New member from Wisconsin

[Rls1160]

Hi everyone, my name is Rick (Rls1160).

I have no experience with Plasma cutting, I have a small machine and fabrication shop and I make custom items to client specifications. Some items are artistic hand forged, some are structural type items using structural iron, aluminum, stainless ect. Other items are sheet material based and are either assembled via fasteners, welding, riveting or a combination. I have a mill, lathe, contour bandsaw, TiG equipment as well as oxy aceytlene and oxy propane equipment.

Typically, I order materials cut and or sheared to size from a local supplier. I do all my design work in Fusion 360 - Pro version which includes the Cad/Cam and maching tool path features.

I am considering adding a small plasma cutter to my shop.

I am looking to get some insight on running a CNC plasma table directly from Fusion and wether this is possible? If possible I am looking for insight into what system to consider.

Looking forward to learning about CNC plasma cutting.

Thank you all,

Rick

[Rls1160]

I did find quite a bit on the forum regarding the use of Fusion 360 for importing designs to the plasma cutting table.

What I am wondering is with a commercial Fusion License is it still necessary to have machine control software?

Or can you simply purchase the gantry table and.plasma cutting machine and machine torch? Then use Fusion to design and control the CNC plasma cutting process?

Many of the CNC plasma table offerings include CAD/Cam and table control software. I think this drives up the cost of a complete system package.

I think it's possible to just acquire the gantry, table, plasma cutting machine and torch. Then use Fusion to handle design, fioe output, Cam and machine tool panhandle cutting settings.

Am I understanding this all correctly?

Thank you,

Rick

[adbuch]

I am looking to get some insight on running a CNC plasma table directly from Fusion and wether this is possible? If possible I am looking for insight into what system to consider.

You can't run a cnc plasma table directly from Fusion 360. You can use Fusion 360 for your cad/cam/post processing. But you will still need a controller to run your table. There are different Fusion 360 post processors available to generate g-code for specific controllers.

David

[adbuch]

"What I am wondering is with a commercial Fusion License is it still necessary to have machine control software?"

Yes

"Or can you simply purchase the gantry table and.plasma cutting machine and machine torch? Then use Fusion to design and control the CNC plasma cutting process?" Fusion 360 will not control your plasma table."

Fusion 360 can be used to do your cad/cam/post processing, but you will still need a controller to run your table.

I think you may be confused. The cnc plasma table will require a table specific controller to control the table. The controller and associated software will interpret the g-code from your post processor and send the appropriate signals to the stepper motor controllers, servo motor controllers, etc.

You don't necessarily need the commercial Fusion 360 version. For hobby work you can use the free version.

David

[Rls1160]

Thank you David,

Yes I am a bit confused. Many table offerings include a suite of software that includes CAD/CAM/Post processing and i guess a dedicated machine controller.

So when using Fusion for design, part set up, post processing with installed post processing software in the Fusion Library, all I actually need is the correct machine controller for the Gantry/Table/plasma cutting machine (Hypertherm)?

What should I actually be looking for in the way of gantry/table/controller? What do I ask for when talking to vendors?

Sorry for all the newbie level questions.

I am trying to wrap my head around this new to me technology.

I have Fusion 360 commercial license already. It has been part of my design workflow for quite a while.

Thank you,

Rick

[adbuch]

So when using Fusion for design, part set up, post processing with installed post processing software in the Fusion Library, all I actually need is the correct machine controller for the Gantry/Table/plasma cutting machine (Hypertherm)?

Yes,

[adbuch]

What should I actually be looking for in the way of gantry/table/controller? What do I ask for when talking to vendors?

I'm probably not the right person to ask about diy tables. I have the Plasmacam tables and they come as turnkey systems.

[Rls1160]

David,

I was on your website and E-Bay store. Impressive I must say. I'm guessing you know quite a bit about plasma cutting regardless of whether it's turnkey or DIY.

There is a PlasmaCam unit for sale near me. I may take a closer look at that one.

Thank you for all the responses and insights!

Love the cars you create!!!

Rick

[adbuch]

Thanks Rick! You can probably get a good deal on a second hand Plasmacam. It will be best if it is a DHC2 with Design Edge software. Also, it's worth a l lot more if it has the Design Edge upgrades for Advanced Height Control (both levels), Advanced Machine Control, and Advanced Design. You can always add those - the cost is $998 per upgrade. So 4K.

[adbuch]

David,

I was on your website and E-Bay store. Impressive I must say. I'm guessing you know quite a bit about plasma cutting regardless of whether it's turnkey or DIY.

There is a PlasmaCam unit for sale near me. I may take a closer look at that one.

Thank you for all the responses and insights!

Love the cars you create!!!

Rick

Rick - I don't do much cnc plasma cutting as it relates to my business. I do it more as hobby stuff like gifts for family members and friends. I have used it for making some parts for some of my hot rod projects. It's a very handy tool to have in the shop.

I've been doing the cars for many years now. Another member you might want to talk to is Tom Verity (Acourtjester). He has built I think over 10 diy cnc plasma tables and is very knowledgeable about the controllers, etc.

I did one diy build a few years back and that was enough fun for me. I'm more interested in using the tools than building them, although in my business I do build lots of tools, tooling etc. for the metal working community.

Let us know if you have more questions as you proceed and we will be here to try to answer them.

David

[Scratch]

I don’t use fusion, don’t have a DIY table, but am from Wisconsin so welcome to the forum!

[Rls1160]

I don’t use fusion, don’t have a DIY table, but am from Wisconsin so welcome to the forum!

Hi Scratch!

Where in Wisconsin are you located. I am 30 mins north of Milwaukee.

Rick

[acourtjester]

HI Rick, you are going about this the correct way, asking questions before you act. There are many members here on PS and that will give you a deeper knowledge base for asking questions. It is a varied group from all over the world with many different table and software combinations. As David has said I have built 10 tables of which I have used different electronics and software configurations. I am a very busy DIY type and am happy to help answer some questions to get you going. I am not an expert but will answer questions based on my experiences. With your background in fabrication you may or may not be interested in building your own table/controller. But this is not necessary for you to continue on to learn and use a CNC Plasma table in your shop.
I think some of your confusion is the different combinations offered by different vendors. This is due to their product packaging which is reflected in the price and complexity. This shows in the big picture of the operations, weather you can only use their package as it is totally involved. Or mix and match different electronics and software, in a more open operation.
Fusion 360 (great program) can be used to generate a DXF file to be imported into another program (CAM). Or you can configure a Post Process in Fusion to be used with a table, over my head at this point. Other programs can be used to generate DXF, SVG files to be imported into a CAM program like SheetCam to generate the G-code to then be used to work on a table.
Now the reason for a Post Processor, this is where the G-code is configured to work with different electronics (table controllers) due to the G-code commands the software will recognize. SheetCam offers a long list of Post Processors to pick from to generate the G-code to work with many different electronics packages (table controllers).
In this day and time there are many paths you can go on, buy a fully functional table with it's software package. Buy one that is ready to use and buy generic software to use with it. Or buy a kit that you assemble or go completely DIY and buy things separately learn and build your own.
Let the fun begin.

[Rls1160]

Tom,



"In this day and time there are many paths you can go on, buy a fully functional table with it's software package. Buy one that is ready to use and buy generic software to use with it. Or buy a kit that you assemble or go completely DIY and buy things separately learn and build your own.
Let the fun begin. "


Thank you Tom,

Thank you for the detailed overview. I guess I am mostly concerned with buying more than I actually need based on the capabilities within Fusion and my skill level with Fusion.

I am leaning towards getting a 3 axis capable machine.

I have a PC and or Laptop that can be hooked up.

Will need plasma machine, torch, gantry, table and machine controller.

Any suggestions on motor/drive type stepper versus syncro? Am willing to build out as well. But would need some general plan and materials guidance along, with suggestions on gantry and controllers.

Thank you,

Rick

[Rls1160]

@acourtjester


In this day and time there are many paths you can go on, buy a fully functional table with it's software package. Buy one that is ready to use and buy generic software to use with it. Or buy a kit that you assemble or go completely DIY and buy things separately learn and build your own.
Let the fun begin.


Thank you Tom,

Thank you for the detailed overview. I guess I am mostly concerned with buying more than I actually need based on the capabilities within Fusion and my skill level with Fusion.

I am leaning towards getting a 3 axis capable machine.

I have a PC and or Laptop that can be hooked up.

Will need plasma machine, torch, gantry, table and machine controller.

Any suggestions on motor/drive type stepper versus syncro? Am willing to build out as well. But would need some general plan and materials guidance along, with suggestions on gantry and controllers.

Thank you,

Rick

[acourtjester]

I have used kits form eBay that have the stepper motors, power supplies and drivers that work very well on a table. I table I an using now I switched to Servos from Stepper, it was not cheap. Stepper kits run about $400 to 3 motors and drivers with 2 power supplies. The Servos ran about $1300. plus another $120. for the power supply transformer. Nice bragging rights but not that much of a difference. Depending on how computer savvy you are going with Linuxcnc is the cheapest with both electronics and software (free to download and use). The also have a very cheap THC that works with the software too. This is what I an using on the last table I built. There are other combinations like MyPlasma, and CandCNC (member here) and others too. It will be a great addition to your shop, really handy for fabrication for projects/products. My table is multi-purpose as I also attach a router, drag knife, and diamond scribe for different projects. Here is a wall plaque I did in metal and wood.

2 tables 4x4 and new 4x8.JPG

DSCN0285.JPG

DSCN1991.JPG

I have a Hypertherm 65 with both hand and machine torches, there are other very good plasma units out there too. Size would depend on the metal thickness you will be working with.

[Rls1160]

Love the caveman plaque!

Thank you for the information. I have looked at the offerings available at CandCNC. I will look into MyPlasma and the Linux based software.

Interesting that you mentioned no major difference between steppers and servo drive motors. There's a way to cut some costs. Are 8020 Aluminium extrusions a reasonable and accurate structural material to use for the table base and legs?

Rick

[adbuch]

Love the caveman plaque!

Thank you for the information. I have looked at the offerings available at CandCNC. I will look into MyPlasma and the Linux based software.

Interesting that you mentioned no major difference between steppers and servo drive motors. There's a way to cut some costs. Are 8020 Aluminium extrusions a reasonable and accurate structural material to use for the table base and legs?

Rick

The Plasmacam DHC and DHC2 tables use servo motors for the x and y, and stepper motor for the z.

[Scratch]

I don’t use fusion, don’t have a DIY table, but am from Wisconsin so welcome to the forum!

Hi Scratch!

Where in Wisconsin are you located. I am 30 mins north of Milwaukee.

Rick

I’m in Hudson, on the western edge of Wisconsin.

[acourtjester]

The main difference with servos is the speed it will move. But stepper will move fast enough for cutting thin metal with out stalling. Some like really fast rapid speeds (moving between cut operations, while not cutting). Not a big thing with me.

[Rls1160]

I don’t use fusion, don’t have a DIY table, but am from Wisconsin so welcome to the forum!

Hi Scratch!

Where in Wisconsin are you located. I am 30 mins north of Milwaukee.

Rick

I’m in Hudson, on the western edge of Wisconsin.

I know Hudson, in fact my wife and I just passed through there on our way up and back to Minneapolis for our son's wedding.

I also know a few people in that area.

Small world

[adbuch]

One of the main differences between tables with servos vs. steppers is that the servos run closed loop. That means that each servo motor has an optical encoder attached to the motor to keep track of exact position. Steppers generally run open loop, so no way to tell if you have missed a step, stalled, etc. But under most circumstances, the performance is about the same.

My Plasmacam tables run servos, and my AvidCNC router tables run steppers. Both are very reliable systems.

David