Advice on adding on a rotary indexer for tube cutting and Oh

[DesertFabworks]

Just got in a rotary indexer for my precision plasma table, and I wanted to seek some advice on the setup and install before I tear into it.

The indexer has a 25 to 1 gear reduction. The stepper is a 620 oz and I got the 5th axis upgrade package from CandCNC to add onto my BladeRunner package.

I also got the Ohmic sensor package from CandCNC. Anyone have any feedback on Ohmic vs the touch and go with the floating head system like I have now?

Thanks!

[plain ol Bill]

you will love the feather touch.

[DesertFabworks]

What is the main advantage over the floating head system I have now? I was thinking of just using this as a crash limit switch system in case a part flips up during a cut?

[Vern2]

DesertFab,

Ohmic vs the touch and go?

My thought, Touch and go has a chance of pushing sheet metal down, before floating head closes switch, so pierce and starting cut height could be wrong. Ohmic, as soon as it touches metal it retracts, no pushing metal down.

Vern

[vmax549]

IF you are just going to index with it It will be ok but very slow in operation.

If you are going to continuous plasma cut such as pipe it will be WAY to slow at 25:1 as you will be limited to the speed of the 4th axis.

Would be good for router or mill cutting but not so much for jet cutting.

Just a thought, (;-) TP_

[DesertFabworks]

Just got the rotary axis mount built and everything hooked up. I built a dual mount so that I can move it from the Router mill table to the Plasma table by just 4 bolts. Its pretty slick. The speed is plenty fast for both the plasma and the routing even with the 25:1. I thought it would be slow but its very fast.

Just need to do some programming and get cutting.

[_Ogre]

df
how do you draw .dxf files for tube coping? have you figured this out yet?
cobratorch.net has a good tube coping program that exports .dxf files, it will draw for round to round copes only.
i need to do a flat cope on 2.5'' tubing, still haven't figured out how to draw the .dxf

i recently bought a 4 jaw chuck for my wood lathe from harbor freight.
if you need a spare chuck go to harbor freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-woo ... 31223.html

[DesertFabworks]

I have not figured out the whole rotary axis thing yet or even close. I made the mounts for both my Mill machine and my plasma machine, ran the wires hooked up a home switch, and made everything talk and turn in Mach3.

I have yet to get into creating dxf files or gcode to use it or cut anything.

I would like to find a guide to get me through this process. Its hard because everyone is using different applications or software. If I find something or get it all figured out I'm going to make a one stop guide to making it all work and post it on my plasma and mill build websites for the other people out there.

Here are some pics of what I have mounted. I the unit unbolts and moves from the mill to the plasma table very easily.