Tools: Plasma CNC

Tool Description

The Plasma CNC is a 3-axis CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) plasma cutter. It is capable of cutting 4 foot by 4 foot sheets of steel, aluminum, or stainless steel; smaller pieces can also be used. Plasma cutter is based on a Lincoln Electric Pro-Cut 60 Plasma Cutting System. (Code: 9819-1). The Torch Height Controller is a Proma elektronika. CNC table is Lightning CNC. CNC hardware is TBD. CNC software is LinuxCNC 2.8.2.

Classes

• Classes are offered on a regular basis.
• Check meetup for the next scheduled class: Tampa Hackerspace Meetup

• Prerequisites
  • Students must have the ability to generate toolpaths using one of the supported CAM tools (VCarve or Fusion 360). Generating toolpaths is outside the scope of this class.
    • There are separate classes for VCarve and Fusion360.
  • This meetup is open to paid members only.

Generating Toolpaths

VCarve

Select "THS Plasma(inch)(*.ngc)" when generating a toolpath. Which should be loaded on the space's computers. If you have your own copy, see github.

Fusion 360

A post processor can be found in github.

Pre-Use checklist

Media:PlasmaOpsGuide.pdf

• Startup and Zeroing
  • Turn on wall controller box and PC
  • Ensure E-Stop button is pressed down
  • Launch THS Plasma on PC
  • Reset E-Stop (twist and will pop up)
  • Press Power soft button
  • Open Homing button List
    • Home all Axis
  • DRO numbers will change from red to green
• Prepare your material
  • Place material to be cut on table
  • Move the plasma cutter to the Lower Left corner of where you want to cut on your material
    • Toggle rabbit/turtle icons to change jogging speed
  • Press ZERO WORK LOCATION
  • DRO will now show X and Y at zero
• Load Your Project G-Code File
  • Minimize THS Plasma and copy your file from thumb drive to the “G-Code” folder on the PC Desktop (create a sub-folder with your name)
  • Maximize THS Plasma and Switch to Auto Mode
  • Open file selector in lower left and locate your project file
  • You will see your design in the preview window
• Verify Cut Parameters
  • Suggested starting values for steel sheet metal:
    • Pierce Height: 0.160
    • Pierce Delay: 0.1
    • Cut Height: 0.040
    • Cut Feed Rate: 160.0
  • On Plasma Cutter
    • Torch Height Controller: 085V
    • Plasma Cutter Range: ~60% of Yellow/1
• Perform a “Cold” Cut
  • This will validate settings without enabling plasma cutter
  • Verify torch is DISABLED
  • Press Run Program or Green button on pendant
• Enable Plasma Cutter and Cut Material
  • Pull safety curtain and wear shaded eye protection
  • Open compressed air valve
  • Turn plasma cutter to ON
  • Toggle Run/Purge to Purge on plasma cutter
    • Verify air pressure (on wall) is 60PSI while purging
  • Toggle Run/Purge to Run (air will stop after 20 seconds)
  • Set torch to enable on PC
  • Press Run Program or Green button on pendant

Post-Use Checklist (cleanup, etc)

• Once air purge has STOPPED turn plasma cutter to OFF
• Close compressed air valve
• Press PARK CUTTER
  • (press PARK CUTTER again if you get mdi error)
• Press down E-Stop
• Exit Linux CNC (Bottom right of plasma app)
• Shutdown PC (Top left of desktop)
• Turn Wall Controller Box OFF

Tool Use

Please take a class or ask for individual instruction. See #cnc-plasma slack channel.

Consumables

TBD...

Related Links

• https://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator-public/lincoln3/im399.pdf