Guys, I'm seriously thinking about getting a CNC plasma...they are surprisingly affordable over here...(maybe in the UK too, dunno..) I'd even consider building my own.

Obviously I can't justify it on parts for my car alone, so I'll have to find other work for it as part of my business.

Anyway my question is has anyone on here any experience, good or bad to share, advice, comments etc.

Cheers,

alan

me and some friends at work have just about finished making a cnc plamsa machine, running on mach3 software link

all the stepper motors are running as they should its just a case of getting the plamsa torch to turn on and off via the gcode

will post some pictures tomorrow if your interested

[Edited on 3/11/06 by chris.russell]

Ive used CNC burners and a laser too.
The laser was awsome but could only cut up to 5mm plate, and that one was in excess of £250k! that was nearly 10 years ago though.
To make money on that though it was run prety much 24/7 the running costs wernt cheap either iirc so id imagine with a plasma if you can get it running serveral days a week it would be profitable.

[Edited on 3/11/06 by Gav]

our work bought the newest laser on the market 6 months ago £450k, it cuts 25mm mild steel, 15mm stainless, and watching it cut thin gauge material is unbelievable, your eyes cant keep up with it sooooo quick. amazing to watch

quote:

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Originally posted by chris.russell
me and some friends at work have just about finished making a cnc plamsa machine, running on mach3 software link

all the stepper motors are running as they should its just a case of getting the plamsa torch to turn on and off via the gcode

will post some pictures tomorrow if your interested

[Edited on 3/11/06 by chris.russell]

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Place down the road from us (where I buy all my Ali from) specialise in high pressure water jet cutting.....seriously cool stuff! This thing cuts through 30mm blocks of ali with ridiculous amounts of precision! Very impressive.....Oli.

been looking at these myself there seem to be some in kit form at $6500 that will notch tube also quite tempted

also found this whilst looking a locost version
here

or a proper kit version here

I don't know prices, but the high pressure water abrasive jet things cut just about anything. Very versatile. Just don't get your fingers, or any other part of your body near them!

I've had kevlar mouldings 12mm thick cut with the high pressure water abrasives, where no-one else would touch it.

There was one being used in a boatyard just south of West Palm, a few years ago now.

Cheers,
Syd.

The water jet or flowjet looks like a great way of cutting metals. Anyone who has seen 'American Chopper' on discovery will have seen one in action many times.

finally got round to taking some pictures,

Heres a pic of the table and torch setup

table

I do have a video of the table working and is 1mb in size but it is too big to post here on the website, if anyone wants a copy U2U me your email address

then this is the final item, about 6in long in 1/8 mild steel, cut in 16 under 16 seconds.

test piece