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Plasma table
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Plasma cutting table

Construction was started on March 25, 2004 - pictures show my progress.

The cutting area will be 4 feet  6 inches (1.37M)  X 5 feet (1.52M). A parking area for the gantry will allow the full table to be used for other fabrication purposes. The table has been designed by myself.

After extensive testing I have decided to use Mach 2 as my controller software, Geckodrive 320's as servomotor controllers and Sheetcam as my  "gcode"  generator. This combination appears to work very well. 

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, my technical writing is not that great, so here are the informative pictures.

table    back view
from left front    good welding

You can see that my welding is improving.

April 4, 2004 - The following pictures show progress to date. The sheet of  3/16" steel sitting on the table is being used to make brackets and other required parts. Chain drive for the X axis has been installed. The gantry moves smoothly.

with X axis gantry    with X axis gantry again
left view    rear view

April 9, 2004 - Installed the "Y" axis rail and traveling plate, also mounted the "Y" drive gearbox.

Y axis rail and traveller    Y axis

April 10, 2004 - I did not cover my table last night  --  this is what I woke up to!

Y axis

April 12, 2004 - Installed the drives for both the X and Y axis. Test run both of the drives individually and together under computer control. Appears to be working OK. I will start on the torch holder and manual adjuster (with provisions for automatic control)  in the next few days, if the snow holds off. I have found a few areas that will need some minor modifications to ensure smooth operation.

X axis driver    Y axis driver

April 21, 2004 - The unfinished control panel - servo motor with rotary encoder  

control box    servo motor and encoder

April 21, 2004 - The first three cuts about 4" X 3" (10 X 8 cm)

first three cuts    third cut

June 14, 2004 - I had a little time to play and cut some items, some adjustments and modifications to the table are still required. I am quite happy with the results. The house number is approx 17" X 14"- the reigning horse and rider is 12" X 10".

house numbers    for weathervanes

 

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Last modified: January 29, 2007