Author: Minh's man cave

CNC Plasma – Build your own $6 Torch Height Controller (Mechanical THC) – 100% success rate

May 10, 2023

#CNCPlasma
#THC
#TorchHeightController
#DIYCNCMill
#3018CNC
#Fusion360
#Mach3
#Tutorials

Here the link to my design of the mechanical torch height controller (THC):

https://grabcad.com/library/mechanical-torch-height-controller-for-cnc-plasma-cutter-1

I installed a THC system on my CNC plasma cutter. I tried many time without success to configure it to cut metal art on thin sheet metals (0.8mm and 0.5mm thick). The THC system only work for some thick sheet metals (1.5mm or above). For the thin sheets that I was using, The Z axis kept crushing into the sheet then lifted too high and ran away from the sheet metal.
I decided to give up on the THC and made my own mechanical THC. The setup that I designed can be adapted to any torch, CNC plasma system (Mach3, GRBL, etc…) and 100% success rate. You won’t need to do any wiring to your CNC controller or changes to your plasma cutter. You will only need to make your Z axis free floating by removing the limit switch (if you had one). The tip of the torch will be maintained at constant height while gliding and cutting on the surface of the sheet metal. The free floating Z axis will allow the torch to follow any type of changes on the surface of the sheets. The mechanical shield will constantly press on the cutting surface by weight.
The whole mechanical THC setup was easy to make using my CNC milling machine. You can adapt the setup to your own CNC plasma cutter by changing the inner diameter of the fixture ring to the diameter of your torch.
In the end, the system showed a great success with a really thin sheet metal (0.5mm). Despise all the warping, the metal art was cut beautifully and clean.

source

#CNCPlasma #THC #TorchHeightController #DIYCNCMill #3018CNC #Fusion360 #Mach3 #Tutorials Here the link to my design of the mechanical torch height controller (THC): https://grabcad.com/library/mechanical-torch-height-controller-for-cnc-plasma-cutter-1 I installed a THC system on my CNC plasma cutter. I tried many time without success to configure it to cut metal art on thin sheet metals (0.8mm and 0.5mm thick). The THC system only work for some

Metal CNC Machine

3018 CNC Pro Max – Milling Aluminum without any upgrade

Minh's man cave

April 21, 2023

Link to buy the 3018 CNC Pro Max:

In this video, I tested a new version of 3018 CNC which is the 3018 CNC Pro Max. It has an all-metal frame made of Aluminum, 200W spindle. I was able to cut Aluminum a few times faster compared to the previous versions of 3018 CNC. The dimensions of the parts were cut precisely without the need of using compressed air or water mist spray.
Really great machine to start cutting Aluminum

source

Link to buy the 3018 CNC Pro Max: In this video, I tested a new version of 3018 CNC which is the 3018 CNC Pro Max. It has an all-metal frame made of Aluminum, 200W spindle. I was able to cut Aluminum a few times faster compared to the previous versions of 3018 CNC. The dimensions of the parts were

CNC Plasma Cutter

Cheap plasma cutter Cut50 pilot arc – All you need to know to make it CNC compatible

Minh's man cave

November 29, 2022

#CNCPlasma
#HFInterference
#Mach3
#DIYCNCMill
#3018CNC
#Fusion360
#Tutorials

In this video, I summarized quickly all the tricks and tips that I did to make my cheap plasma cutter cut50P (P for “pilot arc”) works perfectly with my home-built CNC plasma cutting table.
– 1st tip: Use bigger torch that was designed for higher current. That way the nozzle and the electrode will last longer and the cut quality will be more consistent.
– 2nd tip: Connect the trigger wire directly from the connector on the plasma cutter to the relay and keep it far away from the pilot arc wire and the the air hose to avoid HF noises and interference.
– 3rd tip: If your arc is sputtering, the plasma cutter doesn’t cut continuously, you will have to check inside the plasma cutter and adjust the spark gap. Keep it at reasonable distance (0.8mm following the manufacture manual).
– 4th tip: use 220V instead of 110V. 220V will make the arc more stable and also the plasma cutter will have higher duty cycle when cutting at high amperage.

source

#CNCPlasma #HFInterference #Mach3 #DIYCNCMill #3018CNC #Fusion360 #Tutorials In this video, I summarized quickly all the tricks and tips that I did to make my cheap plasma cutter cut50P (P for “pilot arc”) works perfectly with my home-built CNC plasma cutting table. – 1st tip: Use bigger torch that was designed for higher current. That way the nozzle and the electrode

CNC Plasma Cutter

DIY CNC plasma cutting table – Making the right choices for interference free cuttings

Minh's man cave

November 22, 2022

#CNCPlasma
#HFInterference
#Mach3
#DIYCNCMill
#3018CNC
#Fusion360
#Tutorials

I finally got to a setup of my CNC plasma cutting table that is interference free. That I can cut successfully every time without worrying that the high frequency noise will stop Mach3 in the middle.
This was achieved by using a breakout board that is connected to Mach3 through an Ethernet port.
The Ethernet protocol is more resilient against interference because the platform was design to transmit signal through a long distance without the errors inserted into the information being transmitted.
There are other choices of plasma cutter that can help avoiding the interference from the source, such as: blowback pilot arc plasma cutter, scratch off arc start plasma cutter.
Those plasma cutters don’t use high frequency voltage to initiate the arc, therefore, no high frequency interference.
With type of plasma cutters, you can use an USB breakout board for the low cost and convenience. But an Ethernet breakout controller board is still a better choice.
Mach3 or other platform that support the function of a THC system are recommended, therefore, GRBL based controller are not considered for plasma cutter for the lack of compatibility with THC system.

Link to video: Create your own pilot arc

Novusun NVEM breakout board:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958152011.html

HeroCut Cut55i:

Lotos Plasma cutter:

Consumables for the torch:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000420516896.html

source

#CNCPlasma #HFInterference #Mach3 #DIYCNCMill #3018CNC #Fusion360 #Tutorials I finally got to a setup of my CNC plasma cutting table that is interference free. That I can cut successfully every time without worrying that the high frequency noise will stop Mach3 in the middle. This was achieved by using a breakout board that is connected to Mach3 through an Ethernet port.