This is my first post. So I will start saying just a bit about me before my questions and doubts. My name is Juan Carlos and I'm from Mexico; I'm 29 years old and I've made 2 CNC machines (this is my current CNC Router Pic 1, Pic 2,Pic 3) using Mach3. I'm using Mach3 2010 Screenset and it's very useful! I'm still working and I need some improves into my CNC Router, but I hope to make them soon.
Currently I'm designing a project, a CNC Plasma Tube cutting machine (attached images) for a max 8" OD * 600cm and SheetCAM it's the software that I want to use to generate the G-Codes. Until here is all OK, but I have some doubts:
- I'm not a professional CNC user, even less with CNC Plasma machines & software/hardware, in fact I'm new with that... So please, some help will be very useful!
- Recently I've donwloaded SheetCAM (TNG Development version) and noticed that it comes with many Mach3 post-processors. Also, I want to use a Tablet with UCCNC (with at least a 4GB RAM Tablet) instead a PC and also their cards (CNCdrive) that I think are a good option, like the UC400ETH. I wonder if the all/any Mach3 post-processor in SheetCAM are fully compatible with UCCNC.
- Talking about SheetCAM's post-processors; I would like to know which one can help me to my needs; due I only want to cut pipes, square/rectangular tubes and maybe angles, but not sheet/plates... So, 4th axis cutting will be needed.
- In addition to the 4th axis, I want to make some engravings with a pneumatic scriber. I'm not sure if the same post-processor can do both tasks. I'll love to do something like this videos: Wolfesmetalfab or jgsturboconm.
- Likewise, I'm not sure about which THC to buy; I mean there are like 3 that seems OK to me: Proma THC-SD (in this Planet CNC diagram seems very easy to wire up the Z axis). PriceCNC AVHC10 or MiniTHC (in which the installation seems to be fast and secure, but I'm not sure if I can use the Tablet with this product...). All of them are almost the same price and seems to be the best quality.
- Finally, talking about the material detect switch, due my X & Z axes design, I'm not sure, but I think that my best way need to be ohmic sensing due I'm not using a floating head design. But as I said, I'm new with plasma rigs and all I know it's because I've read... Does the THC (like Proma THC-SD wiring or MiniTHC) need necessarily the ohmic sensor? I ask due Proma and an ohmic sensor wiring seems to be almost the same!
Thanks!
Best regards,
ne(V)esis