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jamtuc
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New New

Post by jamtuc »

Hey everyone,
Brand new to the plasma/plasma table world. Bought a table from a guy who built it....very robust 4x4 table. Using Mach3, Sheetcam, and inkscape for now. Looking for a cad for dummies. I look forward to learning from this forum. Little over 2 weeks into it. Learning 3 programs at the same time can be a tad frustrating. I,m 50...51ish and don,t like more lernin..:)
Look forward to a new adventure. Thanks in advance for you help and answering all the questions.

Jamie
adbuch
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Re: New New

Post by adbuch »

Welcome aboard Jamie! It sounds like you are starting off on an exciting new journey. Lots of great information here, and plenty of cut files well. Inkscape/Sheetcam is a very popular combination among many members here. Fusion 360 is another one that is great fun to use as well. I will look forward to seeing photos of some of your projects as well as your cutting table setup.
David
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Re: New New

Post by plasmanewbie »

Welcome Jamie! Plenty of help here for all 3 pieces of software you are working with. The forums for the software can be found here viewforum.php?f=138 if you haven't found them already. Use the search box and if you don't find what you need just ask. Plenty of helpful folks here.
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acourtjester
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Re: New New

Post by acourtjester »

Welcome aboard Jamie, we all started the same way. Try to look at the 3 programs as doing different tasks and are only connected by how they are used in operational steps. the first step is the drawing of a part, Inkscape and Fusion 360 does that step. File saved in DXF or SVG format, opened in SheetCam and the operation is planned (selection of tool and how it is to be used). File saved as a G-code (.tap and other names)then opened in Mach3 for the actual table operation. firing the plasma and moving around the metal to cut. Inkscape may be the simplest to start with draw a simple box or circle, save it and move through the other steps to finish a cut operation. This will help with the proof of concept and boost your confidence (happy dance time). Select either Inkscape or Fusion 360 as your drawing program and stick with it until you are comfortable with how to create a file to cut.
Both are very powerful programs and go about the task in a different way to produce a drawing. You will find you will use both as you do more things for plasma cutting. Both are easy but you will need to get the big picture to understand how they work, to make learning easy. Lots of tutorials posted here and on YouTube to help you along the way.
have fun :Yay
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jamtuc
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Re: New New

Post by jamtuc »

4x4 table .jpg

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jamtuc
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Re: New New

Post by jamtuc »

Sorry order didnt come in correctly and the 1st is sideways
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Joe Jones
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Re: New New

Post by Joe Jones »

acourtjester wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 10:09 am Welcome aboard Jamie, we all started the same way.
Not "all" of us. :HaHa

Joe
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adbuch
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Re: New New

Post by adbuch »

Jamie - thanks for the pics! What are you using to exhaust the smoke and dust from your cuts. It looks like you have a solid bottom just below the cutting grates. Have you thought about cutting some holes in the bottom and adding an exhaust system? Or do you already have one and I am just not seeing it clearly?
David
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djreiswig
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Re: New New

Post by djreiswig »

Looks like it's possibly a water table, just doesn't have any water in it.
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Joe Jones
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Re: New New

Post by Joe Jones »

djreiswig wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:23 pm Looks like it's possibly a water table, just doesn't have any water in it.
That is what I see too.

Joe
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adbuch
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Re: New New

Post by adbuch »

djreiswig wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:23 pm Looks like it's possibly a water table, just doesn't have any water in it.
I missed that. Thanks,
David
jamtuc
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Re: New New

Post by jamtuc »

Yes it is a water table. Just doing some test cuts... didnt have water to the little shop... plan on fixing that today. I am going to use the formula found on the forum using baking soda and anti bacterial pool supply stuff...
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