Plasma profiler is fast and accurate

Syscom Motion Solutions (SMS) has designed and built the SmartPLASMA machine using brushless servomotors, creating a plasma cutter able to cut highly intricate designs in metal. The SMS SmartPLASMA is available in standard sizes of 2 by 1 and 3 by 1.5 m and custom sizes can also be accommodated. A choice of plasma torch is also available on each machine. JENCNC software performs CNC functions and controls the height of the torch on the fly so the system can more closely follow the contours of the plates. Software optimises DXF files for plasma and oxy-fuel cut paths and implements other features such as re-sizing objects. The benefit of servos is that they can be geared up so can run at high speeds and sit on a lighter framework than any stepmotor with a comparable performance. The servos used are the SM2315D SmartMotor from the Animatics Corporation, California. The system uses three or four SmartMotors, two precision gearboxes, and an integrated arc voltage torch-height control system. The gantry system is light but stiff. The reason for this is that the cutting machine is often called upon to create intricate features that involve rapid reversals and direction changes at speeds of up to 200 ipm. Thus a stiff frame and the acc/dec performance of the motors are both extremely important for making these moves accurately. Moreover, there are no side forces on plasma cutters, so there was no need for a massive gantry structure to compensate.