to get into Metal Art, I fully support her and will do what I can to enable her to get started.

If this takes off, I may be building a plasma table and hell, even breaking ground on a new garage by the fall... wouldn't want my wife to have to work out in an old drafty garage would I?

Excellent work! All I can say is "keep working it"

Today my wife had said she wants a new railing on the front porch. The existing one is wood and she wants to stick woth wood. I said that I can leave a framed opening in it for a laser cut design. Now she's really excited and trying to think what she wants.