New Plasma CNC

[eckertc1]

We just finished building the table stand and water table for the new Torchmate II 4 x 8 CNC plasma table ;D

Hope to have all the CNC stuff here and operational three weeks from Monday the 8th (tomorrow).

I will be posting more pics as more parts arrive. The table was ordered with the tubing cutting attachment and the plate marker attachment so I am really looking forward to having some fun with this thing.

Here's what we have so far......

[DynoDave]

Wow, that's some hardcore shop equipment! Should be fun.

[eckertc1]

Aug 7, 2011 21:24:38 GMT -5 DynoDave said:

Wow, that's some hardcore shop equipment! Should be fun.

Thanks Dave ;D I am really looking forward to it. I already started drawing up my new set of frame rail connectors to cut out with the tubing attachment ;D

If they turn out, Maybe I will do a few sets up for sale here.

[eckertc1]

Slowly but surely getting more parts of the CNC in by freight. We started the build this week and managed to scab together a makeshift controller cabinet out of an old metal chemical cabinet that I cut down.

Here are some pics of the CNC build so far. I cant wait to get this thing up and running




We are still waiting on the machine torches and some of the electronics for the gantry to show up but I am hopeful that by sometime next week those will be here too.

[eckertc1]

Getting a bit closer on the build. Here are yesterday's progress pics...

[DynoDave]

[eckertc1]

Finally done installing the new CNC and its running great so far....



We found out early on that the power company would not allow us to run such a large piece of equipment without buying our own dedicated transformer for the garage. With their current price for a transformer plus install they were looking to beat me up for over $7500

To get around this, I purchased a diesel generator to run the plasma.....



After receiving the generator, I built a custom fuel tank and enclosed the entire generator with 22 Ga. steel and sound proofing insulation.......



It now runs quiet enough to sit just outside my garage without bothering any neighbors ;D

The next step was to jack into the control panel for it and make a secondary control panel in the garage for controlling the generator from inside (who wants to go outside to start the generator).

some time today, I plan to get it moved outside and start plumbing the wires back into the garage and we should be all set. At least I hope so, I took my first big order for custom brackets on Friday

[DynoDave]

Awesome solution. Could be backup power for the house too, if needed during an outage.

Is that a Detroit Diesel powering the generator?

[eckertc1]

That's a 4.3L GM Diesel powering a 30Kw generator.

It ran like crap when I received it but a little hard work cleaning up the mouse chewed wiring and going through the fuel system has it back to running like a champ.

It had about 250 hours on it so it's fairly new but was not treated well apparently. One thing I forgot to mention was that I wired it up for all three phase, so the 120Amp plasma torch now uses about 25 Amps when maxed out ;D gotta love three phase for efficiency.

[eckertc1]

Figured since I had the 3 phase generator, I may as well have a way to power the house with it if need be. (Good suggestion Dave)

That in mind, I was able to find a 30Kw, 3 phase to single phase transformer (Free!! - I'll give my self a Bob award on this one) .....



Now All I need to do to automate the whole works is find an automatic transfer switch. In a pinch, I could disconnect the main and still power my house during an outage but who wants to get off the sofa to start the generator ;D