New guy from FL

[devans850]

Getting ready to retire and figured I needed to do something after I retired to stay steady. So, I got a premier 5x5 plasma table with the viacad, sheetcam, and mach 3 software and running a thermal dynamics 60ix. I've always enjoyed metal work, and this stuff looks like a lot of fun. The cad stuff is going to be a hell of a learning curve but look forward to the challenge. A lot of good reads here and seems like there are a lot of folks that don't mind helping other folks out so, that's pretty cool.

[Joe Jones]

Welcome to the madness!

Joe

[adbuch]

Getting ready to retire and figured I needed to do something after I retired to stay steady. So, I got a premier 5x5 plasma table with the viacad, sheetcam, and mach 3 software and running a thermal dynamics 60ix. I've always enjoyed metal work, and this stuff looks like a lot of fun. The cad stuff is going to be a hell of a learning curve but look forward to the challenge. A lot of good reads here and seems like there are a lot of folks that don't mind helping other folks out so, that's pretty cool.

Welcome aboard Devan! It sounds like you've got quite a nice setup there. I had never used ViaCAD before, so I downloaded the free trial to check it out. It looks like a pretty simple program to use - and has most of the basic drawing tools you should need. I have not checked, but I do expect there are instructional videos on Youtube to help you learn the program.

I drew a simple plate with holes and added some dimensions just to see how it works. Once you make your drawing, you can export as dxf and bring it into your SheetCam for creating your tool paths and g-code to send to your Mach3.

By the way - one of he great things about Mach3 is that it will allow you to add a very effective auto tracing attachment to your table for automatically tracing cardboard templates, drawings, parts, etc. The program is called Scanything sold by SheetCam. I added this feature to my cnc router table running Mach3 and for under $300 you can buy all the parts you need - Scanything software, digital camera, lamp, cables, etc.

David

[adbuch]

Here is a list of the parts I used. You will also need to make a simple bracket to attach the camera/lamp assembly to your z-bracket or torch mount.

Click on this link to see photos of the parts.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9FecDL9jiHg63KDb9

Scanything program
https://sheetcamshop.myshopify.com/pages/store


Camera
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R4CLRQH?re ... in_title_5


Lamp
https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Illum ... BHJG2&th=1


Power cable
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HFHBK5?re ... tle_4&th=1


USB extension cable
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P8X2MRX?re ... tle_1&th=1

[adbuch]

Here is an old video from Arclight Dynamics showing how the auto tracer works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjKcyQaeus4&t=3s

And here is the SheetCam Scanything thread with more information and pictures of my setup and results.

https://forum.sheetcam.com/t/scanything ... tions/6562

Let me know if you have any questions. This would be a really great addition to your cnc plasma table.


David

[devans850]

Getting ready to retire and figured I needed to do something after I retired to stay steady. So, I got a premier 5x5 plasma table with the viacad, sheetcam, and mach 3 software and running a thermal dynamics 60ix. I've always enjoyed metal work, and this stuff looks like a lot of fun. The cad stuff is going to be a hell of a learning curve but look forward to the challenge. A lot of good reads here and seems like there are a lot of folks that don't mind helping other folks out so, that's pretty cool.

Welcome aboard Devan! It sounds like you've got quite a nice setup there. I had never used ViaCAD before, so I downloaded the free trial to check it out. It looks like a pretty simple program to use - and has most of the basic drawing tools you should need. I have not checked, but I do expect there are instructional videos on Youtube to help you learn the program.

I drew a simple plate with holes and added some dimensions just to see how it works. Once you make your drawing, you can export as dxf and bring it into your SheetCam for creating your tool paths and g-code to send to your Mach3.

By the way - one of he great things about Mach3 is that it will allow you to add a very effective auto tracing attachment to your table for automatically tracing cardboard templates, drawings, parts, etc. The program is called Scanything sold by SheetCam. I added this feature to my cnc router table running Mach3 and for under $300 you can buy all the parts you need - Scanything software, digital camera, lamp, cables, etc.

David

viacad 2d.jpg

I really appreciate the info! I'm still learning and have a lot to learn!!

[adbuch]

Getting ready to retire and figured I needed to do something after I retired to stay steady. So, I got a premier 5x5 plasma table with the viacad, sheetcam, and mach 3 software and running a thermal dynamics 60ix. I've always enjoyed metal work, and this stuff looks like a lot of fun. The cad stuff is going to be a hell of a learning curve but look forward to the challenge. A lot of good reads here and seems like there are a lot of folks that don't mind helping other folks out so, that's pretty cool.

Welcome aboard Devan! It sounds like you've got quite a nice setup there. I had never used ViaCAD before, so I downloaded the free trial to check it out. It looks like a pretty simple program to use - and has most of the basic drawing tools you should need. I have not checked, but I do expect there are instructional videos on Youtube to help you learn the program.

I drew a simple plate with holes and added some dimensions just to see how it works. Once you make your drawing, you can export as dxf and bring it into your SheetCam for creating your tool paths and g-code to send to your Mach3.

By the way - one of he great things about Mach3 is that it will allow you to add a very effective auto tracing attachment to your table for automatically tracing cardboard templates, drawings, parts, etc. The program is called Scanything sold by SheetCam. I added this feature to my cnc router table running Mach3 and for under $300 you can buy all the parts you need - Scanything software, digital camera, lamp, cables, etc.

David

viacad 2d.jpg

I really appreciate the info! I'm still learning and have a lot to learn!!

[Dishtech55]

WELCOME TOO THE BEST GROUP OUT HERE ! YOU WILL ENJOY PLASMA TABLE ONCE YOU LEARN IT..THERE IS SO MUCH YOU CAN MAKE...

[devans850]

WELCOME TOO THE BEST GROUP OUT HERE ! YOU WILL ENJOY PLASMA TABLE ONCE YOU LEARN IT..THERE IS SO MUCH YOU CAN MAKE...

Thank you!