Tools: Plasma CNC

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Be advised, this page NEEDS WORK!

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

  • 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.
    • 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