I want to build a plasma cutter

I use Hypertherm 1250, I'm not sure what the current models are but I'd go with Hypertherm. Some rig up the hand torch but if your going to be cutting much you want the machine torch so make sure the model you chose has that option. You also want a model that has arc ok output and torch start input.

Here is the plasma cutter table I built.

www.gnipsel.com/shop/plasma/plasma.xhtml

John

Lots of guys just rig up something to pull the switch on the hand torch. To be totally honest my first cuts had an assistant holding the trigger on the torch, so very crude indeed. If you have the I/O from the plasma that's great, if not you can work around that. I didn't even have a torch height control for the longest time and just carefully set my sheets in and made sure they were level.

Design the water table in from the get go, that is a mistake I made and had to add it on later. You want the water to be within a 1/4" of the top of the slats at a minimum. I don't cut underwater but you can in most cases. It is better to have the option to raise the water to the base of the material and not use it than not be able to. If you can cut outside with a big fan blowing the dust and crap away you can get away without the water table. The water table does reduce the dust and crap by 95% or more at 1/4" below the material.

Have you decided what kind of drive system your going to use for the gantry?

John

Your manual should have cut charts in it if not you can look in a similar Hypertherm manual for starting speeds. I built mine with 500 IPM in mind but rarely if ever cut material that thin.

John

btvpimill wrote:

Just thought of this, I also have a PUMA 760 6 axis arm. it only has 80 hours on it (I got it from a universaty in DC). I have had it running before with the factory controls, but they are TERRIBLE!!!!! Maybe I just need to convert that to LinuxCNC then fashion a way to hold the torch. Build a table and volia!.

That sounds like it could be great fun. And solves your 4-axis problem too.

That could give you the ability to cut bevels as well...

John