RevSpace - User contributions [en-gb]

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-21T01:43:59Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:
 
[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]
 

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder 
 
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing rev 2.1.PNG|1280px]]

File:Blockdiagram sturing rev 2.1.PNG

2015-10-21T01:43:07Z

Slush: revised blockdiagram

revised blockdiagram

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T20:20:19Z

Slush:

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T20:17:40Z

Slush:

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T20:16:06Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram: 

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]
 

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder 
 
 
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing cropped.png|1024px]]
 
(slush)

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T20:12:32Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder,
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing cropped.png|1024px]]

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T20:12:10Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder,
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing cropped.png|1536px]]

File:Blockdiagram sturing cropped.png

2015-10-20T20:11:27Z

Slush: stuurdiagram xy-tafel

stuurdiagram xy-tafel

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T19:54:38Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder,
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing.JPG|1536px]]

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T19:53:54Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]

blokdiagram sturing plasmasnijder,
[[File:Blockdiagram sturing.JPG|1024px]]

File:Blockdiagram sturing.JPG

2015-10-20T19:49:36Z

Slush: voorgesteld blokdiagram sturing xy tafel

voorgesteld blokdiagram sturing xy tafel

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T19:23:37Z

Slush:

{{Project
|Name= CNC plasma cutter
|Status=Initializing
|Contact= Walter, [[User:Smeding|Smeding]], [[User:Gori|Gori]], [[User:Yotson|Yotson]], [[User:Semafoor|Semafoor]]
}}

After acquiring a [[Plasmasnijder|plasma cutter]] at the space, it seemed only logical to try and fabricate a CNC version eventually.

This goal is still a while away for now, but as always, we are full of Ideas and this is a convenient place to put them.

== System overview ==
The diagram below shows the proposed system setup.

[[File:plasmacnc.svg]]

From left to right:
* design software (like inkscape) is used to design the shape to be cut and to export it as svg.
* job setup software (unknown, but something like visicut) is used to position the shape and convert it to g-code.
* linuxcnc (or possibly grbl) is used to "execute" the g-code through the control hardware.
* the control hardware powers the motors of the cutting table and controls the plasma torch

We're basing this project on an old X-Z traversing unit originally made for measuring air velocity distributions in wind tunnels at a metrology institute. The current motor controllers, however, seem to be made for a fixed speed and it's probably easiest to replace the electronics altogether.

<gallery>
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_front.jpg|X-Z traversing unit before any modifications
File:X-Z_traverseerunit_stuurelektronika.jpg|Current control electronics with DC-motor controllers and Mitsubishi PLC
</gallery>

A Z-axis seems required to control the torch height. It won't need to move very far, quickly or precisely, though.

== To-do list ==
# Decide how to control the machine. There seem to be two basic options: GRBL and LinuxCNC
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] knows a little bit about LinuxCNC and is willing to do some of the work
# Design and build interface/driver hardware for motors and encoders
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this
#* [[Benadski]] has motor controller hardware that takes PWM as input.
# Set up a PC that can withstand the general environment of the SparkShack (EMI, humidity, temperature)
# Get basic motion control working so that the machine moves
# Design and build interface hardware for the plasma torch, so it can be turned on and off. Will probably want voltage sensing for torch height control.
#* [[User:Smeding|Smeding]] is willing to help with this, too
# Add a third axis to the machine for torch height control
# Put everything together -- implement the software side of things for torch height control and reading e.g. SVG files

connection diagram:

[[File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG|1024px]]

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T18:58:49Z

Slush:

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T18:58:23Z

Slush:

File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG

2015-10-20T18:57:31Z

Slush: Slush uploaded a new version of File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG

File:XY-tafel connection diagram bewerkt.JPG

2015-10-20T18:54:48Z

Slush:

CNC plasma cutter

2015-10-20T18:53:24Z

Slush: