docs/devel/html/plasma/qtplasmac.html#qt_scribeĪnd Spotting is the heading immediately followingĮach spindle has its own spindle.N.on signal in hal which is used to energise the torch $0 and scribing tool $1

Scribing is explained in the QTplasmac manual here Spindles >= #3 can be used for any other feature that has a spindle. M3 $1 S1 = Start the scribe after loading T1 to apply tool offsets for the Scribe. You’ll gain improved system performance, reduce machine wear, and neither system will be in competition for cut time.Another spindle question - What are the spindles actually used for? At first I assumed they were used to select offsets but looking at the manual I see you need to use tool offsets as well. My advice is to purchase two separate systems. Again, the drive motors, gear reductions, and material holding methods are different. Since routing grinds away material, tool speed is just a fraction of what automated plasma requires.īy choosing a combo CNC plasma and router machine, this usually compromises either the plasma system or the router, and in some cases both tools are compromised. The force of the router can push or shift the material out of place. These power tools can drill, bore, and cut multi-dimensional groves, but materials must be clamped down to the cutting bed.

Often compared to milling, routers need high tool-to-work torque. The heat of the plasma arc liquefies the metal and the secondary plasma gas blows the molten metal away from the plate.įor CNC routing, it’s the total opposite. Since the plasma arc is electrically charged gas, it melts metal, so a high tool-to-work torque is unnecessary. The torque of the drive motors must accelerate smoothly, but also quickly, to reach optimal cut speeds. More specifically, a CNC plasma machine needs to glide with even motion.

The CNC drive systems, motors, electronics, and z-axes needed for each process are not the same. It’s because the mechanics and motion of a router and the Powermax are very different. Although there are OEMs who make plasma machines that include a router, I’m personally wary of this kind of combination system. Some customers consider adding a router to their plasma machine, and they ask for my opinion on it.

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