welding on a plasmatable

[cruz]

Hi everyone,

i have a 10x5 cnc plasma table with vibration and jitter problems.
i thinking the problem could be helped or solved if i stiffen the gantry up.

my question is can i weld on the gantry while the stepper motors are connected to the machine.
can the motors handle the welding current going through them.

i am going the disconnect all the wiring that goes the the computer, BOB and plasma cutter.

thank you.

[adbuch]

If you disconnect your motor wiring from the controller, and place your welder ground clamp close to the area you are welding - then you should not have any welding current going thru your motors. Otherwise simply remove your motors. I welded the grates together on my Plasmacam with the grates in place and the motors and wiring intact (disconnected controller from computer just in case) and had no problems. Everything still works fine.
David

[ScottRa]

I’d have to second David. I’ve welded on farm equipment with sensors and electronics before keeping the ground near the weld. Never had any issues. In a case or two I couldn’t get the welding clamp on anything so I’d take a big c-clamp and clamp it on and then attach the welding clamp to the cast part of the clamp. Make sure it’s good clean metal on the face of the c-clamp, the work piece and where you attach the welding clamp. You can also put a piece of thin wood on the screw end to keep current out of the threads.

Scott

[Rodw]

Oops, I use my plasma table as a welding table sometimes and never broke anything!

[adbuch]

[cruz]

okay, good to know.
thank you.