since I am interested into experimenting with it I would be happy to see a small plasma module here to cut 4mm thick alluminium sheets with (just the head i would attach to an arm of some kind)
really ? noone can help me about plasma ?
Er, you didn’t ask for help.
I have a feeling that you expect there to be cheap and easy to use lasers and plasma modules for the cutting work you’d like to do. I think you’ll find that what you’re after is more expensive, more difficult, and more dangerous than you currently think that it is. I might be wrong, but I suspect that a usable plasma cutting head would be more expensive than almost anything that Sparkfun currently offers.
You can buy plasma cutters for a few hundred dollars on EBay. I would suggest buying one of these and adapting it to an X-Y plotter of some kind. I’d be looking for others that have done this and learn from them:
Small module for cutting 4mm alu?
You need to be in the 30-40A ballpark to do this. This mean at least full power from an 220v/16A outlet…
And beware most cheap chinese plasma cannot be used nearby electronic due to HF arc starting method.
I agree. This is not a simple project. It’s dangerous and quite complicated.
If you want to etch wood or cut foam, that’s one thing. But plasma cutting 4mm Al is a HUGE project. Go for it, but don’t get hurt 
Yeah, I dont think there would be anything an arduino could do for you in regards to a plasma cutter, besides maybe run the motors and sense the rotary/shaft encoders.
But that’s a totally different question. And as for small plasma module.
Dude. small is relative, small for a plasma cutter is about the size of a fist. (about)
and for power…massive amperage, its basically a super strong arc-welder assisted by compressed air.
Not arduino/sparkfun capable.
Well, yes, but only for motion control.
There is no way to make a “plasma module” the word plasma alone should bring that to your attention.
Think 10,000-1,000,000 degrees F. yeah…probably not going to fit on a board, nor be safe.
You could try to make a superconducting plasma generator, that is the only way to reduce size and allow the current to pass though.
But then heat dissipation, its never going to happen, even at superconductivity temps. (think of 2 kelvin, or -273C. for the coldest superconductors.)
In a nutshell it would take a few ounces of unobtainium. That’s all, other than that, its not a problem.
Good luck, and if nothing else, its nice to dream of crazy possibilities. But I think this one is out of sparkfun’s hands for now.
=)
xevilstar:
since I am interested into experimenting with it I would be happy to see a small plasma module here to cut 4mm thick alluminium sheets with (just the head i would attach to an arm of some kind)
Also I have experience with plasma cutters.
I was the director of advanced technologies at techshop in menlo park,
http://blog.guykawasaki.com//Slide29_3.jpg
I cut the truemors logo with a co-worker for guy kawasaki.
And I taught the class for a while too.
Some of you may even remember me from there. =)
Dustin
i am really sorry but… since i begun fiddling with this arduino stuffs my head just exploded with dreams and ideas,
i think it was the same for many of you so… i am not ashamed anymore and I decided to check about the possibility
of realizing every and each idea I have no matter how crazy it might seem.
i hope you understand
xevilstar:
i am really sorry but… since i begun fiddling with this arduino stuffs my head just exploded with dreams and ideas,i think it was the same for many of you so… i am not ashamed anymore and I decided to check about the possibility
of realizing every and each idea I have no matter how crazy it might seem.
i hope you understand
I totally understand! that’s why i said its nice to dream of crazy possibilities, and i did mean all possibilities.
Nobody can say it cant be done, just not that one right now.
I’m the craziest dreamer/inventor I know of, and I’m not one of a closed mind.
If anyone knew of most of my plans, they would mostly simply shrug them off as hopeless dreams.
But if it is barely feasible it is totally possible in my opinion. Far reaches and dreams are the backbone of modern inventions and discovery in physics/engineering.
And remember how VERY advanced technologies are created…All from one first thought or question. Just look at communication satellites, just one of arthur clarke’s marvelous idea’s year’s later and put into reality.
Consider possible mechanisms to harness for wild ideas, and start postulating best case scenario’s and what you would have to overcome, and the rest kinda falls into place nicely.
That thought process is the main reason I was the goto guy at techshop, I could help anyone on any level with anything. Mostly based off of conceptual analysis techniques, from which I could apply various useless knowledge, which turned out to be very useful knowledge. =)
But if you seriously want to make a arduino controlled plasma cutter for 4mm Al. then you want to look at a handheld plasma cutter and adapt it to moving rails controlled by lead screw attached to a motor driven by the arduino.
And you will be good, with mach3 software (CHEAP AND GREAT!)
Best of luck on your future ideas/projects, with an open-mind the only thing stopping you is you.
Dustin
xevilstar:
i am really sorry but… since i begun fiddling with this arduino stuffs my head just exploded with dreams and ideas,i think it was the same for many of you so… i am not ashamed anymore and I decided to check about the possibility
of realizing every and each idea I have no matter how crazy it might seem.
i hope you understand
Ooh and don’t get me started on the possibilities if this were a currently viable technology.
Can you imagine. I could single-handedly launch objects into space with nozzling the device. AHH JEAH!
Or mount it to a weight and hang it by a LONG ROPE and vaporize a deep hole for a well or for oil. =)
Or you could stop robberies, rapes, murders, assaults, etc.
Make a palm-mounted device, and get straight evil on someone while protecting yourself. NOT JUST HURTING SOMEONE. =)
(think grabbing someones arm, shoulder, collarbone, etc. and turning it on.)
Smells like teen spirit. hahaha
Many possibilities dude. very nice concept, I like it.
are there any straight handled handheld plasma cutters? seems all i can find around has a bent handle that does not make it cosy to embed the thing.
bdmaple:
But if you seriously want to make a arduino controlled plasma cutter for 4mm Al. then you want to look at a handheld plasma cutter and adapt it to moving rails controlled by lead screw attached to a motor driven by the arduino.
xevilstar:
are there any straight handled handheld plasma cutters? seems all i can find around has a bent handle that does not make it cosy to embed the thing.
I know for a fact that they do have straight style also. that is the kind I had played with on an x/y table. with manual z(height) control.
Look at harbor freight, maybe they have one. I think that is where techshop got theirs. I’m not sure though.
I know that you can find one, so good luck on it. =)
Have a good one.
got links ?
xevilstar:
are there any straight handled handheld plasma cutters? seems all i can find around has a bent handle that does not make it cosy to embed the thing.bdmaple:
But if you seriously want to make a arduino controlled plasma cutter for 4mm Al. then you want to look at a handheld plasma cutter and adapt it to moving rails controlled by lead screw attached to a motor driven by the arduino.
There is some straigh cutter, but I emphasize, handled plasma cutter are NOT the one to use in a CNC or computer environment. High frequency arc starting make all electronics crazy.
There is specialized low frequency plasma. Go on a cnc forum (like cnczone), you will learn a lot.
mac:
There is some straigh cutter, but I emphasize, handled plasma cutter are NOT the one to use in a CNC or computer environment. High frequency arc starting make all electronics crazy.There is specialized low frequency plasma. Go on a cnc forum (like cnczone), you will learn a lot.
There are also line filters and such that clean it up nice, also great grounds are a good start.
Techshop used or still uses a handheld conversion, there were some noise issues but only into the ac power lines, not to the pc, and that was remedied by a power line noise suppression device.
Basically a large capacitor and resistor, of what is called a low pass filter. but for larger power than a small circuit. same math/concept.
It used to lock up the cnc machine in the other room until this was installed.
There are also line filters and such that clean it up nice, also great grounds are a good start.
…
Basically a large capacitor and resistor, of what is called a low pass filter. but for larger power than a small circuit. same math/concept.
Yep, decent filtering, along with metal enclosures and decent groundplanes on PCBs will go a long way to resolving interference issues.
Re power supply filtering, it is normally better (and easier) to just buy an off-the-shelf filter rather than trying to design something.
Interesting … Can you suggest some off the shelf good filters ?
MichaelN:
There are also line filters and such that clean it up nice, also great grounds are a good start.
…
Basically a large capacitor and resistor, of what is called a low pass filter. but for larger power than a small circuit. same math/concept.
Yep, decent filtering, along with metal enclosures and decent groundplanes on PCBs will go a long way to resolving interference issues.
Re power supply filtering, it is normally better (and easier) to just buy an off-the-shelf filter rather than trying to design something.
I'd start by figuring out the voltage and current you need, then searching on Digikey.com (for "filter", then select "Power Entry" or "Line Filters"). For example, for 110V / 20A, something like this might be OK:xevilstar:
Interesting … Can you suggest some off the shelf good filters?
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … CCM1321-ND
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … 64-1030-ND
There are smaller, cheaper filters such as the following, but they won’t provide as much filtering:
and that is something that goes between the power supply and the machine or between the microcontroller and the plasma module ?
MichaelN:
I'd start by figuring out the voltage and current you need, then searching on Digikey.com (for "filter", then select "Power Entry" or "Line Filters"). For example, for 110V / 20A, something like this might be OK:xevilstar:
Interesting … Can you suggest some off the shelf good filters?http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … CCM1321-ND
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … 64-1030-ND
There are smaller, cheaper filters such as the following, but they won’t provide as much filtering: