Help needed: Retrofitting a CNC plasma table with new drivers and controller

Laptops are not generally recommended, they tend to over-think power management.
What external interfaces does the laptop have?

It's a Dell D630, I keep it around pretty much just because of the DB-9 port on it. I could just buy a dedicated machine for this it really isn't a big deal.

As far as power management goes I guess there is nothing you can't fix by changing a few config files.

My preferred solution for machine controllers (this makes it sound like I have done many of them, but it's only my own three machines) is to put a bare 12V-powered Mini-ITX board in the same case as all the other boards.

One example here: goo.gl/photos/db7xcXPsCjbLG17X6

That's a PC motherboard and a collection of Mesa interface cards mounted on an aluminium plate.

This is a real machine and you will want real hardware. I have a plasma table so I know.
You will need a real PC not a laptop and starting from the control end a 5i25/7i77 PNG Kit will get that wrapped up. You will need a 24vdc power supply for field voltage so if you go the Antek route get one with 5v and 24v as well. If you can't find drives that take 120v then a good power supply like an Antek (note not Antec) and some good drives like Gecko GM215 that takes 80v input. For torch height control a THCAD card will take care of that. I sell the Mesa cards.

JT

BigJohnT wrote: You will need a real PC not a laptop and starting from the control end a 5i25/7i77 PNG Kit will get that wrapped up.

I think you mean 7i76.

Also, other possibilities exist, such as Pico USC:
www.pico-systems.com/univstep.html

I've been reading a lot on controllers trying to educate myself more on the subject what I can't figure out is how to hook up the the actual plasma power source to it.

The plasma we are thinking of getting has contacts that are normally open and close when the torch switches from the pilot arc to cutting arc.

I'm not sure how to make sure I'm selecting the right controller to take advantage of that.