Plasma CNC

Summary

Build a large sized XY CNC table capable of using a plasma torch to accurately cut metal.

Project lead: Toby Team: Location: Metalspace Status: Design phase

Help wanted: electronics, cad, frame

Equipment

• 2x Y-axis 2m Rollon ELM65 enclosed linear rail
• 1x X-axis Rollon ROBOT130 X gantry
• 2x Servo motors 86HSE8N-BC38
• 2x HSS86 servo motor drivers
• 2x planetary gearboxes
• A crappy steel frame

The Rollon rails are very high quality industrial components that are sealed to dust. The Y axis rails use toothed belts inside the rail and the X axis used ball screws and twin linear rails. The motors are large high powered units with encoders that measure the actual movement and sends it back to the driver. This closed loop setup means that the driver can compensate for any missed step allowing for finer microstepping and increased reliability.

Software

Looking at the HSS86 datasheet it appear to work just like standard polou steppers that take a ENABLE, DIR & STEP signal input. Therefore a GRBL based controller should be ideal for driving the CNC.

I have successfully drive one of the motors using a basic arduino sketch to send pulse and dir signals. Setting the signals high +5 volts with a common ground did not work. The datasheet for HSS86 shows a common 5v with a on signal represented as pin output low