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 Posted 7/1/2016 7:01:19 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Hello everyone,
Learned a lesson about insufficient grounding of my plasma table when testing
the system didn't work exactly as expected.
If your CNC plasma table and related components are not properly
grounded, you will very likely have problems and glitches of all sorts
when you start using your system to cut parts. Here are the words of
an expert. vertigo
CNC Machine Grounding written by: Jim Colt Hypertherm Corporation
“Grounding of a CNC plasma machine is important for a few different
reasons...some are safety related and some are electrical noise
interference related. The level of need will vary from CNC machine to
CNC machine....and also varies depending on the design of the plasma
system. Also....the work lead from the plasma is not considered a
"ground", but rather it is the return path for the cutting current.
Noise issues created by high frequency start plasma systems. Older
technology air plasma systems (many of the import low cost air plasma
systems are still produced with this technology) as well as almost all
"Industrial" plasma systems use a high voltage high frequency
discharge at the beginning of every start cycle to ionize the plasma
gas....to start the torch. This 15,000 volt, 3 megahertz pulse can
shake up low voltage motor, encoder, and computer inputs and
outputs....especially of CNC machines that use a standard office
computer or laptop as the machine control. The starting effect of the
high frequency can simply affect the computer to the point that it
will not function (reboot).....or it can literally destroy circuitry
in the computer and drive electronics. Proper earth grounding,
shielded computer and drive cables...as well as electronics designed
with proper I/O input filtering are a must when using high frequency
start plasma systems.
Noise issues created by inverter based plasma systems. Newer
technology inverter based plasma power supplies also can create
electrical noise interference similar to....but not as severe as the
above high frequency noise. Inverter power supplies develop a "pulse
width modulated" output frequency that can be in the range of 16 khz
to 60 khz (depending on power supply and manufacturer design).
Typically the effect of this technology...especially on stepper driven
CNC machines will be with rough motion....or strange error messages on
the PC used as the machine control. Usually a good earth driven ground
and proper grounding of each electronic component of the machine to
the earth ground will eliminate issues when this type of plasma is
used.
Electrical grounding issues that affect height control. Poor work lead
connections to the actual plate....as well as poor cutting machine
frame and cutting bed ground connections can provide both safety as
well as inaccurate (arc voltage based) height control operation. The
height control system on most CNC plasma machines is dependent on a
good arc voltage reading between the material being cut (positive) and
the torch electrode (negative). Poor grounding and stray cutting table
voltages can and often do affect the control of torch height.
Industrial grade CNC machines all use a specifically designed
hardened, shielded, isolated CNC control that is designed to not have
issues with electrical noise from any type of plasma.
Still....industrial tables (when properly installed) all have a
dedicated ground rod for safety and operational issues.
Entry level machines that use an office PC or Laptop are far more
susceptible to electrical noise and safety issues....and should always
be installed with a dedicated, properly designed grounding system as
well.
I have both a PlasmaCam (with Hypertherm Powermax85) and a Torchmate
(with Powermax45) entry level machines in my home shop.....both have
had issues with electrical noise interference. Both sets of issues
were solved with proper machine grounding, a ground rod, as well as
with input line conditioning (for the computers and the drive
electronics) through a common UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
available at office supply stores.”
Jim Colt, Hypertherm Corporation
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| Posted 7/1/2016 7:24:18 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Visits: 5,166
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Hello everyone,
Here is an old trick taught to me by a professional welder friend of mine.
Spring operated grounding clamps in reality have very little contact with the metal they are clamped onto.
Not much of a problem, usually, for general purpose welding but frequently a problem when grounding a plasma table, as I experienced, and even much more so when completing the circuit between the metal cutting stock and the plasma cutting torch.
Fray the end of the grounding or circuit completion wire, bunch it up into a roll, place a 2 inch automotive freeze plug on top, and clamp it down tight with a C-clamp. This grounding and circuit completion method is very effective because the bunched up wire make hundreds of contacts with the metal that it is clamped onto.
vertigo
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| Posted 7/2/2016 8:07:13 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Visits: 5,166
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Hello everyone,
Finally, got my militarized Tough Book setup for my CNC plasma table and CNC milling machine programs.
Have a number of DXF files imported and G-coded into Torch Mate that I plan to cut tomorrow.
Attached a photo showing a G-code file set up in Torch Mate to cut part of the Tumbler roof panel assembly with openings for the stack exhausts.
vertigo
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| Posted 7/4/2016 5:39:01 PM |
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Supreme Being
Last Login: 4/6/2024 5:28:59 PM
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Visits: 5,334
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How does the can of fruit punch figure into the build? 
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| Posted 7/22/2016 8:30:33 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Tumbler status:
Set up my front axles today with my front axle alignment jig. Started to weld them into the arms but decided that I was not satisfied with my Tumbler's straight arms and made up my mind to modify the very heavy duty arms I spent a lot of time building into the movie correct angled arms. Quiet a lapse in clarity of vision. I think I've always been conflicted on straight vs angled Tumbler arms. The movie correct angled arms always weakened the stability of the Tumbler's stance and performance ability. The straight arms greatly strengthen the Tumbler's stance and performance but take away from the Tumbler's frontal personality. vertigo
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| Posted 7/24/2016 8:04:08 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Visits: 5,166
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Hello everyone,
Spent six hours working on Tumbler arms, setting up for cutting, and checking/comparing every related measurement. Attached an image that shows the difference between straight and angled arms. vertigo
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| Posted 7/24/2016 10:10:59 PM |
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Supreme Being
Last Login: 4/6/2024 5:28:59 PM
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Visits: 5,334
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| Angled arms are the way to go. Are you really going to try and build two cars at the same time?
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| Posted 7/25/2016 6:27:06 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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“Are you really going to try and build two cars at the same time?” Sly
YES
I am building the Tumbler and B v S DOJ Batmobile mostly as
appreciations of beauty. Creating sculptural art that revolves around
this concept. The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity
in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. To me, the
Tumbler and all of the other Bat Vehicles are sculptures of tremendous
beauty. The originality of design and collective interactions of
philosophy, vision, lines, angles, curves, and mechanics still stir my
thoughts and emotions. It might take me a few more years but I feel
certain I will complete both these builds. I have no set completion
dates. I am in no hurry to reach the end of this journey. I am
enjoying the ride. I find my Bat vehicle builds mentally challenging;
escapes from the mediocre and mundane. What Roopa might describe as,
“artists dwelling in a world of possibility. In places where reality
meets fantasy and fall in love together.”
A friend of mine explains his artistic motivation in a more simple way.
I do because I can.
I can because I want to.
I want to because others said I could not.
BIG WAVE DAVE, builder of a completed four seat Batman Tumbler wrote
on 1/12/2010 5:14:46 (post 78079) when he was building his Rumbler.
“It’s a ton of work but enjoy the process. It’s like defining
happiness….It’s not a destination, happiness is a journey” BWD.
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| Posted 7/25/2016 6:35:59 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Why do Batman related artists create comic books, paintings, posters,
sculpture, literature, music, movies, and cartoons, etc……? Here is an
excellent article written by Roopa Dudley that examines the possible
motives that may drive the Batman related artist to create Batman art.
IN PARTICULAR WHY DO PEOPLE BUILD BATMOBILES AND OTHER BATMAN RELATED VEHICLES?
Batmobiles and Batman related vehicles are sculpture
This article could be used quite effectively to assess one’s own
motivation(s) to build.
WHY DO ARTISTS CREATE ART?
Roopa Dudley
Artist Painter at Roopa Dudley Paintings
www.roopadudley.com
TO FEED THEIR NARCISSISM. As children, most artists have spent
countless hours perfecting their craft. Some prefer painting over
illustration. Some prefer sculpture over painting. They like when
people see their paintings and gasp or do a double take. REWARD:
Attention. It makes them feel special and reinforces their positive
self-worth.
TO CAPTURE TIME. Time is always slipping in the future and that scares
them. Moments where they have not spent time creating, thinking or
drawing are unforgivable moments to them. It is their deep rooted
desire to “capture” or “preserve” a fleeting moment forever so to say
by putting it on a blank canvas and hence making their past into
present and future and doing so preserving time in a time-capsule
permanently. That makes them quite gratified and happy. REWARD:
Immortality. The knowledge that their art will live long after they
are dead.
TO ENTERTAIN SELF & LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE. Some artists dwell in a world
of possibility. It is a place where reality meets fantasy and fall in
love together. These artists create art to depict common day
expressions that most don’t even give a thought about and give them a
new meaning and form. It is at this point their “eureka” moment turns
to the viewer’s “eureka” moment as they can see and relate to the
illustrated idea which is usually followed by a grin or a chuckle.
REWARD: Recognition. It serves their narcissism well because in a way
that is a reward for recognizing their genius.
TO ESCAPE DRUDGERY & MUNDANE. Most of the news they see and hear
presents a pretty bleak image of the world. The deaths, murders,
rapes, injustices, cruelties to humanity and animals affect their
psyche severely. Since they find themselves helpless to prevent this
ugly reality, the way to cope with it all is to escape to their little
fantasy world. If they don’t, they may suffer from depression. REWARD:
Psychological Relief and mental well-being. They heal themselves and
even the viewers through empathy.
TO MAKE A POLITICAL STATEMENT. Some artists go beyond themselves and
their well-being and want to feel actively involved and connected in
their community. These are todays Pablo Picassos and Jacque Louis
David’s of the world. They want to retaliate, provoke and challenge
the society and its values. They strike back with their art and if
their art is good, it makes a huge impact. This type of art is
cathartic to the masses and helps the society to cope with feelings of
isolation or that “they are not alone”. REWARD: Impact. Their art
makes those blinded by rage and confusion to see and face reality and
its consequences.
TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY. These artists are preoccupied with beauty. They
show their love for beauty by creating art that revolves around this
concept. It can be figure, face, nature or space. They want to capture
that essence the way they see it and then share their joy with the
world. REWARD: Acknowledgement. People in general are attracted to
beauty and that is why decorative art is popular to this day. It
enhances their lifestyle and makes a house a home.
TO SHOCK. These artists get a rush when they get a strong reaction
from the viewer and that does not have to be a positive one either.
They are the least artistic type and perhaps the most despised of all.
REWARD. Notoriety that leads to Free Publicity. This is all they need
to continue creating what we generally call horrific, repulsive,
disgusting, and grotesque art. Then there is of course a combination
of the above mentioned
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| Posted 7/31/2016 8:02:33 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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Visits: 5,166
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Have measured out to reconfigure my straight Tumbler arms into the movie correct angled arms.
Was not looking forward to having to use a cutting torch and cut off grinder to complete the job.
Today I happened to see this metal cutting circular saw in the Northern Tool catalog. A eureka moment for me.
This Milwaukee 8 in. Metal Cutting Circular Saw delivers faster, cooler, cleaner metal cutting. Forget the showers of hot metal chips and sparks that were once an aerial threat on the job. This saw shears with a virtually spark-free wake and cool, burr and scorch-free edges that don't require post-cut finishing. Metal shavings are effectively contained with a durable magnesium blade shield and channeled into the saw's integral chip tank. It makes tough cuts: up to 10-Gauge sheets and 1/4 in. steel plate cuts all day, every day. Even more extreme cuts, up to 3/4 in. steel plates, are possible. Specially formulated cermet tip metallurgy and tooth geometry ensure these incredible blades cut faster, stay sharp longer and resist more impact, resulting in less blade changes.
•Driven by a powerful 13 Amp (1-3/4 max HP), 3700 RPM motor and equipped with a full grill of razor-sharp, cermet-tip teeth
•Durable blade shield with integral chip tank deflects/collects hot chips and sparks
•Plunge lever for fast, effective plunge cuts
•Exclusive quick-release shield latch for fast waste disposal and blade changes
•2-9/16 in. cut depth for 1-pass cuts through most common materials
•Dry-cut technology provides faster, cleaner, more affordable metal cutting
•Cool cutting also means that materials can be handled almost immediately, reducing downtime
•Premium cermet-tipped blades cut faster, cleaner and longer than other carbide-tipped or friction blades
•5-year limited warranty
•Comes with carrying case vertigo
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