Changes

== Sponsor ==

Ron Olson

 

 

== Sponsor ==  

Ron Olson  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Background ==

== Background ==

PS1 has had a [[CNC Plasma Cutter]] since [[CNC Plasma Cutter Vote V2]]. The machine has a rather ... ''interesting'' ... history that a number of folks can expound upon, but long-story-short, it's a homemade machine that has been fraught with issues from the very beginning. It has only been through the work of a number of folks who have kept the machine running and even improved it through the years that it lasted as long as it did.  

PS1 has had a [[CNC Plasma Cutter]] since [[CNC Plasma Cutter Vote V2]]. The machine has a rather ... ''interesting'' ... history that a number of folks can expound upon, but long-story-short, it's a homemade machine that has been fraught with issues from the very beginning. It has only been through the work of a number of folks who have kept the machine running and even improved it through the years that it lasted as long as it did.  

Also, one of the main issues with the existing machine is that its cuts were not fantastic; everyone who has used the machine has likely noted that the edges are generally wavy. This is as a consequence of the table being insufficiently stiff allowing wobble, especially when doing curves at higher speeds. The thought is that this ''may'' be mitigated by adding some crossbars underneath, but this is not certain and when I investigated how much the metal would cost this past summer, it was ridiculously expensive.  

Also, one of the main issues with the existing machine is that its cuts were not fantastic; everyone who has used the machine has likely noted that the edges are generally wavy. This is as a consequence of the table being insufficiently stiff allowing wobble, especially when doing curves at higher speeds. The thought is that this ''may'' be mitigated by adding some crossbars underneath, but this is not certain and when I investigated how much the metal would cost this past summer, it was ridiculously expensive.  

While we're at it, let's discuss the fact that the pan is warped, leading to the materials not sitting perfectly flat when on the table. Oh and the gearing is especially janky, allowing the gantry to wiggle back-and-forth. And, even after spending literal hours cleaning the rails with [https://zep.com/products/industrial-purple-cleaner-and-degreaser-5-gallon-pail-r45815 industrial Zep], the machine still looks like crap.  

While we're at it, let's discuss the fact that the pan is warped, leading to the materials not sitting perfectly flat when on the table. Oh and the gearing is especially janky, allowing the gantry to wiggle back-and-forth. And, even after spending literal hours cleaning the rails with [https://zep.com/products/industrial-purple-cleaner-and-degreaser-5-gallon-pail-r45815 industrial Zep], the machine still looks like crap, with the gearing being especially gummy.

Throw in that I just don't have the time to cobble together a control box, weld the supports, etc., with no certainty that the cut quality will improve, or for that matter, that it will work at all; I have been very public about my lack of experience in this area and while it's fun to learn, and just in the bit I have done I've learned quite a bit, there's no certainty the machine will be up and running anytime soon.

Throw in that I just don't have the time to cobble together a control box, weld the supports, etc., with no certainty that the cut quality will improve, or for that matter, that it will work at all; I have been very public about my lack of experience in this area and while it's fun to learn, and just in the bit I have done I've learned quite a bit, there's no certainty the machine will be up and running anytime soon.

Yes, the plan is to get a [https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/hypertherm/powermax/powermax45-xp/ HyperTherm PowerMax 45XP] as part of the package. The existing machine has been obsolete for many years and when I last turned it on, it was throwing errors that would likely require it to be repaired, which while possible, still leaves us with a machine that is less capable than the newer model.

Yes, the plan is to get a [https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/hypertherm/powermax/powermax45-xp/ HyperTherm PowerMax 45XP] as part of the package. The existing machine has been obsolete for many years and when I last turned it on, it was throwing errors that would likely require it to be repaired, which while possible, still leaves us with a machine that is less capable than the newer model.

===So I gotta relearn everything about how to use the machine?===

===So I gotta re-learn everything about how to use the machine?===

You and me both. The plan is to create a Canvas course for both learning as well as reference so we don't have to rely on the "special tricks" the current machine was full of (e.g. tricking Mach to continue a job after a torch touch-off failure. Didn't know about that one weird trick? Not a lot of people did and it was situation-dependent).

You and me both. The plan is to create a Canvas course for both learning as well as reference so we don't have to rely on the "special tricks" the current machine was full of (e.g. tricking Mach to continue a job after a torch touch-off failure. Didn't know about that one weird trick? Not a lot of people did and it was situation-dependent).

== What Are the Plans For the Existing Machine? ==

== What Are the Plans For the Existing Machine? ==

To help put the scrapper's kids through college.

Old plasma table will have to be removed to make space for the new machine. <br />

The table in it's current form is welded solid and will have to be chopped into pieces to leave the room. <br />

Nothing has been officially decided.

== Language ==

== Language ==

* [https://hub.pathpilot.com/about PathPilot info]

* [https://hub.pathpilot.com/about PathPilot info]

* [https://www.sheetcam.com SheetCam]

* [https://www.sheetcam.com SheetCam]