Unmatched Precision, Unbeatable PRICE | Budget CNC Floating Z-axis |Plasma Business Pt. 8

Title: Budget CNC Z-Axis Add-On: Is Cheaper Really Better? | CNC Plasma Business From Scratch Pt. 8
Link to the SheetCam post forum:
forum.sheetcam...
Description:
In this video, I’m upgrading my DIY CNC plasma cutter with a new Z-axis from JD's Garage. While it took a bit more time than expected to get everything dialed in, I eventually made it work. I’ll walk you through the process, share some tips on assembly, and talk about what to watch out for if you’re thinking of using these plans. Whether you're into CNC machining, plasma cutting, or just looking to upgrade your setup, this video has you covered
Business Inquiries: For business inquiries, please contact: [[e-mail]]
Items Used in This Video (Amazon associates links. I earn a commission if you choose to purchase these products at no extra cost to you):
Drag Chain:
amzn.to/3zVI7gk
Air Dryer:
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1: DIN Rail kit -
amzn.to/43NKFYT
2: computer monitor plug -
amzn.to/3vqJ6DF
3: On/off switch -
amzn.to/3xal9Rh
4: 4 pin panel mount connector -
amzn.to/3vr2S1Q
4.5: 2 pin panel mount connector
amzn.to/3J3Eqqe
5: NEMA Electrical Enclosure -
amzn.to/4ajzeuC
6: Arduino Uno DIN Rail Mount -
amzn.to/3xpVbt6
7: 5V Relay -
amzn.to/4aBU34c
8: Wire Ferrules Kit -
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9: Ferrules Crimping Tool -
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My stepper motors were purchased through stepper online. so I may have different belt/pulley sizes.
10: GT2 pulley -
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11: 10mm bore 5.08mm pitch pulley -
amzn.to/3J0OS1P
12: GT2 Belt -
amzn.to/3PHtK4g
13: 10mm width x 5.08mm pitch belt -
amzn.to/4cHtcoX
15: Soldering Kit
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16: Limit Switches
amzn.to/3J05qH4
17: Arduino Uno REV3
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18: Arduino Uno Panel mount Connector
amzn.to/4b8ZCaP
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Tags: #DIY #CNCPlasmaCutter #SmallBusiness #Maker #DIYProjects #CNC #Metalworking #BusinessLessons #CNCBuild #DIYCNC

[@Transformers1983jd]

I did mine many months ago. I was a bit of a pain but finally git everything going smoothly. Great job on your build so far. I'll be posting my video soon on my welding page. Daywelding youtube page.

[@ThyialIndustries]

Thanks, looking forward to seeing it!

[@ergenekon4l]

Congrats thy. I hope one day I will find the courage to pursue my dreams like you.

[@ThyialIndustries]

Everything starts with the first step.

[@sharpsticksnz4112]

Top effort mate! Keep crushin it 😎🤙

[@ThyialIndustries]

Yes sir 😁

[@jsaction33]

I've watched several of your videos and I think all your issues with the 3D printed parts are entirely self induced. I've had one of these tables for a year and a half and use it at least once a week and had no issues with printing the parts or the reliability of the parts.

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@jsaction33 that's definitely possible. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to 3D printing. However, I still feel more comfortable with aluminum parts! All in all it out performs plastic any day off the week. Just a little more expensive

[@nemesis851_]

Another purchase you may want to consider, is a eye protection hanging wall, and a physical barrier, to keep humans, and animal from being able to be in line-of-sight of the torch

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@nemesis851_ 🤣 we have two eyes for a reason, right?

[@nemesis851_]

@@ThyialIndustries I wouldn't want Fido going blind

[@rantiksadventure1920]

What was the total cost for you to build the table?

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@rantiksadventure1920 I'm making a video with a complete cost break down as we speak! Stay tuned

[@nemesis851_]

You can either label the wires (recommended) and/or make your own wiring diagram on paper for future reference

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@nemesis851_ right, or both

[@MrSlim1225]

Might wanna look at the torch height controller from JDs next. Should adjust Z axis on the fly to deal with the warping.

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@MrSlim1225 I plan on getting a THC and a new floating head made out of aluminum. I don't really trust the build quality of JD to pay them a few hundred for the THC.

[@H34...]

​@@ThyialIndustries I built a CNC plasma for work, with a DIY THC. You can build a working one for under 50 bucks pretty easily. I built one for a hypertherm powermax30 (it has no THC or CNC ports, so it's a "worst case scenario"). I used a little opto isolator (4N25) which is an LED on the input side and an optically controlled transistor on the output. Measure the operating voltage of the torch, and pick a suitable set of resistors to limit the current it would send to the opto isolator so it's within it's operating band. Add a zener diode across the input LED of the opto isolator to clip any voltage spikes from the torch firing etc. Feed 3/5V (depending on your micro controller) to the high side of the output of the opto isolator, and connect the low side to an input pin on your micro controller. Technically you "need" a resistor divider on the output rather than reading it directly, but I was lazy and it worked fine with the internal resistance of the micro controller. Read the pin on the micro controller and have it move the Z axis accordingly. Add a pull down resistor on the micro controller of whatever value required to drain ALL the noise on a dead/torch off signal. I used 10k ish. You can add some filter caps to the output if it's noisy, but don't go too big or the signal will lag behind changes to torch height which will make it impossible to chase a target position (It's better to leave a bit of noise in the signal, than to have any lag at all, speaking from experience). Note: the opto isolators have a logorithmic response to voltage, so make sure to pick a resistor that would have it operate at the lower, steeper end of it's operating curve. That way small changes in torch voltage with height result in a larger change to the signal your micro controller receives. If you pick a resistors which puts you in the upper (flatter) region of the opto couplers response curve the signal your micro controller controller receives varies much less with height, so the THC will be less sensitive and have worse resolution. A THC really makes a huge improvement to cut quality and reliability. I never bothered with a floating/dragging or static height torch because from what I heard/saw of people it just doesn't work well beyond small cuts. A couple of times my height controller stopped working (due to bugs in the code as I added new features) cut quality suffered a lot, and large cuts were awful/impossible due to warping while cutting or just the fact the material wasn't dead flat to begin with. I can share the arduino sketch for the height controller. It probably wont be a "plug and play" solution for your particular setup (I used a different controller, control board, etc.) but it may be helpful as a reference or starting point.

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@H34... I think if I had more time on my hands, I might try and go that route. Maybe I still will? But as of right now I have a lot of things pulling me in different directions... Makes it seem that purchasing a THC already made would be the best choice for time and money.

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@H34... I appreciate all the information though.

[@nemesis851_]

After finishing and confirming the solder is good, realize the heatshrink is on the table _ Kappa

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@nemesis851_ happens all the time!

[@SmokeyBBQBits]

What size is your able cut?

[@ThyialIndustries]

Little over 4'x3'

[@nemesis851_]

looks like your pan was dry

[@ThyialIndustries]

Yeah, I didn't put any water in yet. Waiting for my sterling cool cutting fluid to get in

[@nemesis851_]

Mistakes can force learning and understanding WHY ?!?!

[@ThyialIndustries]

@@nemesis851_ true that