CNC plasma cutter build

[DavidR8]

If you redrill is there room for a longer bolt and have the lock nut on the outside of the tab using the end of the bolt to tension the v-wheel. This would mean one bolt and one nut, saves on hardware.

It would be close to be sure. It’s currently drill and tapped for 1/4-20. If I can move it over an 1/8” I think the end of a 1/4” cap screw will bear on the nut.

 

[Tom O]

Could you put a plate on top and adjust the tension using the spacer or just extend the length with a threaded bar stock long enough to make contact With the existing adjustment screws.

 

[DavidR8]

All wired up and no where to go!

 

[DavidR8]

It’s alive!
Shocking no one more than me!

 

[francist]

Way cool! Awesome accomplishment there David_R8 ! What’s the thickness of the goods you’re cutting, just out of curiosity.

-frank

 

[DavidR8]

Way cool! Awesome accomplishment there David_R8 ! What’s the thickness of the goods you’re cutting, just out of curiosity.

-frank

Thanks!
It’s just 22ga that I left over from building the water tray. The torch to work distance is too great but I thought I’d give it a whirl.
Super stoked that it works!

 

[francist]

I was gonna say something stupid like “ does it do any other shapes aside from those three…” but I thought I’d best refrain Beats the heck out of drilling-nibbling-gnawing-and filing that’s for sure.

 

[DavidR8]

I'm waiting for the software update so it can do ovals. That's what all the pros have

 

[Tom O]

Nice to see it going any idea what’s happening with the square?

 

[DavidR8]

Nice to see it going any idea what’s happening with the square?

No idea actually. Seemed to have missed a step or six.
I did a second run of that file and it was perfect.

 

[Tom O]

Ok I was wondering about the inside verses outside cuts playing up on it. Check the program lines.

 

[Janger]

What software are you using on your Mac? And how do you handle backlash? Nice project!

 

[DavidR8]

What software are you using on your Mac? And how do you handle backlash? Nice project!

Thanks John, it was fun and a real learning experience.
I'm running an Arduino loaded with GRBL as the controller. I started out using Universal Gcode Sender (UGS) to drive the controller but I found it pretty funky to use. Calibrating the axis with UGS was an exercise in frustration. I switched to OpenBuildsControl and it's a pleasure to use. Calibration was dead easy and turned out to be quite accurate.

There's almost no backlash as the pinion gears are pulled into the gear rack by springs.

 

[SimonM]

Amazing David! If you still are wondering what the issue was with the cube, look at your video, it looks like the sheet somehow moved. Could have been the cable dragging, the torch being too low or a bow in the sheet.

 

[DavidR8]

Amazing David! If you still are wondering what the issue was with the cube, look at your video, it looks like the sheet somehow moved. Could have been the cable dragging, the torch being too low or a bow in the sheet.

Thank you sir for the compliment and for diagnosing the problem with the cut!!!
That's exactly what it was. The torch was over the edge of the sheet and moved the sheet as the X-axis came toward the camera.
@Tom O Problem solved!

 

[Tom O]

That’s good to know! Nice catch Simon!

 

[combustable herbage]

Very Very nice work David it moves so smoothly very slick, nice to see all that hard work come to a successful result.
Now the fun part some tweaking and playing!!

 

[DavidR8]

Thanks!
If I get some time today I’ll cut the slats for the water table.
Have some extra connectors coming so that I can still use the torch as a handheld cutter.

 

[DavidR8]

Used my metal shear to cut strips for the water tray. Not perfect as I need to add a couple at the near end.
I was going to use the plasma cutter to cut them but the torch switch is wired to the black box.
I have some new connectors coming so I can also use it as a handheld torch.

 

[YYCHM]

Why do you need all those stiffeners?