CNC Plasma project

This is a project that I’ve been working on for a few years now. It’s a CNC-controlled plasma cutter. The concept is far from new, and commercial implementations are definitely of higher quality, but I would never be able to justify the cost of the real thing. For my extremely low volume needs, cost was the primary concern. A close second was portability.

The frame is made from 1.25″ steel that I had left over from another project, the linear bearings are second-hand from Ebay, and the electronics cost a total of around $200. It’s powered by Mach 3, and it simply moves the torch of a hand (manual) plasma cutter. It’s rather crude, but very functional.

Without a table, low-quality welds on the gantry, lack of paint and a lack of a permanent home, it’s far from finished. I’ve produced the few parts that I’ve ever needed, so I have no real drive to complete it on any sort of time schedule. As a result, I work on this only when I am absolutely bored.

Photos to come!