Optimum Z axis pitch for Torch Height Control

[robertspark]

This is a shooting the breeze question....

I have always wondered what people consider to be an optimum z axis pitch for plasma to allow thc to follow the material closely.

At present I run a 4mm pitch with a trapezoidal leadscrew and delrin nut.
But have wanted to run something around 10mm, or maybe 20mm.

The cost of ball screws have come down dramatically and their availability has increased with 1204, 1605 and 1610 being readily available.

I now see some 1616 and even 1620 (20mm pitch) are available too.

My table does 400"/min fine which aligns with hypertherm 45 book specs at 0.3g acceleration.

Hence I am curious to see what you may be running now and if you had your time over to build your table again or improve it what you would run?

I have dabbled with a belt drive drive arrangement but nothing more than a prototype or two

I have seen one manufacturer of a stand alone thc recommend a z axis pitch of between 4 and 20mm

I have looked at Velox z axis as being a bit heavy for a process with no cutting forces.
https://www.veloxcncrouters.com/xz-za-series

Stumbled across these recently which look relatively light weight and have potential as a cost effective option
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32949260389.html

I stumbled across those when I was looking at the z axis (and magnetic breakaway) of this guy which he bought as a cheapo from Amazon

https://shane.engineer/blog/break-away-plasma-torch
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33035488541.html

[East German]

Hello,

T8 trapezoidal lead screw is completely sufficient for plasma application.

I have been for years and am satisfied with it.

Peter

https://www.ebay.de/itm/8MM-Leitspindel ... fNDag0V2HA

[robertspark]

Hello,

T8 trapezoidal lead screw is completely sufficient for plasma application.

I have been for years and am satisfied with it.

Peter

https://www.ebay.de/itm/8MM-Leitspindel ... fNDag0V2HA

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Yes I've got some t8 (very common for 3d printers), T10 and T2 too for some reason in my cnc box of stuff with a mixture of brass and delrin nuts (amazing what gets collected over time).

put a couple of these on my 3d printer (dual z axis)
https://www.google.com/search?q=t8+anti ... 00&bih=757

[acourtjester]

I have been using standard acme 1/2" X 10 turns per inch with delrin nuts. direct drive from a nema 23

DSCN2569.JPG

DSCN2574.JPG

[robertspark]

I have been using standard acme 1/2" X 10 turns per inch with delrin nuts. direct drive from a nema 23

Thanks, 2.54mm pitch

(Almost the same as mine with direct drive nema 23)..... But mine did start out with I think M8 studding with a standard studding connector as a nut which had a whole lot of play and 1.75mm pitch (approx 14.5 tpi)