Re: Open Source plasma CNC table design
We are probably one of one CNC plasma mfg that actually machines almost all components in house. The electronics we use come from CandCNC but we invested heavily into CNC milling (VMCs and bridge mills) and turning centers (Mazak lathes). The best part is 95% of all our equipment is actually paid off so our overhead is very small. 8020 and extrusions like it do not start out strait. Even the machined extrusions will twist and bow over time with very little heat cycles. A couple of the older names in CNC plasma will tell you plasma is not that accurate so you don't need accurate components. The reality is if you do not start with an accurate base the errors add up and your end result is very little repeatability and very poor plasma cuts.
For that reason you will see CNC plasma tables in the 100K and up realm that have welded, stress relieved and machined steel components. The bad part about this is the pricing is so high. A quarter of that can come from the CNC controls so depending on what you are doing be ready for expense as controls have evolved and the best systems in the world offer unbelievable results. We are going to take it up a notch and offer those welded, stress relieved and machined frames for pennies on the dollars because we can do it in house. Everything we do (up to 10x40 CNC plasma) is offered in full tables and gantry kits.
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