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Dragon Too Plasma Cutter

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Metalguru, Mar 31, 2017.

Dragon Too Plasma Cutter

Dragon Too Plasma Cutter

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Metalguru, Mar 31, 2017.

A Benchtop Plasma Cutter Concept

benchtop plasma cutter
  1. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    #1 Metalguru, Mar 31, 2017
    Paul Stoller likes this.
  2. Tracy Ranson

    Tracy Ranson Well-Known
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    I am in the process of building a plasma cutter and I really like your concept. If you don't mind sharing your files that would be awesome!
     
    #2 Tracy Ranson, Mar 31, 2017
  3. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    I'll try to get them up. I've had problems with putting up large Sketchup files on this list before, I'll see how it goes.

    MG
     
    #3 Metalguru, Mar 31, 2017
  4. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    Seems to have worked OK. Note that this is a SketchUp 2017 file, it will require 2017 to open it. Also note that there are a lot of small parts and details missing, it's just a concept. Let me know if you find any errors.

    MG
     
    #4 Metalguru, Mar 31, 2017
    Tracy Ranson likes this.
  5. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    Hello
    Really nice project , i was thinking to build somethink like this to complet my CNC plasma cutting table for smaller cuts .
    I will start this project next week and let you now the progress of the project .
     
    #5 mytechno3d, Apr 18, 2017
  6. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Nice idea @Metalguru this is going to be really cool to see in action.
     
    #6 Mark Carew, Apr 18, 2017
  7. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    Yeah, post the build on the builds page so we can see how it turns out!

    MG
     
    #7 Metalguru, Apr 18, 2017
  8. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    Construction has begun ... if i have some time in the afternoon i will post some pictures . :):):)

    I was thinking of putting a floating head for the torch support, but I will instead use an inductive sensor. (

    to reduce the weight at the end of the arm )
     
    #8 mytechno3d, Apr 25, 2017
  9. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    DRAGON2.jpg DRAGON2PLASMA.jpg

    Aluminium plates were cut with my other plasma cutting table .
    Cutting aluminium with plasma work fine but the results are not as good as with steel .

    To be continued ...
     
    #9 mytechno3d, Apr 25, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2017
  10. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    I like those custom side plates. Going to be a bit difficult to adjust your eccentrics, no?

    Can't wait to see it in action...
     
    #10 Metalguru, Apr 25, 2017
  11. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    Adjust the eccentrics is not a problem because the 2 custom plates are mount after the adjustement of the 2 carriers of the Y axis .
    But if something go wrong or move , effectively , you will have to remove the 2 custom plates to re-adjust the eccentrics .

    I just started a new post on the builds page .
    Dragon too Plasma cutter Mods (MetalGuru idea)
     
    #11 mytechno3d, Apr 26, 2017
  12. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Put a cutter at each end and you can cut two identical parts at once. :thumbsup: It would help balance it, too.
     
    #12 Giarc, Apr 26, 2017
  13. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    Picture of the floating head at the end of the arm :

    IMG_20170502_082025.jpg
     
    #13 mytechno3d, May 2, 2017
  14. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    Why do you need 2 sets of carriages for the torch? Isn't that a lot of extra weight?

    MG
     
    #14 Metalguru, May 2, 2017
  15. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    I use this kind of assembly to detect the sheet of steel and set the "Zero" of my Z axis .
    You can see a full assembled floating head on this picture ( this is my other cutting table )

    z floting head.jpg

    When the torch is on the sheet of steel , the second carriage move up to the endstop .
    An offset is set in Mach3 , this is how i set to 0 my z axis .

    The extra weight is not really big .
    Another way to do this could be using an omic torch sensor on the torch itself ( i will explore this solution .. )
     
    #15 mytechno3d, May 2, 2017
  16. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    Ah, I see. Seems a bit complicated, you could just use an inductive proximity sensor or even just a microswitch to detect the material to be cut...

    MG
     
    #16 Metalguru, May 2, 2017
  17. mytechno3d

    mytechno3d Veteran
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    To keep a precise "zeroing" of the Z axis , the touching point must be as close as possible of the torch .
    On my last try with an inductive sensor or with a simple endstop , the life expectancy of the sensor was very limited .
    This is why i use this kind of solution .
    Extra weight is around 200g .

    The wiring is now finished (as expected , it was not really easy .. but it's done .. )
     
    #17 mytechno3d, May 4, 2017
  18. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    So, I'm not clear on how this works. It looks like there is a microswitch on your outside carriage, do you lower the inside carriage down until the torch contacts the work, and lifts the second floating carriage until the microswitch contacts? Then lift the inside carrage a fixed amount to set the torch height?

    Why would the sensor life of an inductive sensor be limited? Does the electrical field from the torch affect it? Spatter? Wear and tear from contacting the table?

    Some photos with the torch attached might be helpful. A video of it in action would be even better...

    Thanks
    MG
     
    #18 Metalguru, May 4, 2017
  19. Redneck darrell

    Redneck darrell New
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    How do you wire the plasma cutter to the cnc. Meaning from my tinyg to the switch on my hypertherm 30. I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find any information.
     
    #19 Redneck darrell, May 21, 2017
  20. Metalguru

    Metalguru Veteran
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    Use the Spindle control output, and wire it to a 5v relay module. Wire the relay NO contacts across the contacts on your plasma cutter that normally go to the torch switch. Use M3 g-code to turn on, M5 to turn off.

    MG
     
    #20 Metalguru, May 22, 2017
  21. Redneck darrell

    Redneck darrell New
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    Perfect thank you so much that's what I have been missing. I use fusion 360 so m3 and m5
    G-code is built into the cutting mode so that's taken care of, but thanks again that was a big help.
     
    #21 Redneck darrell, May 22, 2017
  22. Redneck darrell

    Redneck darrell New
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    What amp relay is needed?
     
    #22 Redneck darrell, May 23, 2017
  23. Metalguru

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    Should just need a small relay, probably way less than 1A. You could measure the current on your normal torch switch by just shorting a current meter across the connector pins and see how much current is drawn.

    MG
     
    #23 Metalguru, May 23, 2017
    Redneck darrell likes this.
  24. igorko55

    igorko55 New
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    very nice project you have from this and detailed drawings and electronics assembly thank you
     
    #24 igorko55, Feb 8, 2020

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