Need to build CNC plasma cutting table.

[Redneck in training]

My wife wants a tornado shelter. That is very good reason to acquire plasma cutter and build a CNC table. I would like to build a 4X8 table but can't decide what gantry kit I should buy. I was looking at several brands and have two finalists. Precision Plasma and Dynatorch. Dynatorch doesn't have price list on the web so I emailed them for info today. Precision plasma looks like popular set up and I found only few complaints about the company. It can be build with steppers or servos. Dynatorch looks like more advanced gantry (uses servos only) but probably also costs significantly more.
Do you guys have experience with building and using CNC table? What gantry are you using? What software are you using? What was the cost of hardware and software? Any insight will be greatly appreciated.
Ladia.

 

[mikefromnh]

I don't have any experience with cnc plasma... But I've been wanting to build one and have been researching.

It seems a lot of people like precision plasma tables and candcnc.com for an electronics, motor and software package as a 'turnkey diy' package.

There are also plenty of company's that will sell just the brackets so you can make your own gantry and x y table. Plasmabot seems to be a similar gantry and track design to the current precision plasma tables. But you are only buying the brackets for less than $200 bucks that ride on 2x2" tubing. So you can build a much beefier and sturdy table yourself for less money.
ShopDroids

Other things I've seen people consistently reccomend is a torch height control and gear/belt reduction.

Most are using Mach and sheetcam for software. There are free solutions though. LinuxCNC. Motion controllers/breakout boards can be a cheap or expensive.

 

[mikefromnh]

CNC router parts is another site for parts if you want to build your own table.
CNCRouterParts

It looks like arclight is using some of the same parts on their tables.
4x8 CNC Plasma Table | Arc Pro 96

 

[Mysfyt]

From my experience with cnc, go with the servo motors if you can afford it. The closed loop is much more reliable than the stepper and also more 'tuneable'. Do your homework on the software as well, as in how easy is it to program.

 

[vidio1]

Just a couple of things to add. Servo tables are typically more expensive because they use a closed loop positioning system. Servos read an encoder, steppers just go to a programmed position. Steppers are most powerful at low speed, servos will probably need a reduction drive. Hypertherm or Thermo dynatics are the most popular plasma torches. A torch height controller is almost a necessity, some work better than others for a particular brand of cutter. Consider a water table, you garage or shop will be filled with smoke in minutes without a huge exhaust fan or water table. A water table lets you keep the door shut in the winter. Check out CNCzone.com- Largest Forums for CNC Professional and Hobbyist alike! if you haven't already, tons of info overthere.

 

[Kernopelli]

Might want to check this out. TECHNO PLASMA CUTTING SYSTEM (AS) - GovDeals.com

A used 5x10 table that comes with a Powermax 85 would be a real running start on "building" your own. If you are rightfully worried about the disclaimers in the description on this unit, my experience with online auctions like this is that the "contact person" listing the auctions is generally not the person who used the item. They however can usually put you in touch with someone that knows the specific problems, general condition, etc. of the piece of equipment personally.

 

[Redneck in training]

Just a couple of things to add. Servo tables are typically more expensive because they use a closed loop positioning system. Servos read an encoder, steppers just go to a programmed position. Steppers are most powerful at low speed, servos will probably need a reduction drive. Hypertherm or Thermo dynatics are the most popular plasma torches. A torch height controller is almost a necessity, some work better than others for a particular brand of cutter. Consider a water table, you garage or shop will be filled with smoke in minutes without a huge exhaust fan or water table. A water table lets you keep the door shut in the winter. Check out CNCzone.com- Largest Forums for CNC Professional and Hobbyist alike! if you haven't already, tons of info overthere.

CNC zone was first place I went to. Looks like the Precision Plasma would be the winner. CandCNC sells servo set for the PP kit. Now I have to decide which particular gantry I should get.

 

[BFreaky]

My next project will be cnc plasma table. I already got all the electronics except for thc controller. It will be Neuron Simplicity thc.
After alot of reading I decidet to go with stepper motors because they made great progress in quality and speed/torque ratings and are alot cheaper then servos.
The software will be Mach3 and Sheetcam TNG....

 

[Tor Arne]

Check out the videos to Keit Fenner, he has a good setup

Keith Fenner
- YouTube

 

[Redneck in training]

After some research and deliberation I purchased Precision Plasma LLC 4X8 Precision Plasma table and ordered electronics and motors from CandCNC. I am rather impressed with the quality. I wanted a gantry kit originally to save money but then realized that the saving would be small if any at all. I will report again after I install the motors and drives.