Hello,
Sorry for the long post, and no photos
After a long and bumpy road of CNC Plasma cutting, I am starting a new machine which will hopefully put all the other trials and tribulation behind me.
But first a bit about myself.
My name is Daniel, i live in Melbourne, Australia and run my own small one man Fabrication business.
I've been interested in CNC for a number of years (having an engine machining background) and have always been in awe of all things CNC/Robotics.
So one day I decided that I would build a 3D printer to try and get my head around the idea of CNC.
With that successfully behind me the next logical step was a CNC plasma.
I search this and other forums looking for a design to make my own.It was hard trying to find something that would fit into the things that I could make.
I only have welding equipment, and after looking at many build logs it was staring to thinkt that I would need some way of machining parts for the plasma.
Then I came across this design from instructables CNC Plasma Table
Attachment 322900
I thought I had found the holly grail (for me anyways) this design involved NO machining and was built from laser cut parts. Boy was I wrong/naive..
While it was a good machine to get my toes wet, it soon became apparent that this machine was not going to do what I needed, It didn't have the accuracy and was always in need of attention.
So here we are, In need of a new machine, Something more robust, accurate, repeatable and somewhat left to cut on its own
I've been researching for a few months now, Trying to piece something together that will work for me.
Its mainly been compromises tho.
Being in Australia really makes it hard, most items do not ship to Australia and those that do after exchange rate, import tax and shipping are ridiculously priced.
But I have been somewhat happy in what I have been able to piece together.
I was looking at precision plasma's website, and boy do they have some nice stuff that would be perfect for me (ie. no machining, bolt together kit) but THEY DO NOT SHIP..
After some hunting around I found a ebay seller that had a iplasma gantry kit for sale.
now its one of the older style ones that uses cold rolled steel. As much as I'd love to go with linear rails, Beggars cant be choosy.
So I snapped it up.
Even managed to find some local imperial steel sizes that would work..
This is where we are at ATM:
Frame build with rails bolted down.
I've pretty much followed the prints given to me, although I have made the cutting bed about 100mm (4") longer in both directions.
And will be making a water table. will most likely add a air operated tank as well but that will be after its setup and cutting.
Now with the motion.
I have contacted Candcnc and they will be shipping a dragoncut 620 with hyt very soon (thank god they ship otherwise this would be a whole month of extra research)
With electronics sorted needed to figure out what mechanical motion we would use.
Now from what I've read a 3-1 reduction is the way to go. Problem is I cannot find one that will ship to Australia. And making my own without a mill just seems out of the question (unless some one has a better idea)
So for now, direct drive is our only option.
I found these online (sorry cant upload photo, but they are essentially a belt idler that bolt each side of the motor pulley to allow belts to be used) and I'm going to try them out, I already have all the timing belt and pulleys I need, so there is not much to loose. If it doesn't work I'll consed and more to rack and pinion.
As with the Z axis, I was looking at the velox (I think it is) floating Z, but to get it shipped here was going to be hwy robbery. then i found a company in Australia that do magnetic break away mounts at a reasonable price. Perfect, as I'm getting the feather touch from Candcnc I believe I don"t need a floating Z.
So that"s where I'm at.
I have a few smaller items ordered such as cable track, limit switches, and some stuff for a air scribe, but I'm waiting on the electronics to get any further.
Sorry for the long post guys, but if there is anything you think I may have over looked or something you would do differently please let me know. My decisions aren't set in concrete just trying to get the best setup I can with my limited resources.
Cheers
Daniel