DIY plasma cnc electronics

[Bullnerd]

Awesome JG and Mr. Knot!

[DMoneyAllstar]

Awesome, thanks guys! This should keep me busy at work today!

[DMoneyAllstar]

Something like the "Ivan's Garage" project is what I had in mind, and using a great electronics kit like that one at CNCRP (see prior link) and simple yet reliable gantry and table.

A 4'x4' complete setup is very possible at $4k or less including good torch and electronics! And especially true when there's less to buy (and more to DIY fab). And $4k is what I'll have to spend on a table.

[vidio1]

You don't need Nema34 steppers and you certainly don't need 1600oz steppers unless you'r trying to push a 500lb gantry around. Your only moving a torch head around, your not pushing against a cutter.

Steppers are most powerful at 0 RPM, but work needs to be done so a happy comprise needs to be made. Smaller motors will often outperform much larger motors when sized correctly. Anyone worth buying motors from will have a torque graph for their motors to demonstrate this. All motors are NOT created equal.

Look around at what's on the market and get a more realistic idea of motor sizes you can use for your intended setup. Just my 2 cents.......

[ironknot]

Found this and thought it might be an interesting addition to the table.

Larken 3D Probe

Someone has to have a use for it?

[vidio1]

Touch probes are pretty neat, they're normally used on a Mill though. That one is kind of expensive for the resolution. There are dozens of examples out there of "home brew" designs if you wanted to give it a try.....

A DIY Touch Probe » fadedbits.com

Here's a good one. Pretty typical, but notice the resolution

[mrniceguy]

IIRC the G540 only supports up to NEMA23 motors. Does NOT need any BOB (breakout board).
This would be a good kit...
4 Axis Electronics Kit | CNCRouterParts
4 axis means 2 motors slaved together to move the gantry.
Then add this
http://www.candcnc.com/LCTHC.html
arc voltage based torch height control is KEY to good tip life and good straight cuts.
Also a good time to order your MACH3 license for a good price.

If your a mastercam master and can write custom posts thats all you will need for CAM. If not I recommend sheetCAM, inexpensive and comes with several cost saving pierce options.

Bumpity bump!

I'm currently trying to get my head round whats required to build something like this and it's quite a bit to take in!

Just wondering JG if this is the combo you would still recommend? In my research it seems there isnt a THC specifically for the ethernet smooth stepper that ties in with mach 3. Is that still the case? Does it matter? My laptop doesnt have a serial port and I don't really want to get a dedicated computer for cnc as my laptop runs my cnc router fine.

Whats the current hotness for cnc plasma electronics amongst those in the know?

[JGSturbo]

The G540 is still king of the small/medium machines.
Unless you want the complete drive packages from C and NC this is about the only THC box I've found http://eagleplasma.com/CNC%20THC%20Page%20072413.html
That isn't $$$. I use ESS and G540s every day in my builds.
3x lpt ports of the ESS is awesome.
www.cncrouterparts.com is a great site, reliable vendor, etc. See their nema23 electronics page for motors, cables, power supplies, G540s and ESS boards.
They even sell those cold rolled steel carriages everybody uses.

[BorntoBraaap]

Also Check out cambam. Sounds cheesy but it has been a great budget cam option for me. http://www.cambam.info/

[mrniceguy]

Thanks for the info everyone!