4x4 Gantry kit - cable carrier install

[Creepy]

made the aluminum torch clamp, bored out 1.375", drilled and tapped (2) 1/4"-20 holes for the clamp, (2) 1/4" holes thru to mount on the upside down stock bracket. I let the full tip sit below the bottom of the floating head. about 1/2" clearance to work when cutting.

the profile instructions posted here aren't quite right. I used the 3000 stuff. I'd have to go look at exactly what its called, but its NOT the mp1000 series stuff. The DTHC manual included from c&cnc support disc had the proper instructions.

I'm still trying to get the DTHC to read volts while cutting, the flyout menu's for jog doesn't work.

[Creepy]

checked the profile i'm running...its MP3000-DTHC-UBOB2.

and got an answer about the jog screen, its not configured for the plasma profiles, its not a bug. torchhead guy said to use the keyboard and get a game controller, the flyout screen isn't used much.

on another topic - getting a stainless water tray made, will be ready thru the week. going to make a new slat setup, and save the stockers for dry cutting aluminum if the need may arise. oer make a frame for a light cutting table out in the yard.

i gotta get some home switches for x/y too. I'm used to homes, would prefer to work from reference on a big sheet.

[Creepy]

oh yeah, I'm working away out there. trying to tune the cuts.





the dimensional accuracy is excellent, working on the finish.

drew up some test pieces, working on feeds, getting rid of dross, and as it turns out, some ridigity issues.

this started happening and quickly got worse. gross. something is moving/not rigid. looking at the toolholder.


hhmm, floating head on Z is shakey, needed to preload these two bottom bearings on the rail. the one on the left is adjustable on a cam to preload.


frigged with that a bit.






here it is rigid again, and I have turned on the corner decelleration feature, cutting at 400imp.


yep. :) that's 2x2x1" hole in 14G.


Easy fix.


OK, enough screwing around.

Here is a CJ motor mount plate in 9/16" hardplate. about 15 seconds to cut out. I drew it up in autocad first.






apparently thick stuff is easier. :o Its damn near perfect running recommended settings, and I don't even have the voltage monitoring tip height working yet.

Stainless water tray from local sheetmetal shop will be ready soon, looking forward to getting the water system working. The dust sucks ass, a mask i was wearing looks like i was hanging my head over the blast furnace at the steel plant. orange dust.

oddly, with the dust, the thick metal isn't 1/2 as bad as cutting the thin stuff.

[Creepy]

5/16" lead in/out tests

[Creepy]

here's my first paying job......its for a Suzuki 450LTR. chain guard for rear sprocket out of 1/4" hardplate.











some frigging around.






CJ V8 motor mounts.

[Creepy]

Working on brackets for the cable carriers. I'll post up the .dxf once I'm done. and the cable carrier #'s.

No water tray yet, the shop is taking forever, but its really cheap.

Here's a vid showing the motion without the plasma on ruining the focus. feed was at 10% just at the start so I could get over to the controller and camera.



Hope you like GWAR! lol, i didn't realize how loud it was.

[Creepy]

Been making brackets for the cable carrier, the machine is reproducing.

its the raw steel one


complicated to wiggle around the 2 motors and stuff. motors removed for fit up.














bending it up








you only have to run the carrier from the mid point of the travel, I bought a little extra to make the run right across.
It was $195CAD including $50 shipping, for 10' and two mount kits. not too bad, its high quality stuff, looks great and works really smooth.




wires all in


Now I will move to the other axis and run a cable carrier down the side.

[jeepsr4ever]

When we install a cable carrier we like to include the torch lead into it. You did an outstanding job on yours! Dont be afraid to run your table by the book. Check the other posts in this area for book speeds.
_________________
I know AMC engines from oil pan to air cleaner. Performance and reliability are built every workday in our shop. We dont mess around with other makes, AMC only! If you have a question and cannot get through on our phone lines please PM me or email me personally at Jeepsr4ever@yahoo.com -Thanks

Nice hot one this year!

[Creepy]

The torch lead in with the motor wires is said to cause interference/noise and affect smooth operation of the motor, so I left it out. I have no experience with it, just what i was reading on-line and in the c&cnc manuals pertaining to grounding.

there is room to jam it in there if I feel like it later, it would be so much cleaner looking...i don't like it out, going to have to make a boom.

[Creepy]

Still waiting for the water table, its really holding me up now.

I can't mount the electronics to the table until i get the tray, so I've been working towards having everything ready to drop in place when the stainless water tray is done. The plasma and drives are mounted on the rear, the power supply and pc goes on the right side under the stainless desk.

I finished the cable carriers tho, any wires you see out will be inside the skins.




good shot of the 'no wires' hanging from the ceiling. Everything is run in the cable carrier, which follows the movements of the table. The wires are all locked in there, can't move.


ripping up a 4x8 sheet to skin in the sides.


skin with mounts holes, clearance hole for a bracket, and a spot for a couple of electrical fittings to pass the wires thru clean.


detail of pass thru fitting.


So I'm 1/2 building the table still, and half making parts while waiting. busy!

[Creepy]

Skipping ahead here a bunch - here is the first cut over water in the stainless tray. i have a bunch more build pics to get posted of the in between.

I wound up putting the plasma torch line in the cable carriers after proving to myself it wouldn't mess up the THC or motors.

Man, was the system ever picky about grounding before the DTHC would work. I pounded a 4' rod thru the floor into dirt and ran some booster cables from the table to the rod and the DTCH just started working like majic. Don't ignore the grounding! gantry, Z head, table chassis, plasma case all ground thru the floor post.

as for the water table - Smoke is all but eliminated!!! The water is 2" deep, and 1/4" under the material. There is a 60G air pig laying underneath plumbed with a 1.5" drain to the table, and i'm going to put an air chuck and gate valve on it to raise/lower the level. which i don't anticipate having to do much. fawking rust......the tray, water and slats were beautiful on installation, so clean and clear. Overnite the slats rusted and the water is now brown for life. lol

Just a few small things left, but its sooooo close to done!!

vid ran out of memory b4 end of cut. ::)

[jeepsr4ever]

We have a new water tray/slat system coming out for these tables with an adendum to the print. I cant seem to load your movie. Also what operating system are you using?
_________________
I know AMC engines from oil pan to air cleaner. Performance and reliability are built every workday in our shop. We dont mess around with other makes, AMC only! If you have a question and cannot get through on our phone lines please PM me or email me personally at Jeepsr4ever@yahoo.com -Thanks

Nice hot one this year!