How to Build a CNC Plasma Cutter

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OpenBuilds Plasma Table (Paid Link): https://geni.us/plasma
Plasma Cutters for CNC Tables: https://geni.us/Plasma-Cutters

Social:
D-Flo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.dflo/
D-Flo’s Website: https://www.drdflo.com/

Video Description:
Building a CNC plasma cutter at home is as awesome as it sounds, albeit a little dangerous. Plasma can reach temperatures greater than 25,000C, and no metal in the path of this inferno stands a chance. In this build, Dr. D-Flo will show you how to control the motion of the plasma torch through linear actuators to achieve automated and precise cuts. This video will cover topics such as the operating principle of plasma cutters (high frequency versus low frequency plasma cutters), specialized components required for CNC plasma cutting like the floating head and water table, how to generate tool paths for plasma cutting, and many other topics.

This DIY plasma cutter (known as the LEAD plasma) is based off the OpenBuild’s LEAD Machine 1010 (Paid Link: https://geni.us/Lead-CNC). Dr. D-Flo received a BETA version of the lead plasma kit for review. Due to receiving the kit for free, this video is contains paid promotion, but Dr. D-Flo has used parts from OpenBuilds for several years now.

Extra Resources:
– Project page for this build: https://www.drdflo.com/pages/Projects/CNC-Plasma-Cutter.html
– CNC-compatible plasma cutters: https://www.drdflo.com/pages/Guides/Plasma-Cutters-For-CNC.html

Related Videos for Lead Machine Assembly:
Mechanical Assembly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k12o0TdIp-s&t=678s
Electrical Assembly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LY1KcPJ4s4&t=3915s

Table of Contents:
00:00 – Intro
02:21 – Parts and Overview
03:57 – Mechanical Assembly
09:12 – Floating Head
11:12 – Stand Assembly
12:15 – Electrical Wiring
13:55 – Blackbox Motion Controller
15:31 – Firmware and Control Software
17:54 – Water Table
22:05 – High Frequency Noise
29:20 – Cutmaster 40
33:25 – OpenBuilds CAM
37:17 – Cutting Speeds
40:13 – Power and Air Requirements
44:19 – Fusion 360 CAM
49:39 – Heat Resistant Holder
51:03 – Cutting Fusion 360 Parts
53:00 – Projects

Comments

speadskater says:

Great video, though you said mm/s and not mm/m

Rengan Krishna Iyer says:

How much of material lost while cutting, example for milling machine, if i use 5 mm endmill then the tool path is half the endmill diameter. Just wondering for plasma cutter

John says:

Great video 👍👍👍. Was the original size of the table supposed to be 48” X 48”? Once the table is built can it also be used for a CNC router to cut wood by using a different head with a set of disconnects to make change over fairly easy and quick?

Rahulkumar Vishwakarma says:

Sir please aap apna number send kar dijiye

Josh Palmer says:

You could isolate the water table from the rest of the machine. The extra mass may absorb some of the noise.

JohneD says:

Re: the compressor air flow….could you simply add a second compressor (identical to your existing unit) and 'T' the output lines into the cutter? I have a California Air Tools compressor and I love its performance and quietness, so I understand not wanting to change. Good luck.

Gadjet Ramjet says:

I don't know if this is elsewhere, re Compressed air, you do not want "contamination" as in oil or particles coming out of the plasma nozzle, it must be clean air. I use a "oil less" compressor. I added a "air filter", "dryer", and "de oiler" at the output of the compressor. I also use a "as short as possible" & "dedicated" air hose, meaning it is only used for the plasma cutter. And if you can use a 3/8 air line from the compressor to the plasma is better (more volume!) Additionally, I added two "portable" 10 gal. air tanks to the line. This addition is way cheaper (about $100) than it would be buying a new and very "large" compressor. It adds volume which increases the duration of "air time" to my unit, it also helps even out the "pulse" when the compressor kicks in and out, making for a more "even flow" of air. I'm using a Lincoln electric tomahawk 625. The air compressor is a Porter Cable 3 HP, 4 Gallon. This setup works easily for a 4 -6 foot cut in 1/4", and up to 8 foot in thinner material, which covers just about everything I do. If required, you pause in a cut and allow time for the compressor to recharge for longer cuts.

CW Flemmer says:

F**** awesome tutorial, very informative and well structured….Prob one of the best tut i have watched on youtube. Wel done, always excited when i get to watch your stuff. Keep it up

Enrique Alonso says:

Hi, Very interesting, I see you started at 2020, do you have an estimate for costs per moth cutting?? (electricity etc) And I missed the part of the cost of the equipment.. Thanks..

SMART ASSIST says:

What was the cost just for parts? I diy make things mostly smart “Assisi” devices (3rd Gen) to help “”me”” being disabled.. However I make extra and sell them locally.. I have looked for a small plasma cutter but they are out of my budget range being on Disability income.

I am in Atlanta, where are you located?

Rafael Verastegui says:

great video, I’ll probably start to use a CNC very soon

Александр Иорданов says:

Один трёп, толку ноль!

Ma Rt says:

Excelente trabajo , me gustó todos los tips ,parte técnica y explicaciones muy claras … felicitaciones

Rahulkumar Vishwakarma says:

Full product name and full product price

Rahulkumar Vishwakarma says:

Homemade cnc plasma machine full dimensions and full details introduction my mail comments

Rahulkumar Vishwakarma says:

Very good CNC plasma machine

Rahulkumar Vishwakarma says:

All the best engineering

Steeltree - fabricating and customs says:

It’s grounds everything needs to be grounded
Lots of grounds
Should help
Drive a ground rod outside
Come into the shop with a large braided copper wire obviously being close to the ground as possible

Tyler LaVite says:

drill a hole in the concrete and drive a ground rod that's not that hard of a solution or ground to your water main that's what i do.

Nicola Lunghi says:

The plasma head will not melt the 3d printed support?

Richard Sperry says:

stainless Steel Braided Sleeving works as a good EMI shield if you ground one end of it. I usually use plumbers solder, paste rosin and map gas to make one end solid and drillable. I will then cut the sleave to make it so I can run the cable through. Also flat fires radiate only on the sides vs round wires that radiate omnidirectional.

Bob NotGonnaTellYou says:

So I'd honestly try gluing a rubber mat to the outside of your water pan. On the bottom and up the sides. I'd also probably bend and weld my own pan. A DIY press brake to bend thinner sheet metal is an easy thing to make.

Sami Tuomisto says:

Absolutely great and clean tutorial! Thanks 👍

Bikefarm Taiwan says:

It is a great video and super informative but if the audio was better it would be twice as awesome.

Fred Web says:

The best tutorial I have ever seen! wow

Jorge Cifuentes says:

Anyone have had any issues with the flying sparks?, can they damage the wheels or aluminum extrusions?

Alex Matthews says:

Awesome work. This has been very informative

coolcamel123 says:

Insulate the table legs with rubber caps. You have multiple grounding points

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