Plasma Torch, first try and lots of questions

Dear all,
I always wanted to have a cnc machine for fabricating more complicated parts in iron and maybe some arts stuff too.
I am an old IT guy and therefore producing something that lasts is nice for me .

I would like to build a plasma table with working size of 1000mm x 1000mm at least.

I choose to do a lot in iron since I have a welder, band saw and some basic tools available.
But I am not keen on inventing the wheel new which means if I don't need to do everything myself since I want to finish the project as well.


I went to a cnc shop (don't know if links are allowed) and since I was not convinced if I get everything straight and leveled (welded in iron) and it would be faster and easier to mount rails and rack and pinion to a t slot profile I bought some.
I bought Nut 10mm 45x90 3x1300mm and for the gantry each side 45 x 180 .
Three linear rails hsr20/ hsv20 and some THK hsr20r1ss wagons.
lots of t nuts and alloy plates for mounting the wagons on the 45x180, angle profiles etc.

as well I bought a ccm s35-150d as z axis .

One problem to solve now is to fit metal (table is going to be iron I have laying around (50x50x2 and 60x60x3 profiles) and the alloy parts together.

I read already some threads here in the forum which I find excellent, but still I have lots of questions which I hope you are kind to answer.
There are so many parts available and this is overwhelming and difficult to choose.

I would like to use ethernet connection controller 7i76e and some closed loop 3NM nema 23 stepper motors.
1)Is there a kit available? I saw different voltage possibilities but did not understand what the difference is.
1a) to the controller are all nema 23 closed loop motors compatible?

2) do the linear rails need a mechanical stop at the end? if yes how?

3) I wanted to square the gantry with two induction switches and read you need end switches at the other side as well which interrupt the power ? how is this achieved? relay or electronically?

4) very important question which I couldn't figure out is when I use rack and pinion do I need a reduction gear on the nema23 ?
I have seen some they use a 15 tooth wheel and have it spring loaded on the rack.

I already ordered modul 1 15x15mm racks.

I appreciate also having some links as answers.

thank you
Roman

1. no kit available. consider NEMA23 with a 48 volt power supply. Total amperage draw can exceed your power supply output by about 40%
1a. probably not but I have no experience
2. Yes. I just put a block of aluminium that stopped the carriages from coming off but the limit switches stop them from being hit.
3.If you use the master branch of LinuxCNC, yo can configure the gantry squareness by following the homing sequence documentation. Once you build the machine, home the gantry against limit switches. The measure squareness, and adjust offsets in the .ini file and rehome so the hardware is square. 10 minute job
4. Yes you need a reduction drive. I had the same question See forum.linuxcnc.org/30-cnc-machines/31509...pinion-drive?start=0

Finally, follow the plasmac developments in the "Another plasma component" thread. I've also written a how to install thread for plasmac in the last week. Plasmac will make your job easier but right now, it might take a bit more effort to install Linuxcnc (from source)

hi im in Germany
i own 4 plasmas for cutting sheet metal up to 3mm at 8m/min
there are SBR sets you can go for 1300mm
this is the cheepest version

it is at that space not the best to go
but HGH at that size are more expensive and it piles up until the tourch firers

so if you go only 1m/1m it is good at Ballscrew 1605 recomends are 2010 and a 20/25 Timingbelt AT5
so out of the 3Nm at 48V you get 4Nm as Gear ratio puts you up

also the speed of the 2010 will boost your cut
the image showes a lowest cost plasma at 700Euro with THC and Plasma Scut50
all inkluded made with a 16mm Drill on a RF50

I have to google your appreviations ..
Sbr ..hgh...rf50

The idea I got from this video Plasmatable self made by DerNormio since I was told in the shop the stepper motors can't allow axial torque like shown in this video which was my favourite easy way to go in first place with a belt!!

So using rack and pinion I found next easier since he is not using a gear ratio ...

1mx1m is the size I would be able to cut, 1300 mm, I took because of the wagons etc.??

Sorry I am totally new to this area.

Googled everything, yes thank you..ballscrew 2010 would be the way to go as well.
But having no experience with that I think they are not easy just to screw on and ready, more I don't know how to mount the motor on a system I make myself like this.
I am searching an looking for solutions which with drilling and bit of welding I can fix myself. Lots of searching.
Thx again

Please see my first post, I got :Three linear rails hsr20/ hsv20 and some THK hsr20r1ss wagons.
So x,y and for z I got the ccm s35-150d z axis

I ordered yesterday rack and pinion extendable modul 1 , 5x1m

The youtube videos provided showed what i had in mind belt and with rack & pinion.
Regards

Hi,
my rack and pinion arrived yesterday .
I found a magnet of an old big SCSI hard disk which is very strong and easy to weld on for the breakaway torch holder.
A mini linear rail 9mm and a no name wagon should arrive today for the floating Z axis.

A:) I have no plan how to fabricate a reduction gear for the steppers so I started to calculate and there comes the question why do I need a a reduction gear?

The spur gear I selected has a travel radius of about 15mm which gives me with a 1.8degree step 0.471mm travel per step.
Using micro steps even less travel distance.
Is for CNC PLASMA half a millimeter not enough? in full steps? 1/8th micro stepping 0.058...

B:) my rack came without holes for mounting , I wanted to weld it on, since I changed my mind and used alloy I can't anymore. how did you mount it ? I think drilling holes is not precise enough ?

sorry for these questions.

Regards