[millman52]

Big-D,

Here this will make it very simple for you to start a thread in CNC Plasma, EDM and Waterjet Machines to discuss your ideas & ask questions: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/newthr...newthread&f=62 Once you build your first piece then move over to: Plasma, EDM and other similar machine Project Log, & Keep everyone updated there. The more information & pictures you can post the better others can tell what you are doing & in turn help you with decisions.

[Weldtutor]

Good post in #261 above Millman52.

That should help folks to start new discussions or post questions not related to a particular project log.
Certainly feel free to ask questions in a project log, that pertain to that project, or if you have difficulty starting a new thread. Most members here are quite flexible.

Questions & discussions = learning!

Info you posted in #258 is very informative Millman52.

[Weldtutor]

Just so happens one already had your name on it.
-also already thinking about how to the fourth axis

See this thread Mike,
for a fourth & fifth axis picture idea in post #10!

[Weldtutor]

Rearing horse in picture is 14" tall.

Standard bred is 15" overall length.

Each is welded to a small base.

[mlaws1172]

Bruce
Keep the pictures coming!
mike

[Weldtutor]

Wolf pictured here is 12" tall by 10" & sits on a base.

Angel fish is 8" long, edged in brass, with a hook for wall mounting.

Both have a moderate degree if intricacy & were cut quite well by the chain driven machine in this project log.

[Mongkol]

Hi Weldtutor,
From your picture. What material do you cut? SUS or steel. Why do your dog picture show black colour? Do you paint? I feel it has a beautiful surface.

Mongkol

[Weldtutor]

What material do you cut? Do you paint? I feel it has a beautiful surface.

Thanks Mongkol.

The wolf (dog) is spray painted with a "hammertone black" paint that gives a hammer textured surface.

Fish is polished & swirl ground, then given 3 clear coats of lacquer.

Normal mild carbon steel (Not Stainless) is used for both items pictured.

[Weldtutor]

The heron pictured is 38" tall overall.

Rooster is 20" tall.

[Weldtutor]

The 2 little guys pictured here are each 4" long.

Patterns for them were developed in an attempt to CNC plasma cut quite small items with accuracy.

For fun you might want to print the picture & search for the differences in each of the items.

If you find at least 6 major changes you deserve a beverage. :cheers::cheers:

[Weldtutor]

This "Welcome Duck" is 22" wide.

The bird & text are slightly modified from the DXF that Switcher posted here.

[mlaws1172]

Keep them coming Bruce, it is nice to see what your cutting.

mike

[Weldtutor]

nice to see what your cutting.
mike

Thanks for the interest Mike.

This little old coupe has a 4" wheelbase.

Although "Gecko Drives" are doing a great job in my machines controls, the holder pictured here will actually be displaying antique auto plates. The coupe is to follow that theme.

Kerf between the running board & body is a nice .040" gap.

[Weldtutor]

The horse head is 18" wide.

A steel shield shape, will be welded to the left straight edge, so the head projects out for a wall display.

Another member requested the DXF for this which is posted in the "Share Your Files" forum.

[Khalid]

Dear Weld Tutor
After a long long time , i set and watch ur thread...I built my first machine taking some of your ideas ... Now i saw ur progress and was amazed how trickly u used chain system on ur router... U r genious man...

One thing i want to know... what is the accuracy of your machine..and are u getting the circle exact size and round in shape

I think u r the one here at cnczone who is using chain system...

I love ur machine..

Best Regards

[Weldtutor]

After a long long time , i set and watch ur thread...I built my first machine taking some of your ideas ...

Thanks for the kind words Khalid. Sharing ideas certainly makes CNC Zone a great resource.

My chain driven machine does cut circles that are round. When the plasma consumables (electrode & nozzle) are in good condition accuracy tends to be in the order of .050". I am very pleased with the cut quality & accuracy!

There are several other plasma cutting machines shown elsewhere on CNC Zone that are now using chain drives.

[Weldtutor]

This is the cut from a couple posts earlier.

It is now mounted to a wall plaque for display.

[drafterman]

Weldtutor,
I guess you are still not using a THC...does Sheetcam automate your pierce height and cut height code (and dwell times) or do you have to manually perform this in the g-code? I am converting an old machine over to plasma and I am using a roller head like yours so I am trying to get this all straight in my head. Please advise.

[Weldtutor]

I guess you are still not using a THC...does Sheetcam automate your pierce height and cut height code (and dwell times)

My machine is still using the torch mount (roller head) as pictured earlier in the thread.

Sheetcam allows you to make a "TOOL SETTING" in which you specifiy pierce height & cut height. As well you can set preheat time, pierce delay, & pause at end of cut etc.

These variables are then included in the code that is created, so manual insertion is not required.

I wish you well with your conversion.

[drafterman]

Since your torch is fixed in relation to the transfer balls ( I would guess that the fixed distance is your cutting height), how do you judge your pierce height? I would have thought that you bring the z axis down enough to compress the springs to account for sheet warpage, etc. and that would not leave any accommodation for piercing...please advise.

drafterman