gerrymoore
CNC expert (well, getting there!)
- Messages
- 1,264
- Location
- Wirral UK
Just to clarify a couple of things. First off I did't say you can't use an RTech plasma only that it gave me problems. I tried just about everything...large caps everywhere to stop spikes, ground everything to a central point, re wired the whole machine with completely separate wiring to each stepper and limit switch, kept all signal wires away from each other, tried three different types of stepper motor drivers, and even stood on my head singing 'God save the Queen' but no, nothing but problems. I wasted more time, effort, metal, and hairloss to the point I was ready to give up.
Tried all the CNC forums and they all came up with suggestions,...none of which worked.
The only thing I hadn't been able to change was the plasma cutter itself. I bit the bullet and bought the Hypertherm. Got it at a good price, less than a grand with the full 3 year warranty....never looked back. I've actually rewired the machine again since to tidy it all up. The signal wires and motor wires are next to each other, I don't have a single ground just the normal pos and neg connections to the motors, non of the limit switches are grounded, and I don't get a single hiccup. The powermax 30 does not have a removeable torch so I use the hand torch horizontally fixed to the Z axis by cable ties (so I can easily remove it to cut up my steel sheets) with a separate wire from the CNC electronics to control the torch switch.
The machine cuts to perfection and the consumables last and last and last!
Another point that may help. I bought a THC unit - admittedly is was the cheap one (£120) from PROMA in Poland. I couldn't get it to work with Mach3 even though I have the fully bought and paid for version. Again after much hair tearing (now saves me a fortune on barbers bills) I got shut and built a sliding head on my Z axis. This lowers the torch slowly until it hits the steel and then raises it to the pierce height and then down to the cut height. As I only use new steel I don't have any problems but if you are using warped steel you can tell Mach 3 to go through the sequence every single cut if necessary. This won't help if you are cutting corrugated stuff but for most cuts it's perfectly adequate and much much cheaper and easier than full THC.
DIY Plasma CNC has a sharp learning curve. It is an amazing mix of precision engineering, sophisticated electronics, and a resonable knowledge of using a PC, programming and design. I don't think it can be approached lightly..... but 4 years ago I didn't know what CNC meant...now I'm pretty good!
All the info is there but finding it is not easy. I only wish I had met myself 3 years earlier so I could have asked all the questions and been given the answers....hmm perhaps a time machine should be my next project!!
Tried all the CNC forums and they all came up with suggestions,...none of which worked.
The only thing I hadn't been able to change was the plasma cutter itself. I bit the bullet and bought the Hypertherm. Got it at a good price, less than a grand with the full 3 year warranty....never looked back. I've actually rewired the machine again since to tidy it all up. The signal wires and motor wires are next to each other, I don't have a single ground just the normal pos and neg connections to the motors, non of the limit switches are grounded, and I don't get a single hiccup. The powermax 30 does not have a removeable torch so I use the hand torch horizontally fixed to the Z axis by cable ties (so I can easily remove it to cut up my steel sheets) with a separate wire from the CNC electronics to control the torch switch.
The machine cuts to perfection and the consumables last and last and last!
Another point that may help. I bought a THC unit - admittedly is was the cheap one (£120) from PROMA in Poland. I couldn't get it to work with Mach3 even though I have the fully bought and paid for version. Again after much hair tearing (now saves me a fortune on barbers bills) I got shut and built a sliding head on my Z axis. This lowers the torch slowly until it hits the steel and then raises it to the pierce height and then down to the cut height. As I only use new steel I don't have any problems but if you are using warped steel you can tell Mach 3 to go through the sequence every single cut if necessary. This won't help if you are cutting corrugated stuff but for most cuts it's perfectly adequate and much much cheaper and easier than full THC.
DIY Plasma CNC has a sharp learning curve. It is an amazing mix of precision engineering, sophisticated electronics, and a resonable knowledge of using a PC, programming and design. I don't think it can be approached lightly..... but 4 years ago I didn't know what CNC meant...now I'm pretty good!
All the info is there but finding it is not easy. I only wish I had met myself 3 years earlier so I could have asked all the questions and been given the answers....hmm perhaps a time machine should be my next project!!
