Newbie Plasma Cutter Wannabe

[MajorCNC]

Hello everyone
I have been lurking for a little bit and am amazed at this community. Lots of talented and sharing folks. I am going to try my first plasma cut tomorrow -- yikes -- on a community school machine. Which means I know little to next to nothing about it.

Question -- this file I created for a 33w x 24h sign -- do you think the tree on the left has too many branches? Will I even be able to cut it? I don't want to burn up a huge piece of expensive steel on a complete failure

I haven't 100% finished the bottom word. BUT any and all criticisms would be greatly appreciated.!
Tks Donna

Crosland.png (34.44 KiB) Viewed 9646 times

Crosland.png (34.44 KiB) Viewed 9646 times

[adbuch]

No - I don't think it has too many branches.

Perhaps consider attaching a sharpie pen holder to your torch and drawing your part instead of cutting so you can see how it will look without possibly wasting and expensive sheet of metal. Otherwise - with a few small details shown in my screen shots below - I think your file will cut fine.

David

[adbuch]

[MajorCNC]

cut paths 2.jpg

Appreciate your very detailed response --- so excited!!
Creating a gift for some amazing neighbors who helped us through the winter.

[MajorCNC]

No - I don't think it has too many branches.

Perhaps consider attaching a sharpie pen holder to your torch and drawing your part instead of cutting so you can see how it will look without possibly wasting and expensive sheet of metal. Otherwise - with a few small details shown in my screen shots below - I think your file will cut fine.

David

cut paths.jpg
cut paths 1.jpg

I appreciate you so much for taking the time out to look at my file. Will definitely take your suggestions to heart -- love the sharpie idea!!

[plasmanewbie]

Design looks great! Im sure your neighbor will love it. lots of practice runs before you pull the trigger is a good idea. Davids sharpie marker is a great idea as well. Best of luck and please post a completed picture

[adbuch]

I assume that the school shop has someone there on staff that knows how to setup and run the plasma table and cutter. I would recommend starting with a smaller practice piece until they get the table dialed in for you. With a part like yours, if you can reduce your corner acceleration to something like 0.05 G, that will be helpful as well for cutting those small details.

Maybe just cut something like this part of your drawing with the tree details that you are worried about. If you have success with that, then move up to the whole piece. I have included the dxf file below.

David

tree for test cuts.dxf

(398.77 KiB) Downloaded 12 times

tree for test cuts.dxf

(398.77 KiB) Downloaded 12 times

[acourtjester]

If I may offer another suggestion, to make the plaque a 2 layer project. This requires using Inkscape ( or Lightburn) to isolate the outside line of the drawing and use the Outset function in Inkscape. The will slightly in-large the outer shape of the plaque to be used as a backer for the project. paint the back a contrasting color and it will also help to hold the thinner sections in place and make the whole project pop.

PS image.JPG (44.77 KiB) Viewed 9140 times

PS image.JPG (44.77 KiB) Viewed 9140 times

[adbuch]

Tom shows a great technique here for the 2 layered approach. Nice work Tom!
David

[plasmanewbie]

Great work guys and great looking sign

[The-Meerkat]

David,
The suggestion about making a 0.125” diameter circle and moving it around to double check the clearance between cut paths is simple and genius. Awesome.

[adbuch]

David,
The suggestion about making a 0.125” diameter circle and moving it around to double check the clearance between cut paths is simple and genius. Awesome.

Thanks Scott!

[acourtjester]

sharing tricks like that is great

[MajorCNC]

Wow --- all of these suggestions are so helpful. I haven't cut the pattern yet. A bit nervous and I like the idea to start smaller

[cuttinparts]

Wow --- all of these suggestions are so helpful. I haven't cut the pattern yet. A bit nervous and I like the idea to start smaller

I totally get being nervous. For me to get the confidence to cut something I am concerned about I used to use a Sharpie marker hose clamped to the side of my torch to do a test run without cutting anything. Since then I have picked up an Easyscriber for test runs and of course for general scribing but this was even better since it is quickly installed and on the same x0y0 center as the arc if I were cutting. Best of luck with your project, would love to see a pic when you get it cut.

[MajorCNC]

I really liked the sharpie idea --- except the school said it wouldn't last for even part of the 'cut'. I will definitely include a pic! The other unknown today is that they are installing a huge industrial laser and said that they would love us to 'test' our design on it. I will definitely look into the Easyscriber -- sounds like a fantastic alternative to the sharpie.

[cuttinparts]

Laser! Sounds awesome, wish we had that when I was in school. Sounds good and let us know how it turns out either on the laser or the plasma.

[adbuch]

I really liked the sharpie idea --- except the school said it wouldn't last for even part of the 'cut'. I will definitely include a pic! The other unknown today is that they are installing a huge industrial laser and said that they would love us to 'test' our design on it. I will definitely look into the Easyscriber -- sounds like a fantastic alternative to the sharpie.

The laser should give you some nice clean detailed cuts.
Good luck with your project!

David