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fahque99
Sun 09 January 2011, 20:27
Has anyone built a machine 10' x 20' for a plasma table?
I am thinking of building one this size but I am not sure if the Y beam will be ridged with a 10' span.

Do you think it would work good?

Dave
MetalHead
Sun 09 January 2011, 20:39
I think it would work fine.
domino11
Sun 09 January 2011, 23:22
Here is one that was 6' X 20'.
20' long table, 5HP spindle - Port Aransas, USA (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752)
fahque99
Sun 09 January 2011, 23:31
Yeah, the 20' part seems to be no problem.

I am unsure about spaning the gantry to 10' and if it will flex and vibrate with movement.

I only want to move a plasma torch, but vibration can be a PIA.
domino11
Sun 09 January 2011, 23:42
Dave, I cannot remember, but I do recall a discussion on this somewhere here and I believe that if you beef up the Y axis cross tubes, you could pull this off. Just cannot find it at the moment. :)
smreish
Mon 10 January 2011, 07:14
I am looking for it, but Gerald did a "not to exceed width" for the gantry. If I recall, it was ~8' feet. I will post it when I find it.

Sean
bradm
Mon 10 January 2011, 07:31
Sean, perhaps you meant this thread? (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2083)
smreish
Mon 10 January 2011, 08:33
THAT's IT! Thanks Brad.
I was trying to find the Math worksheets I did for the bending and 1/360 Delta Max verifications to support that post.

I can't find my notes anywhere, but I recall it met closer to 1/360 of the span and well above 1/240 of the span with 3/16" (.1875 wall) tube.

Best,
Sean
domino11
Mon 10 January 2011, 11:18
Yes, thats the one I was looking for. Just could not find it. :)
Jan de Ruyter
Mon 10 January 2011, 12:01
If it's for a plasma cutter a constant height is not that critical. As there is no transfer of anything between the workpiece and the torch, it is just a matter of moving the torch around.
Codered741
Mon 10 January 2011, 12:37
As was said, the deflection in a plasma machine is not as critical. But be sure to put a good Torch Height Controller in place, this keeps the torch at a constant height from the material.

So flexing in the Z direction is a non issue, but the flex in the X direction is something to be worried about, especially with the speed you can achieve while plasma cutting.


-Cody