CNC plasma WIP - ?

Do you want a CNC plasma cutter WIP

  • Total voters
    42
JTknives

JTknives

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
8,650
I have started the process of building my cnc plasma cutter. This got me wondering if you guys would want a "WIP" of this build. Let me know if its something you want.
Thanks guys - JT
 
YES! No offense intended JT, but why is this even a question? Maybe I should have chosen the "I'm addicted to this forum" option.
 
I read, several years ago, that a plasma cut left a hard edge on the cut, as if the edge had been hardened. I don't know if this is true because I have never had a blank cut by plasma. What has been your experience?
Tim
 
tim37a said:
I read, several years ago, that a plasma cut left a hard edge on the cut, as if the edge had been hardened. I don't know if this is true because I have never had a blank cut by plasma. What has been your experience?
Tim
Click to expand...
Yes, it will create a hard edge. Most steels will suffer this heat affected zone. Much like any other steel hardening procedure, intense heat of the cut area gets rapidly quenched by the surrounding material.
Its usually no problem if the part is further processed by grinding or forging, but it can bugger up machining tools unless precautions are taken.
 
tim37a said:
I read, several years ago, that a plasma cut left a hard edge on the cut, as if the edge had been hardened. I don't know if this is true because I have never had a blank cut by plasma. What has been your experience?
Tim
Click to expand...
Had some laser cut barstock of elmax and the edge hardened. Ran it on a 60 grit gm belt and it took care of the issue
 
Lieblad said:
Yes, it will create a hard edge. Most steels will suffer this heat affected zone. Much like any other steel hardening procedure, intense heat of the cut area gets rapidly quenched by the surrounding material.
Its usually no problem if the part is further processed by grinding or forging, but it can bugger up machining tools unless precautions are taken.
Click to expand...

I would personally disagree with you to an extent. Does a plasma create a HAZ? - yes, is it as bad as you describe? - no. I think when people think HAZ thy think thy are going to have to remove 1/8” of hardened material from the edge. I’m not saying plasma does not create a HAZ but it’s actualy quite thin and easy to remove with a quick zip around the grinder. When the plasma is running properly and cutting at the corect speed there is actualy very little heat that goes into the steel. If I had to wadger a guess I would say the HAZ in a plasma cut is around .010 easily removed with a ant of the tools knife makers use.
 
Ha ! At least you admit HAZ existence...
Never implying its terrible thing. Especially on thin stuff knives are made from.
Just confirm the hardend edge does exist and seldom a problem for knifemakers.
 
tim37a said:
I'm curious - what made you decide on plasma rather than waterjet?
Tim
Click to expand...

I'd guess that cost was the main motivator. Entry cost for a decent waterjet machine is orders of magnitude higher than a capable cnc plasma, especially if building. Not sure I've heard of anyone building a waterjet though. ;)
Then there's consumables, overhead, maintenance costs, etc...

From what I understand, owning and operating a waterjet machine is a full time job, and VERY expensive.
 
JT you could do a WIP on ringing a doorbell and it would be interesting! You always do a great job on the technical builds and full of information. Would like to see more finished pics of knives
 
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