My CNC Plasma table - Almost done!

Hey Lads,

Been working on a plasma table for about 6 weeks on and off, figured Id share it with you.

Bit of background of myself, I'm 22yo carpenter from Melbourne, have been part of this forum for years now with a mostly woodworking background.
I have wanted to build a CNC from the age of 16 but unfortunately didn't have the money or space to build a full size one. This year I got in to my own factory and have been making projects. I wanted to build the plasma table to help out with my metal working.

Some specs,
-fits full 2400 x 1200 sheet
-Powered by Powermax 85
-Water table
-Hiwin square rails

Will post up some more photos of the build later, I've got heaps from the whole process.
Any questions or comments feel free to post :)

Attachment 440451

Cheers Ben

That's an interesting orientation of the gantry - is it going to be more prone to racking? I guess it's like that to aid loading full length sheets?

Also, a Powermax 85 seems like a pretty big unit - are you looking to cut very thick section, or is for speed?

Hey mate, you’re not wrong racking was definitely taken in to account. I’ve orientated the gantry that way to aid in sheet loading, also it’s more suiting to the factory I’m in. It’s designed with dual motors on that axis to control the rack.

As for the cutter, I originally was going to get a 45xp as majority of the cutting is around 10mm but I purchased the 85 powermax for a good price, just means I’ll run lower amp consumables

Steel frame knocked together, 75 x 75 SHS
Attachment 440491
Attachment 440493

Inner carpenter coming out, framed out with pine to create a cabinet under.
Attachment 440497

Yellow toung the floor.
Attachment 440501

MDF panels in the sides and back. Front doors fitted
Attachment 440502

Happy Saturday guys!
Ive had some time to work on the table recently. Electronic kit is on the way from the USA, its all coming together now.

Ive redesigned the gantry set up to make it lighter and more accurate. Using a 75 x 75 SHS for the cross member. All gantry mounts and torch carriage are made from interlocking flat sheet I designed, that was laser cut then welded together on the tabs. Sent my DFX files off to the cutters and picked them up a few days later.
Attachment 446778

Picked up the sheets from C-Tech. $200 for all the parts, which I think is super reasonable, as the parts have all the holes accuracy cut in them, so motors and pullys will bolt right up. Sheets all locked together ready for some weld.
Attachment 446779

Attachment 446780

Few post welding shots, fired up the TIG for the first time in a while, my favourite welding process.
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Attachment 446782

Time to get the lot together! Post back soon.

Cheers Ben

Nice work Ben. Great looking welds, not too shabby for a wood butcher.:D
We have one where I help out, not very big as it'll take a 3m X 1.5m X 25mm sheet.
Will be great to see it up and running, yours that is.
Kryn

Ben

Had not seen this thread earlier.

Great to see another forum member building a CNC plasma table. Looking real good.

I have a 1200 x 1200 table that I built a couple of years ago. Don't have room for bigger.

Cut 2400 x 1200 sheets (up to 3mm) Run them through and support the end on a stand. Generally the first thing I do is cut them in half.

The Hypertherm should be a great cutter. Are you going to have a drain/reservoir for the water, or leave it full?

What area of Melbourne are you? I am in Puffing Billy country.

Greolt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greolt

Ben

Had not seen this thread earlier.

Great to see another forum member building a CNC plasma table. Looking real good.

I have a 1200 x 1200 table that I built a couple of years ago. Don't have room for bigger.

Cut 2400 x 1200 sheets (up to 3mm) Run them through and support the end on a stand. Generally the first thing I do is cut them in half.

The Hypertherm should be a great cutter. Are you going to have a drain/reservoir for the water, or leave it full?

What area of Melbourne are you? I am in Puffing Billy country.

Greolt

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Hey mate,
Just going to be leaving the top full, its plumbed up to be emptied and drained away though.

Im an Essendon boy, but cutter is located in Brooklyn, welcome to have a look if your in the area.

Cheers Ben

Fit a few things together to see how they go. All holes line up :2tsup:

Attachment 446891
Attachment 446892

Attachment 446893

Bit of ghetto plumbing to drain the table
Attachment 446894

Bit of an update for your Saturday afternoon.

Quite a bit happened, got the new gantry in place, attached up some motors. Finished off all the cable management.
Attachment 448859

Got the torch on to the Z axis.
Attachment 448860

All thats left is the actual drive mounting. Got a mate turning some parts this weekend for it, not far away now.

Cheers Ben