He Made His Own Computer-Controlled Plasma Cutter
Keith Wright wanted a CNC plasma cutter, but he didn’t want to pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a commercial unit. So, he bought a cutter and the computer software and put together his whole system for less than $5,000 with the help of his father, Donald, a retired machinist. Not only does it work well, Wright can cut metal up to 4 by 4-ft. and 1 in. thick.
In addition to the computer in his house he has a computer in the garage to “talk” to the plasma cutter.
“I can cut out nearly any design I want,” says the Mattoon, Ill., printing press operator. He’s cut out practical things such as a part for a lawn mower deck for his brother-in-law. And he’s used it for fun things too such as a Lady Antebellum sign for his sister.
Wright admits to being an electronics nerd, so learning new software is part of the fun.
“The best thing about designing your own CNC plasma cutter is learning how all the stuff works. Mach3 is the CNC software that actually runs the motors. Sheetcam is what creates ‘G-Code,’ and that’s what the motors need to know what to do,” he explains. “All CNC equipment has to have code to run. The plasma cutter that I have hooked to the table is a Hypertherm 45.”
He set up a water table under the cutting bed to catch plasma dust and stop it from going in the air. The plasma cutter can make as much as 6.5 lbs. of fine dust per hour. The table holds 35 gal. of water and has sodium nitrate to stop rust and Physan 20 to stop algae from growing.
“I installed a Digital Height Controller that monitors the voltage at the head of the cutter,” Wright adds. “It holds the height to .060 in. above the metal at all times. If the steel is warped, it will see the voltage increase or decrease and will automatically move to hold the .060 cutting head height.”
He also installed a laser light that he turns on with his computer so he can see where the cutter will start.
With programs on his house computer – Autocad 2010, Corel Draw, Inkscape and Sheetcam – he can draw anything he wants to cut.
It may seem intimidating to set up a CNC plasma cutter, but Wright says the extra work was worth it. “Anybody is welcome to email me if they would like to build something like this or ask questions,” he offers.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Keith Wright, 10154 E. County Rd. 1200 N., Mattoon, Ill. 61938 (ph 217 258-8866; keithoneus@yahoo.com).
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He Made His Own Computer-Controlled Plasma Cutter COMPUTERS Keith Wright wanted a CNC plasma cutter but he didn’t want to pay $10 000 to $20 000 for a commercial unit So he bought a cutter and the computer software and put together his whole system for less than $5 000 with the help of his father Donald a retired machinist Not only does it work well Wright can cut metal up to 4 by 4-ft and 1 in thick In addition to the computer in his house he has a computer in the garage to “talk” to the plasma cutter “I can cut out nearly any design I want ” says the Mattoon Ill printing press operator He’s cut out practical things such as a part for a lawn mower deck for his brother-in-law And he’s used it for fun things too such as a Lady Antebellum sign for his sister Wright admits to being an electronics nerd so learning new software is part of the fun “The best thing about designing your own CNC plasma cutter is learning how all the stuff works Mach3 is the CNC software that actually runs the motors Sheetcam is what creates ‘G-Code ’ and that’s what the motors need to know what to do ” he explains “All CNC equipment has to have code to run The plasma cutter that I have hooked to the table is a Hypertherm 45 ” He set up a water table under the cutting bed to catch plasma dust and stop it from going in the air The plasma cutter can make as much as 6 5 lbs of fine dust per hour The table holds 35 gal of water and has sodium nitrate to stop rust and Physan 20 to stop algae from growing “I installed a Digital Height Controller that monitors the voltage at the head of the cutter ” Wright adds “It holds the height to 060 in above the metal at all times If the steel is warped it will see the voltage increase or decrease and will automatically move to hold the 060 cutting head height ” He also installed a laser light that he turns on with his computer so he can see where the cutter will start With programs on his house computer – Autocad 2010 Corel Draw Inkscape and Sheetcam – he can draw anything he wants to cut It may seem intimidating to set up a CNC plasma cutter but Wright says the extra work was worth it “Anybody is welcome to email me if they would like to build something like this or ask questions ” he offers Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Keith Wright 10154 E County Rd 1200 N Mattoon Ill 61938 ph 217 258-8866; keithoneus@yahoo com
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