Talon2006 CNC Plasma table build

[Talon2006]

I know.......i keep dicking up your thread with questions about an over the counter solution but I am interested in that comment. What was it that the pages had against the crossfire machines? Was it so do with the single arm on the non crossfire pro version? That looked janky to me. I would love to know this before i buy one . It seems everywhere I look is practically spammed saying how awesome they are.

I don’t recall specifics... but it was mostly around the software from being glitchy and the torch heigh controller not working so well....

but I was mostly looking for excuses to justify building my own so I am probably not the best to ask. Lol

 

[Talon2006]

I needed an enclosure. Ended up ordering a server rack off amazon for around 140 bucks. Of course my plate was 2” too long from fitting inside so I got to take all of the electronics off and cutting it down. Not it fits pretty nice.

I plan on using aviation connectors so I can unplug everything and move this easily if need be. I was hoping to get them all soldered up today but my soldering iron is dead. I’ll run to HF and grab a new one tomorrow and hopefully will be ready to put this on the table.
i am very close to getting motion on the table. The biggest thing slowing me down is my current workshop situation.

 

[bgaidan]

I may have missed it - what are you using for rails/guides/rollers/whatever?


I picked up this router pretty cheap a few month back and one of my plans was to convert it to plasma at some point. I think the bones are good enough to possibly just come up with some type of modular table to put on it. All of the frame is extruded and then the guide rails are 1/4" plate with skateboard bearings and rack & pinion drive with 4:1 (I think) reduction from the servos.

I think it'd be plenty rigid for plasma, though I don't know if the drive/guides would hold up to the environment.

Ideally I'd like to make somewhat modular setup where I could swap between router, plasma and maybe even laser relatively easily.

 

[Talon2006]

I may have missed it - what are you using for rails/guides/rollers/whatever?


I picked up this router pretty cheap a few month back and one of my plans was to convert it to plasma at some point. I think the bones are good enough to possibly just come up with some type of modular table to put on it. All of the frame is extruded and then the guide rails are 1/4" plate with skateboard bearings and rack & pinion drive with 4:1 (I think) reduction from the servos.

I think it'd be plenty rigid for plasma, though I don't know if the drive/guides would hold up to the environment.

Ideally I'd like to make somewhat modular setup where I could swap between router, plasma and maybe even laser relatively easily.

Mine is using cnc router parts skate bearings and 1/4” rollers. I also have 3:1 reduction.

your setup should be fine. I couldn’t see your pics though.

there are a few people who have had a dual machine. I would like to do the same at some point.

update for today... didn’t get any work done. Realized I need 5 pin aviation connectors so I could have a way to ground the shielded cable for the motor wires. So I ended up ordering 200 bucks worth of stuff to finish off my cabinet.

 

[bgaidan]

Mine is using cnc router parts skate bearings and 1/4” rollers. I also have 3:1 reduction.

your setup should be fine. I couldn’t see your pics though.

there are a few people who have had a dual machine. I would like to do the same at some point.

update for today... didn’t get any work done. Realized I need 5 pin aviation connectors so I could have a way to ground the shielded cable for the motor wires. So I ended up ordering 200 bucks worth of stuff to finish off my cabinet.

Are you using a gear rack or screws or belts?

See if these work...

 

[Talon2006]

Are you using a gear rack or screws or belts?

See if these work...

I had a feeling I remembered your screen name.

My carragies look like they are the exact same as yours... The gear reduction might also be cnc router parts... but they look a tad different.

I am using the gear racks as well. Our setups are basically the same

 

[bgaidan]

I had a feeling I remembered your screen name.

My carragies look like they are the exact same as yours... The gear reduction might also be cnc router parts... but they look a tad different.

I am using the gear racks as well. Our setups are basically the same

I found out after the fact that mine's a KRMx02 - http://www.kronosrobotics.com/krmx02

I went to buy a machine vise from this guy and ended up with 2 vises, a rotary table and a CNC router. I told him I wasn't really interested in it and then he said he'd let it go for $500 so then I was interested in it. I dropped another $300 or so on a motion controller to get the gecko to work over USB and then another couple hundred on new cable chains and misc parts to fix stuff that had been neglected. Overall I'm only in to it for $800. Even came with a Mach3 license. The guy that designs it and sells the plans and parts of the kit says it runs around $4k just in parts to build it....so I'm doing ok!

The gear rack setup appears to have little to no backlash, which is great. I just wasn't sure how it'll hold up with the grunge off a plasma....but I guess it wouldn't be much worse than the fine dust from cutting MDF.

 

[Talon2006]

I found out after the fact that mine's a KRMx02 - http://www.kronosrobotics.com/krmx02

I went to buy a machine vise from this guy and ended up with 2 vises, a rotary table and a CNC router. I told him I wasn't really interested in it and then he said he'd let it go for $500 so then I was interested in it. I dropped another $300 or so on a motion controller to get the gecko to work over USB and then another couple hundred on new cable chains and misc parts to fix stuff that had been neglected. Overall I'm only in to it for $800. Even came with a Mach3 license. The guy that designs it and sells the plans and parts of the kit says it runs around $4k just in parts to build it....so I'm doing ok!

The gear rack setup appears to have little to no backlash, which is great. I just wasn't sure how it'll hold up with the grunge off a plasma....but I guess it wouldn't be much worse than the fine dust from cutting MDF.

Basically from what I have read, the gear rack system is the preferred system for CNC plasma. The only other thing that is preferred is liner rails... but that essentially just causes a big argument that goes nowhere. The CRS skate bearings is a pretty proven design in the CNC plasma world.

 

[Talon2006]

Some pics.... I have a love hate relationship with aviation connectors. I started out trying to solder them and was so pissed off I was ready to throw shit. A little more practice and I’m getting much better.

i am setting up Love you too electronics box so I can unplug all my wires to the limit switches and motors and pull it out if I ever need to.

Cardboard box to protect my wife's dining room table...:p

 

[infernozx]

I started using a parallel port, it sucked. Every. Single. Time. I tried to use it, I'd have to tear it appart and place chase the wires.

So I bought one of these from china, I think it was $6. It was a pain in the dick to solder up, but it works great now. much more robust.

 

[Talon2006]

Debate time... I am sure I am going to build a larger table at a future date. Somewhere between 1-3 years from now is my estimate. Should i make the motor and limit switch wires larger now, so I can just move them over later, or should i cut everything to length, and just make new wires later.

 

[Firstram]

Make them longer with a nice over/under coil at the control box. Nothing wrong with excess wire if it looks neat and doesn't cause interference or feedback.

 

[CarterKraft]

Some pics.... I have a love hate relationship with aviation connectors. I started out trying to solder them and was so pissed off I was ready to throw shit. A little more practice and I’m getting much better.


Cardboard box to protect my wife's dining room table...:p

Other than physical size any reason to not use Deutsch connectors. No soldering and they can be easily unpinned with out removal.
https://www.te.com/usa-en/products/...on/deutsch-hd30-connectors.html?tab=pgp-story

 

[Talon2006]

Other than physical size any reason to not use Deutsch connectors. No soldering and they can be easily unpinned with out removal.
https://www.te.com/usa-en/products/...on/deutsch-hd30-connectors.html?tab=pgp-story

Essentially a lack of research. Also, the aviation connectors are way easier to fix to a panel vs the deutsch connectors.

I finally got my technique down on soldering them, but it is a huge time sucker.

 

[Talon2006]

https://youtu.be/UMU9Ovu2eLE

this says it all for the update!

 

[Talon2006]

I have been meaning to update this thread. A lot has happened since then. Last I had gotten this thing moving with the controller. Since then I have moved from my one car apartment garage to a three car garage. I love it!!! This table is up and running now. This is what has hapened.

Control: It is now running PLASMAC 2.8 from linux cnc. I have probably cut close to 100 sheets on this so far and have not had a crash yet. Linux is defiently the way to go and has been rock solid.

Z Axis, I ended up buying one off ebay. I hate it.. but it works for now. It has shown to be the lease reliable piece of my table. I have also noticed I get a little Z axis shake that I didn't have it before. I plan on making a new one, but that will come after I get my CNC mill running.... yeah I have another toy but that is for another thread. I also really wish I hadded a Z axis homing switch, and also think I want to add a better torch crash detection..... just incase.

Water table: Ended up bending this up, then having to weld all of it up. I have a 55 gallon drum that holds all the water, and I use air pressure to fill the table. When I want to drain I have a HF air vacuum pump that I use to assist in draining the table. The next table I build I want to have slats that are easier to remove for clean up, I also want to have a way larger drain system. The only other feature I wish to add is to have the water table have a straight edge, that I can use to push sheets up against for easy indexing.

Machine Torch: I ended up just buying a hypertherm machine torch instead of using my hand torch. Defiantly happy that I did, and it just made life easier.

Outside of a few things I have said above I really like this table, it worked out well. I managed to fall into a big bout of good luck and have been getting a few cutting jobs. I am already looking at building a 5x10 table as it will greatly help with my current job, and I have already had to turn down a few other jobs.

 

[Talon2006]

Yeah... I’m up to something....

 

[Dethmachinefab]

Yeah... I’m up to something....

Hell yea! This looks like the start of something rad.

Small bit of advise when building something like that without a flat surface. Cross two string lines corner to corner and check that it's in plane. If it's straight they will just touch in center.

 

[Talon2006]

Hell yea! This looks like the start of something rad.

Small bit of advise when building something like that without a flat surface. Cross two string lines corner to corner and check that it's in plane. If it's straight they will just touch in center.

thanks! I got that one side together and realized it will be way too tall. I’m gonna cut the tacs and take 7” out of each leg.

incase you didn’t come to your own conclusion I’m building a 5x10 plasma table now.

I might just order that evolution saw now too..

 

[Dethmachinefab]

thanks! I got that one side together and realized it will be way too tall. I’m gonna cut the tacs and take 7” out of each leg.

incase you didn’t come to your own conclusion I’m building a 5x10 plasma table now.

I might just order that evolution saw now too..

Yea, I knew straight away what I was looking at. I'll be following along. This is something I need to build and am looking forward to benefiting from the r+d in your well documented build thread.

 

[Talon2006]

Yea, I knew straight away what I was looking at. I'll be following along. This is something I need to build and am looking forward to benefiting from the r+d in your well documented build thread.

I won’t lie... even though I have dumped 1-2k into this already, I am tempted to pull the trigger on the starlabs 5x10.

Time is kicking my ass!!!!

 

[CarterKraft]

Time is kicking my ass!!!!

That evolution saw will help a lot. Mine is not as dialed in as my 4x6 but it is infinitely faster.


Get a miter saw stand and your back will really thank you. I use the cheap one from HF with a plywood base for the saw, works bad ass with those roller infeed and outfeed stands.

 

[Talon2006]

Hell yea! This looks like the start of something rad.

Small bit of advise when building something like that without a flat surface. Cross two string lines corner to corner and check that it's in plane. If it's straight they will just touch in center.

Round two....

I forget if I said so, but after I finished the first time I realized
mh table would be way too tall. I forgot to measure that in cad. Took it apart and am taking 7” out I each leg. The top
Of My table should be at 40” now.

dethmahin: I’m using you string idea!

 

[CarterKraft]

Round two....

I forget if I said so, but after I finished the first time I realized
mh table would be way too tall. I forgot to measure that in cad. Took it apart and am taking 7” out I each leg. The top
Of My table should be at 40” now.

dethmahin: I’m using you string idea!

Garbage in - Garbage out LOL

 

[Talon2006]

Yeah, I have been busy...

I love havin a cnc mill. Hoping I finish Welding the water pan and caster mounts then paint it.

got a nice robin egg blue color... it had a good discount lol.

 

[Talon2006]

More pics!

 

[Talon2006]

Got it painted today.

Did the bottom first, and that sucked big fucking dick.... I need a forklift.

But got the table done...

and the electronics box, I forget if I told hall,

then ran out of paint....


well funny story, I was going to do this in a baby blue because it was on the clearance rack... but I went back an got the red because that’s what I really wanted.

well... baby blue saved me. Painted the water tank blue.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

What are you doing for a slat rack? Drop in system of some sort?

 

[Talon2006]

What are you doing for a slat rack? Drop in system of some sort?

Yes.
On my current table I have two mounts and the slats against the sides of the tables is most of the holding points. None of it is welded to the table.


What I want to do for this one is to have an entire drop in system, that I can easily pull out. We will see what I end up using.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

Yes.
On my current table I have two mounts and the slats against the sides of the tables is most of the holding points. None of it is welded to the table.


What I want to do for this one is to have an entire drop in system, that I can easily pull out. We will see what I end up using.

Its a great idea, easy cleaning. I can't stand cleaning out around the torchmate rack and bolt together water table on my tm. Just be sure to bond it to the table with a ground strap.

Keep up the good work!