[Emc-users] Plasma build - early planning.

[Greg Bentzinger via Emc-users]

So I want to build a combo table with dual Z slides - Plasma and Mill/Router.
I have a 50A 60% duty cycle scratch start machine now. I know that if I use it 
I will have trouble with fine screen and expanded metal will be hopeless.
On raw stock it works great, but one of the key reasons I bought it was to tear 
down units for recycling. Baked enamel used on washer dryers requires me to 
grind a clean spot for ground clamp and a spot for each cut start.
Knowing that now I would have paid the extra coin to have the pilot arc 
feature. Am I going to have to get a pilot arc system to be viable for CNC use?
I want to use a magnetic break away mount for the Plasma slide as I also may 
mount a Laser on that slide.
The Mill / Router side will also have quick changeable mounts (quick being a 
relative term) to hold a Router or on the other mount a SEIG X2 mill head I 
found on Craig's list. The X2 head will allow use of all types of R8 tooling 
and the OEM DC motor is a fair match for the rigidity of a 52" wide gantry.
I am thinking of using dual 16mm ball screws fixed with rotating nut drive on 
the gantry legs - This will allow the speed I want without screw whip issues. I 
actually think this might be cheaper than rack/pinion drive, but with dirt 
issues.
Since plasma is not currently part of my business, this project has no real 
budget, but I have collected all kinds of motion control parts, bits and pieces 
that I can use.
Also what is the simplest THC to use with LCNC?
Since the budget also does not provide for enhanced compressed air sources I 
will be adding air pressure switches with logic Pressure low, pause between 
cuts, and pressure good, to resume or start a program.
I may do a 26"x 26" as a preparation build - but that small I might just use 
belt drive.
Ideas?
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