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CNC Plasma Cutter Vote 2022 (view source)
Revision as of 18:39, 26 October 2022
, 18:39, 26 October 2022no edit summary
== Have a Particular Machine in Mind? ==
Yes, the [https://tormach.com/machines/plasma-tables.html Tormach 1300PL].
Yes, the [https://tormach.com/machines/plasma-tables.html Tormach 1300PL].
===Wait, why this machine?===
I helped build our [[Tormach 1100 series CNC mill]] and thought it was well thought out in terms of design and assembly, and it's my understanding the machine has served us well. Because of these factors Tormach is a "known quantity" in terms of reliability and functionality.
I helped build our [[Tormach 1100 series CNC mill]] and thought it was well thought out in terms of design and assembly, and it's my understanding the machine has served us well. Because of these factors Tormach is a "known quantity" in terms of reliability and functionality.
===Hold up, this machine is smaller than our existing one!===
Yes it is. Relatively few projects required the full size of the existing table, and working with metal of that size is extremely difficult in terms of getting it on and off the table, as well as being able to monitor the job from all sides. The table size of the 1300PL easily supports 98% of the jobs I've seen people run through the years, and for the remaining 2% there are options such as working in sections and welding together after the fact, or hanging the material off the sides with appropriate supports.
Yes it is. Relatively few projects required the full size of the existing table, and working with metal of that size is extremely difficult in terms of getting it on and off the table, as well as being able to monitor the job from all sides. The table size of the 1300PL easily supports 98% of the jobs I've seen people run through the years, and for the remaining 2% there are options such as working in sections and welding together after the fact, or hanging the material off the sides with appropriate supports.
===I went to the website, OMG that's expensive! I did some searching and found plenty of tables for less money, are bigger, etc.===
Yup, same here. I did a ''lot'' of research last year before attempting to roll my own, and found that most of the equipment was of similar build quality to our existing table, used funky proprietary software I'd never heard of, or a combination of both. At the end of the day we still gotta pick something, and I decided to go with Tormach because we already have one of their machines, in addition to being more "local" than other manufacturers.
Yup, same here. I did a ''lot'' of research last year before attempting to roll my own, and found that most of the equipment was of similar build quality to our existing table, used funky proprietary software I'd never heard of, or a combination of both. At the end of the day we still gotta pick something, and I decided to go with Tormach because we already have one of their machines, in addition to being more "local" than other manufacturers.
===Isn't PathPilot (Tormach's software) proprietary?===
PathPilot is a fork of LinuxCNC. As a matter of fact, [https://forum.linuxcnc.org/pathpilot there is a dedicated section for PathPilot on the LinuxCNC's forum].
PathPilot is a fork of LinuxCNC. As a matter of fact, [https://forum.linuxcnc.org/pathpilot there is a dedicated section for PathPilot on the LinuxCNC's forum].
===How am I supposed to create files for this thing?===
[https://www.sheetcam.com SheetCam] has been our tool of choice and that doesn't change. The post-processor ''will'' change but that's about it.
[https://www.sheetcam.com SheetCam] has been our tool of choice and that doesn't change. The post-processor ''will'' change but that's about it.
===So no Mach 3?===
Nope, that part will be replaced by PathPilot.
Nope, that part will be replaced by PathPilot.
===As I understand it, the computer running PathPilot is dedicated to only running PathPilot; where can I create my files?===
As part of the accessories for the machine, the computer running PathPilot will be attached to the machine itself, so the Windows computer running SheetCam will remain where it is for you to use.
As part of the accessories for the machine, the computer running PathPilot will be attached to the machine itself, so the Windows computer running SheetCam will remain where it is for you to use.
===You said you're really busy, what makes you think you can get this thing installed in any reasonable amount of time?===
Well, Tormach has a [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=1300PL+assembly lot of videos about the machine] including one for assembly, which suggests it's pretty quick to set up, possibly as quick as a single day to go from crate to test firing.
Well, Tormach has a [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=1300PL+assembly lot of videos about the machine] including one for assembly, which suggests it's pretty quick to set up, possibly as quick as a single day to go from crate to test firing.
===Are you getting a new torch as part of this? If so, why not just use the existing one?===
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.
