[Apples]

I have started to build my plasma table. I have used 65x65x2.5mm galvanised s.h.s. The size of the table is 3.5meters x 2meters. It is huge! It will be able to cut a full sized sheet of material, which is 3mx1.5m.

I will take some photo's and post them up. The basic frame has just about been completed. I have 6 castor wheels on it to move it around, four of which are in the corners and are locking wheels.

[ynneb]

I can hardy wait for the pictures.

[InventIt]

Yeh, lets see some pics!!!

[Apples]

Here are some pics of the table.

3500x2000x900mm.

[Apples]

how do i upload a pic?

i just went to browse and select the pic and submit reply and thats all that happened.

[InventIt]

is your pic file too big? Try it again.

[Apples]

here is a pic

[svenakela]

I like your welding helmet.

-Sven

[ynneb]

I dont know how plasma cutters work. But I was wondering if there was going to be a problem with cutting through those cross beams. Would it be an idea to have strips of steel in turned sideways in the middle. If you had slots at each end you could replace the strips as needed.

Maybe plasma cutting isnt like oxy cutting!

[InventIt]

WOW! That's a Monster! Looks good.

[dgalaxy]

i was wondering the same thing man that is a awsome table

[Apples]

Joe

I plan on supporting the rack, by bolting it to some angle iron and then bolting the angle iron to the side of the table. The rack will hang witht the teeth down to stop 'crap' from falling in. Then i will most likley have a direct drive setup from the motor shaft to pinion to rack. The motor will hang on a hinge below the rack. Then I will put a spring up to the carrage/truck, which will slide up and down the table and also support the motor, whilst providing contact for the pinion to the rack.

Hope you know what I mean.


i need help on deciding what hardware and electronics to use. I have some cash now and I might just spend some to get the table going. At this stage I was thinking of just starting off with an oxy setup first while cash is low.

[CanopyFx]

I am working on a few drawings that use the same idea. The only difference is I am making a timing belt reduction box to allow for a 10:1 gear reduction. I will post some pictures as soon as they are done.

Thanks
Joe

[IJ.]

Originally posted by Apples
It is huge!

Understatement Apples !

Well done so far I'll follow this one with interest.
(said it before and I'll say it yet again I really admire you guys that scratch build a machine as my recent retrofit has been an enormous amount of work/thought to complete)

[Apples]

i am going to have 4 lengths of angle iron welded onto those cross braces and then every 2inches or so cut a slot into the angle and insert some flat steel. The flat steel i will use would have to be around 75mm or 3" wide. that means that i should have 75mm of clearance between the bottom of my sheet of steel that i am cutting and those cross braces. Hopefully this is enough clearance.

Yeah that is a pretty awesome looking welding helmet, it is an automatic darkening one too.!

[Apples]

Here is a new photo of my plasma table.
Since the last photo, I have grinded back all the welds and painted the frame with one coat of charcoal hammerite paint.

She is slowly coming along.

Still deciding whether to use linear bearings with shafts and pillow block supports. Or to use the 'dual-l-vee' / bishop wise carver bearings.

What are everyone's opinions.

Apples :cheers:

[DSL PWR]

How are things going? I've looked at the dual vee specs, and I think they may be overkill for a plasma table. But if you used them, you would have a killer router!

[Alex S.A]

Hi everyone.
Apples,
What you're still deciding is about the way you will make the support to put the sheet to be cut on the table?

[Apples]

Going to use angle iron to support the sheets of steel. Building has stopped now as i have to fininsh putting up the front fence, retaining wall, lay the turf etc. etc. , Give me a couple months for further progress.

Apples

[DSL PWR]

I know how that goes, I'm currently building a shed, so a converted mill and plasma table will have to wait.