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Material Cut Table

A project log for CNC Plasma Table

Plasma Cutter + CNC Table + Auto Load/Unload = Tool to build other projects faster

willbadenwillbaden 08/14/2016 at 01:120 Comments

The table that holds the material being cut is going through updating. The test table was four tubes clamped to a welded assembly that was re-purposed for a material table.

It has served its purpose and is time for an upgrade. 2x2x1/8" material was ordered for the material table and for the first revision of the material rack. Using a chop saw (would have been nice to use a cold saw) the material cut table was cut up.

There will be four lengths on the top and bottom with 4 short risers to separate the top and bottom. Below is an in process view of the material cut table acting as jigs for the first revision of the material rack.

The plasma cut table is coming together, here is a mockup of the new table. At this point it is only tacked together for a trial fit under the plasma axis. The four holes in the bottom will be used for qty. 4 - 1/2" bolts that will be used as leveling feet. The bed has a slight skew to it after being welded together, but should be able to level with the cutting frame.

On the top horizontal bars are three holes on both sides. These will be used to bolt the plasma cut table to the stock loader/unloader. It will also be used to bolt the plasma cut table frame work that holds the material and eventually will hinge on the closest side to allow the cut or spent material to drop out the back side.

The table needed adjustable feet to allow for leveling. The 1/2" holes weren't enough. So 3/8" steel cut 2x2 were drilled and tapped for 1/2-13.

These were then mocked up and welded to the table.

The hinged table will be considered consumable. Current design is made by 1x1x1/8 steel tubing. This is intended to be a quick setup to cut some parts that I would like to see finished in the near future.

This was set in inside the larger frame for test fitting.

Outside of leveling the CNC table and cut table, there did not appear to be much for concern. The CNC was taken to the limits in the X axis to see where the consumable table would sit. Then the hinges were made up.

These were then mocked up and welded to the main frame. There are two pieces of steel angle that bolt to the consumable table.

Below is the left hinge tacked in and ready for hinge testing.

The table hinges down and is meant to allow the material to slide down. The 1x1 hinged table is not the final design but will have the same hinging effect.

We will see if this will be enough angle. May have to raise the table with some risers. Cross that road later. The above picture also shows the mounting plate on the right side of the table. This will bolt to the CNC tables legs.

10/2/16

The spacing of the bars going across has caused some issues with parts warping and being unable to maintain a decent height while cutting. IE the torch would initially touch off of a fairly level piece, but as the cut progressed the cut material drooping/warping would allow for the torch height to change too much. This would cause an intermittent/failed cut. To help out with this until torch height control can be implemented, more cross bars were added.

The gap between the end piece and last support bar was intentional as the plasma cutter can't reach this far.

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