[jeepsterjc]

I had read somewhere about a torch head being retained by earth magnets and mounted as a break-away fixture. It would be easy to attach a micro switch to the mount to trigger an emergency stop. Have you heard of this before? I wish I could find the site that talked about it, now...

[jeepsterjc]

My torch head os held on by 4 magnets, and 2 locating pins. If it jams up, it just falls off

Perfect- could you post a pic for me?

[Danno]

Here you go !!
Make sure you use rare earth magnets. Also, the pins only stick out just enough to locate the plate. If they stick out too far the torch may not break away in a side collision.
The magnets are pressed and loctited into the aluminum torch holder, and the plate that is mounted to my Z axis is made from mild steel (CRS).
I didn't bother putting a limit switch on it, because the unit will shut down if it doesn't see an arc. It wouldn't hurt to have one though.
I'm hoping to get my plasma quench sorted out soon so I don't get rust like in the second picture.
At the moment , I'm trying a Sodium Carbonate based product but I'm not sure how well it will work.
Time will tell !!
Dan

[jeepsterjc]

Here you go !!
Make sure you use rare earth magnets. Also, the pins only stick out just enough to locate the plate. If they stick out too far the torch may not break away in a side collision.
The magnets are pressed and loctited into the aluminum torch holder, and the plate that is mounted to my Z axis is made from mild steel (CRS).
I didn't bother putting a limit switch on it, because the unit will shut down if it doesn't see an arc. It wouldn't hurt to have one though.
I'm hoping to get my plasma quench sorted out soon so I don't get rust like in the second picture.
At the moment , I'm trying a Sodium Carbonate based product but I'm not sure how well it will work.
Time will tell !!
Dan

<edit> I was so absorbed oogling the pics I didn't read your message! ... sorry! </edit>

Awesome, Dan. Thank you very much. That's a nice set up. I'll try to do the same. Are the magnets anything special?

[Danno]

I mentioned in my last post to use rare earth (neodymium) because they are super strong.
Dan

[jeepsterjc]

I mentioned in my last post to use rare earth (neodymium) because they are super strong.
Dan

Yeah ... my brain didn't process the entire post all at once. Thanks.

How big are your magnets. I'm looking at these:

2 Neodymium Magnets 3/4 x 1/2 inch Disc N48 Rare Earth | eBay

They are 3/4 x 1/2 tall. I could buy a 1/2 dozen of them...

[Danno]

Yeah ... my brain didn't process the entire post all at once. Thanks.

How big are your magnets. I'm looking at these:

2 Neodymium Magnets 3/4 x 1/2 inch Disc N48 Rare Earth | eBay

They are 3/4 x 1/2 tall. I could buy a 1/2 dozen of them...

Sure, they'll work !! I wouldn't use 6 of them though.
I used 1/2" dia magnets X 4.
These are 3/4 ", which means they will have about 2x the surface area, and double the pull.
How will you mount them if they are 1/2" thick?
Mine were 3/8 thick, so I used 1/2 thick aluminum to mount them in. I machined a pocket with a bottom.
If you use 1/2 thick magnets you will need 5/8 thick aluminum, which IMHO is getting thick, but will work.
Dan

[jeepsterjc]

I found the same magnets that you're using on ebay, Danno, and they should be here soon.

I wasn't aware of the difference between THC and a floating torch head. I thought both functions were basically operated from the same part of the control program... So I hope I can quickly figure out how to get both of them working. I bought the hypertherm connect cable with the Bladrunner 620 package to make things easier, too.

I just bought the Basic 2D Plasma Cutter Software Bundle today from candcnc and it will likely arrive about the same time as the main order from candcnc.com.

I'm waiting for one package of common flanged ball bearings to arrive and then I'll start putting some of the small parts together... I'm held up on the order for the ITVAAG and S V-Rail stock. The guy won't get back to me. The PCB Linear distributor doesn't answer emails or return phone calls... Not a great way to keep a customer happy... (wedge)

Without the v rails I can't really get the table drawing fully sorted out...

[jeepsterjc]

Almost everything I've ordered has arrived. The Candcnc Bladrunner system arrived and looks awesome. It was well packaged and looks to be very well put together.

My pbclinear v-groove rail goodies are still not here and my Acklands-Grainger order for some small bushings seems to have been shipped to a big black hole... probably the same place as the pbclinear rails.

On a positive note, I'm about to purchase a Hypertherm 45 and wonder what I should buy. A machine torch setup or a hand torch version. I don't know how often I'd want to cut using a hand torch. Do the collars that hold the hand torch hold rigidly? I'm thinking I'll go with the hand torch version.

[Danno]

Almost everything I've ordered has arrived. The Candcnc Bladrunner system arrived and looks awesome. It was well packaged and looks to be very well put together.

My pbclinear v-groove rail goodies are still not here and my Acklands-Grainger order for some small bushings seems to have been shipped to a big black hole... probably the same place as the pbclinear rails.

On a positive note, I'm about to purchase a Hypertherm 45 and wonder what I should buy. A machine torch setup or a hand torch version. I don't know how often I'd want to cut using a hand torch. Do the collars that hold the hand torch hold rigidly? I'm thinking I'll go with the hand torch version.

That's a difficult decision. I was going to use the hand torch for my machine, but bought a machine torch also. If you're using it on a table, then get the machine torch version, and later on you can always buy a hand torch for it. I wouldn't use the hand torch on a machine for several reasons. The main one is that I didn't want to mess with the wiring of my plasma machine. Second, the Bladerunner system plugs right into the back of the machine. Using the machine torch makes for a cleaner more professional looking setup.
If I need to use my plasma for hand cutting, I don't have to take my machine appart.
Dan

[millman52]

That's what we decided to do- go with the CandCnc Bladerunner 620-4 system. By the time I had added all of the small stuff into a 4 620 oz motor system with thc, powwer supply, enclosure and cabling the cost was close. And for the extra amount I know I'll have a well supported electronics package.

Jeep, That's what I have been trying to tell others since before there were bladerunner kits.

If you really take time to compair apples to apples. right down to the cherry micro switches & heat shrink tubing. Candcnc's kits are pretty hard to beat