We have a job where we need to cut a special profile into >500 ea. 8" pipes.
I will keep the thread updated with our progress. We are using an MC433 stepper controller from SOC Machines. This controller is 4-axis (unipolar only though :s) but priced at < $150CAN. The motors will be powered using a converted pc ATX power supply. To keep things simple, the rig will be set up to emulate a standard x-y system, the circumference of the pipe (rotating) being the x-axis, the plasma torch head moving longitudinaly along the pipe being the y-axis. The pipe is mounted in a large chuck at one end. The plasma torch head will be mounted on a rack-and-pinion setup scavanged from an old moogie. If the torch head can't be rigged with a relay switch, the z or a-axis will be rigged to activate the trigger.