pp256 on a cnc plmas table

[cdale2002]

im hoping someone can tell me if its safe to use my powerpro 256 on a cnc plasma table. I know the HF start seems to be the biggest concern based on the research ive done. Im planning to run it on a viper plasma table and im in the process of try to get a hold of viper to get an answer from them so i figured in the mean time id try to get an answer from here. is there a way to make it work or am i wasting my time and buy a dedicated machine for cnc. any help is greatly apperciated.

[SeanMurphy265]

This link would be a good start from acourtjester

[cdale2002]

Thanks and yeah it was very informative but i didnt see him do anything about the hf part. Maybe im just worrying about something thats not a big deal. I got a hold of viper plasma and they recommended to ground the powerpro to a 5/8 copper ground only a few feet away from the table and put a surge protector on the computer just to be safe. I did like acourtjesters modded plasma torch. any other suggestions? How about cutting aluminum and stainless steel on an inert gas of sorts?

[Rambozo]

Be aware of the lower duty cycle of the multi process machines. As long as you are doing short runs and lower amps, you should be ok, but typically CNC duty requires you to downrate even a dedicated machine. Something to keep in mind. You can always start with the 256 and grow into a dedicated machine as your use increases. That was my original plan. Also the newer PP256's no longer have the CNC port, so a few signals are not available easily.

[cdale2002]

does the machine shut itself down when the duty cycle has been exceeded like some machines? never been able t push it hard or long enough to find out. But yeah thats was kinda the plan was to use it for a few months to get started then buy a dedicated machine because it tig welds so nice once setup properly. it suprises alot of people how well it welds for the price. IMO it welds as well or better than the big name brands. i have expierence from using the syncrowaves, dynastys, lincolns, even a fronius tig. Never tried esab and would love to. But my absolute favorite welder is believe it or not is the htp 201, welds so nice and smooth. Im not ragging on any of the machines or everlast. just so u guys know lol

[zoama]

CNC duty requires you to downrate even a dedicated machine.

I read that in another thread but I don't understand why it is. If a machine has a 60% duty cycle at 60 amps why would the torch being moved by a robotic arm change that ? Someone please alleviate my ignorance.

[Rambozo]

I read that in another thread but I don't understand why it is. If a machine has a 60% duty cycle at 60 amps why would the torch being moved by a robotic arm change that ? Someone please alleviate my ignorance.

If you really time each cut and stay within the duty cycle, technically you don't have to derate. But most people will want the CNC to run without programmed delays to cover the duty cycle limitations. Whereas manual cutting tends to have natural break points that give the machine adequate rest periods. Of course you could do hand work that goes non-stop, or have a CNC that makes short cuts then has long delays to unload and reload material, but the reverse is usually the case.

[performance]

DO NOT use the 256 on CNC. Period. Even if the older ones had a CNC port...do not.

[cdale2002]

may i ask why not use the 256 on a cnc? just curious and educate me as why. i obviously know you guys have a machine ready for

[cdale2002]

also if u compare duty cycle to duty cyle on the 256 to the 60c there i dentical according to your guys advertised specs. So i dont see any issues with the duty cycles. ive already talked to the plasma table company and they said there no problem for the use of the 256 other than grounding because of the high frequency

[Rambozo]

There is a light that comes on and it shuts down the output when the heatsink sensor reaches a set limit. However, this is not a true duty cycle measurement, so you should keep track of on time and rest periods when doing something like CNC. The nice thing about CNC is that you will know the exact runtime for the program and can program in the rest periods. Another user recently found that even though he never hit the duty cycle limit, after a very extended job, something happened to the machine. Although from his descriptions he massively exceeded the duty cycle.

[sportbike]

I've never really bough into the "rating" of equipment. As exemplified by the comments in this thread, they are pretty much just for sales, and not really based on any standards.

Similar to air compressors that are rated at 5hp and have a 120v plug on them...

I guess it should say "60% duty cycle for a single 10 minute period"

I can't imagine a multi-process machine would be as good as a single process machine unless the specs were fairly low, or the machine was large enough to house everything really needed inside. That said, the sales pitches made by most companies seldom relate to reality and the consumer really needs to do his own research before making a purchase.