New to board

[Weld4fun]

Hello all, newbie here. seriously looking at purchasing a Archlight Arch Max ultra 5x5. Is there a dedicated forum here for Archlight?

[adbuch]

Sorry - but no dedicated Archlight Dynamics section of this forum. There is a section called "Various Manufacturers Forum"where you could possibly find threads about the table you are considering. Do you have any specific questions and/or concerns about the Arc Pro Ultra 5×5 CNC Plasma Table?

David

[adbuch]

This is one of the features that was offered with the Arclight Dynamics plasma tables I always liked. I don't know if they still offer it as I was not able to find it at their website. I have this exact same auto tracer on one of my AvidCNC router tables and it works great.

David

[adbuch]

Hello all, newbie here. seriously looking at purchasing a Archlight Arch Max ultra 5x5. Is there a dedicated forum here for Archlight?

Welcome aboard! Do you have any previous experience with any of the CAD drawing program? I notice that they do have many Inkscape and SheetCam instructional videos at their Arclight Dynamics Youtube channel. Many here so use Inkscape as well as SheetCam - and there are specific sections at this forum for both.

https://www.youtube.com/@Arclightcncpla ... ems/videos

David

[Weld4fun]

Thanks for the reply’s! No I don’t have any prior experience with cad. They are putting a year end sale on now, I made a trip to Bend, Or, a month ago and toured the factory, I was very impressed with everthing they showed me. The only think I didn’t like was some of there cut quality samples they had displayed, there was lots of taper, and not so round holes, I know holes are difficult, but the taper was excessive.
The auto tracer, is no longer Available for new tables.
I’m just trying to make sure that archlight is good quality table, before I drop the coin on it. I have read nothing bad about them, but don’t see a lot info on this forum about them…?
I have a hypertherm 65 already.
I’m a heavy equipment operator, then in off season I do some fabricating, hope someday to do all fabricating, as business progresses.

[acourtjester]

If you looking for an auto trace, SheetCam has an optional software package called "Scanything"
her is an old Video on YouTube there are others too.

[adbuch]

The auto tracer software is only compatible with Mach3 or Linuxcnc. Apparently Arclight Dynamics has switched to a different controller package and no longer offers their older Linux package. I am running Scanything on a cnc router table using Mach3. So for anyone using either of these systems - Scanything is a great tool to use for auto tracing right on the table.

David

[adbuch]

I was very impressed with everthing they showed me. The only think I didn’t like was some of there cut quality samples they had displayed, there was lots of taper, and not so round holes, I know holes are difficult, but the taper was excessive.

Weld4fun - I wouldn't be too concerned about the samples they cut with all the taper and poor cut quality on the holes. Most of these problems can be corrected by using the appropriate settings on the plasma cutter and control software. Excessive edge taper can be caused by incorrect cut height, poor alignment of the torch to the table surface (not perpendicular to the work surface), and torch problems such worn or poorly lubricated o-rings resulting in air leaks at the torch head.

Problems with hole being out of round, lots of taper, etc. can often be corrected by simply cutting at a slower speed for the holes. Also could be caused by the items I mentioned above.

As long as the table you purchase has the ability to follow a cut path at the correct speed, position the torch at the correct cut height, and allow for adjustment to the torch so that it is square to the table - I really don't think it much matters which particular brand of table you use.

David

[Weld4fun]

Thank you David, sorta of what I had thought, from all the reading I have done. Maybe they are trying to sale speed instead of cut quality, with there tables. Quality is most important to me.
I have been looking at some of the projects on here that you all have cut out, it’s all very amazing, and I can see there’s lots of creative minds here!

[acourtjester]

Problems with cut quality is part of the job an operator has to produce the finished product. This can be seen with post here from members and as David points out. Understanding there is a problem and acting upon what you see to seek out the solution. These things are part of the learning procedure when starting out with plasma cutting. Using the search function in the upper right you can go back to see the types of problems that were posted and what was done to correct the problem. One of two have been real head scratchers but were resolved with help from members.

[adbuch]

Tom gives some great advise here. This forum is a great place to find solutions to problem other members may have had in the past.
David