[rockrunner86]

I am currently working on a 50 x 98" plasma table. I picked the table up from a guy locally, he was in the middle of building it when some stuff came up. When I got ahold of it the frame was built, water table formed, linear rails and rack mounted to the frame. It came with a Blade Runner from Tom at Candcnc as well. The X and Y axis are running on 25mm linear rails. The Gantry is a piece of 80 x 160mm extrusion, and it is equiped with a K2 torch height unit.

I have built everything from the main table rails up, some of the parts are still just for mock-up. I am starting to get really excited to get it up and running. Still trying to decided on a plasma for the table. I am of the buy it once thinking so I am going to get a big machine, so far I am thinking Thermal Dynamics A120 or the Hypertherm Powermax 85.


I am also seriously thinking about adding a second linear rail on the gantry. Also the gantry is driven from both sides but I don't have both sides on currently. Tonight I am going to try to get the final side plates cut out for the belt reductions for both sides of the gantry.

Once I get it finished I am going to move it to the larger size of the shop, where I intend to build a room for it.


Here are some pictures of it as of now.

[ric812]

What is the table bed made from? It looks like fiberglass

[rockrunner86]

What is the table bed made from? It looks like fiberglass

The bed is made of Alum. sheet it is broke on the two long edges and I am going to weld in the ends plates shortly. It has a bunch of build up from sitting in the shop so long, mostly dust from cutting copper..

[ric812]

Thanks for the fast reply and good luck with the table it look really nice

[rockrunner86]

Its running. Not dialed in completely yet, and I still have alot of work to do. However, seeing it move under its own power yesterday was great.

I have a little more wiring to get done, a few home and limit switches to finish up. I also need to replace a bronze bushing tomorrow when it arrives. I some how killed a pivot pushing for one of the motor side plates when pushing it into the bore. I quickly turned a aluminum bushing to get by for the day.

I currently have the motor controls setup for all axis to the correct steps per inch and have compared the movement on the DRO to measurements and I am dead nuts on.. Needless to say I am pretty excited.

I think I found a Powermax 85 with machine torch instock, going to make a few calls tomorrow, if I can locate one its on the way...

[rockrunner86]

Well I just placed my order for a Hypermax Powermax 85 with machine torch. Can't wait for it to arrive.

[rockrunner86]

I finished up the torch mount tonight, everything is running and ready. Well at least as far as I can go until my Powermax 85 shows up from Hypertherm.

[Boogiemanz1]

Looks like you are getting close. Lots of nice parts. Is your K2 axis a 6"? anything you would have done differently? Thanks for sharing........jb

[rockrunner86]

Looks like you are getting close. Lots of nice parts. Is your K2 axis a 6"? anything you would have done differently? Thanks for sharing........jb

Ya, I think I am really close, just need the darn plasma cutter to show up. Keep getting told a shipping date then delays...

Things I would do different.. I would mount the linear rails on the inside of the steel frame, I would weld the steel frame together rather than the bolted plates, I would of made the table at least 8' x 14', I would of used the biggest servo motors Candcnc has on x and y.

Given that I bought the table partly completed, with the electronics for a great deal I am very happy. Knowing myself I will be building a new table with all the items I listed shortly.

I haven't decided which I am going to add to this table, but I am going to be adding either a air scribe or a air spindle as soon as the plasma itself is running. I am leaning to adding a the air spindle, as I have some applications where it would be nice to be able to drill some smaller (1/4" or smaller) holes.

Thank you for the comments..