Fresh in the mail, we are happy to announce we have a hand torch for the new plasma generator!
What does this mean? We have a fancy Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 120A (courtesy of @Laserfixer ) that will be available for use soon, in all the 80 Amps of capacity we can offer.
Wait, 80A? That’s a 120 Amp unit!
That’s right. Until we run the 480v (or 100 Amps of 208) we’re not going to be able to run it at full capacity. However, it will be a large improvement over the previous unit (and also hopefully more often in service)
How can I help?
Power
First, we need to wire the power. @TBJK, @procterc, and I talked about it last night and we think hard wiring it is the best way to go. However there is only one 3 phase service in the room that has enough of the angry pixies that make electrons go to make efficient use, and unfortunately that shares the induction forge outlet.
Luckily, the hand plasma is not the most heavily used item in the shop so, similar to the oven, we believe this is workable between @Team_Metal_Shop and @Team_Blacksmithing
Since we’re hard wiring the unit, rather than making an oversized circuit plug, we’re putting in conduit and a disconnect.
We’re additionally putting breakers on the plasma side if we can, at a slightly lower amperage than the main breakers for the circuit (45A versus 50A). This way if someone cranks the unit up and trips a breaker you do not need access to the electrical room to reset the breakers for the induction forge.
Power Parts
Based on a cursory look, the following transfer switch seems appropriate (we have an extra nema box lying around in that room). Someone correct me if anything isn’t right or has a better idea
- Transfer Disconnect: 0T63F3 OT63F3C Abb N-F 3P 60A Din Rail/PNL MNT Disc SWTCH
- NEMA Door Handle: 0HB80L6 OHB80L6 Abb Pistol Handle 80X66X80MM Black, 1, 3R, 12
- Mount for handle: DMK Eaton Door Mounting Kit - For R5 Series Disconnects
Alternatively one of these though they’re pricier: https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Double-Throw-Non-Fused-600-Volt-3-Pole/Eaton/DT362UGK/product.aspx?zpid=80784
(yes, I know they make fusible ones… double the cost and class H fuses rather than breakers, so I’m considering if it’s better to use a local load panel with a 45A breaker.
Jigs
Hand plasmas are valuable for things like pipe, tube, and creative hand use when you don’t have a CAD design to match. Some JIGs like rollers for pipe are useful and any volunteer can weld some up (though if you need more than the steel or parts on hand let me know what the materials are to budget them / order them). Remember if it’s for a committee need, you may use from the DMS metal stock at the front of the room within reason.
Training
The previous plasma was a spot train for those with existing CNC plasma training, and I’d like to either keep that or do a Video training. If someone has a proposal for a Video / Moodle course please reach out to the metal shop committee. If we don’t go the self-train route, I will need volunteers to do the spot train. To get you able to teach it would be relatively easy for prior plasma use (to use it safely that is). I usually did the spot trains for the hand plasma in 5-10 minutes on the old machine and I expect this will be similar.
Signage
I still need someone to give me a refresher on the CNC Vinyl cutter, but until that happens we’ll need signage to be made by a volunteer comfortable with the machine.
- “Only Energize One Disconnect at a Time” (this will go over near the 3 phase plug next to the disconnects).
- "Do NOT exceed XXX Amps on Hand Plasma: (this will be on wall above plasma when we determine the final amperage limit)
- “Training Required” labels to put on the machine itself (and if at it already a few extras; I’ve found some have since come off the other equipment over time so a handful would be nice)
- QR Code on Power - we can have it point to a video explaining the power as a reminder for those who may forget, or not know about the changes. Explains that the outlet only has to be de-energized when the second plasma is in use, and not required to be done for the CNC table or forge.