Trying to come up with an XY plane

[Frank]

I have a Henrob torch. Basically a pistol-grip oxy/acy torch where you can get plasma cutter quality welds. I'm not trying to sell them, so if you are not familiar with them, just Google. I've had the torch for several years but I never had the steady hand to get the cuts like I wanted.

I was dreaming up how I could build a rack that I could place over a piece of metal to be cut. The torch would be clamped to a "carrier" allowing complete freedom of movement on an XY axis.

I know it wouldn't be too difficult and I already have a couple of ideas how I could build it, but wondered if there might be some existing mechanism I could buy/salvage from something that won't break the bank but save time to fabricate. Thoughts?

 

[bobadame]

I believe that Henrob offers that attachment. Check with Jim at:
www.cut-like-plasma.com

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Try adapting a track torch setup.

 

[hilld]

I believe that Henrob offers that attachment. Check with Jim at:
www.cut-like-plasma.com

Bob,

thanks for posting that, that is pretty cool.

D.

 

[Frank]

I believe that Henrob offers that attachment. Check with Jim at:
www.cut-like-plasma.com

all I found were those "training wheels" which already came with mine.

in a broader thought, I'd like to use this device to where I could trace an image on paper with a pen attached to the mechanism and the torch follows my moves on the metal beside it. I just didn't know what it was called until the torch track was mentioned.

 

[KenS]

On YouTube, freddytk421 has a nice set of videos with his independent review of the Henrob (aka Cobra, Dillon, DHC 2000).

Freddie cuts sheet with Henrob using two brass tips...

When cutting sheet, he had better success using the No. 0 cutting tip-- instead of the copper cutting tip-- and No. 1 heating tip. He also is shown in a separate video cutting thicker plate freehand without the awkward Henrob roller assembly. He ranks the Henrob as very good with sheet, but not so good with thicker plate.

If you really want to see a Henrob in action, take a look at the six videos he posted with metal artist Tom Gingrass working on a project.

Freddie's welding videos...

BTW, Freddie explores many different welding techinques in a shop equipped with everything from high-end Millers to HF inverters.

 

[larry4406]

make a modified pantograph

 

[snyder]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=462365&highlight=plasma+tracer
This is a very serious one, but maybe it will give you some ideas..

 

[cnc-me]

You could CNC it.

 

[russlaferrera]

I have the same problem (unsteady hand) I use a 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 piece of angle iron and I put a roller bearing on the cutting tip. Then cut following the angle iron.

 

[dan76]

make a modified pantograph

x2

I built one to use with a router. Worked well as long as I had a good pattern to work with. Usually I'd use 1/4" masonite to make the pattern.

 

[Frank]

YES, a pantograph. I had forgot what it was called.

And thanks Snyder. I thought I had caught all the tech threads but somehow missed that one. Its a different (and better) design than where I was heading.

Thanks

 

[robertlynk]

where the stylus go put a dc motor with speed control to control cut quality this will allow cuts in thicker material and high repeatability. also if you make template smaller than actual size by half the diameter of the motor shaft you get full size parts. also if you knurl and magnetize the stylus it will follow the metal template

 

[GAB-KC]

Here is a small pantograph that is made to use a hand torch but not a Henrob. It has variable speed control and an electromagnet tracing feature.

It is made to mount to a wall or user made backbone and H base for freestanding. The overarm pivots and telescopes for positioning the pattern over the material. It also lifts to allow inside cuts without disturbing the pattern location for making the outside cut. The torch tip is positively located in relation to the tracing rotor. Fully adjustable for different torch configurations. The blow oxygen lever has a positive triggering mechanism with a quarter turn lever.

 

[Frank]

Here is a small pantograph that is made to use a hand torch but not a Henrob. It has variable speed control and an electromagnet tracing feature.

It is made to mount to a wall or user made backbone and H base for freestanding. The overarm pivots and telescopes for positioning the pattern over the material. It also lifts to allow inside cuts without disturbing the pattern location for making the outside cut. The torch tip is positively located in relation to the tracing rotor. Fully adjustable for different torch configurations. The blow oxygen lever has a positive triggering mechanism with a quarter turn lever.

That's a beautiful piece of work GAB. Very inspiring. The question I have is it the pattern that rotates against that post? Just trying to get an idea how does the drive motor keep a constant pressure against the pattern if its complex with various curves? Do you still need to guide it with your hand? Is the idea of the motor to just keep the torch moving at a steady speed?

 

[gorilla]

If all you want is X+Y, how about adapting your torch to a radial arm saw? they don't seem to worth much on the used market.

 

[JamieK]

Just some ideas here...

Craftsman Router Pantograph

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00925187000P

Or possibly a drafting table setup...

Also found this picture, but don't know anything about it...

 

[GAB-KC]

Here is a better pic of the tracing rotor and pattern mounting. The gearmotor is on the bottom of the orange plate and has the knurled tracing rotor mounted on the output shaft. The black cylinder is a electromagnet coil that magnetizes the tracing rotor. The pattern is mounted to the post by one 1/4" hex screw and the post can be raised or lowered as necessary to allow contact with the knurled portion of the rotor. I make most of my patterns out of 16 ga. steel sheet and that gives plenty of surface for the magnetic attraction while cutting. The biggest problem with getting the tracing rotor to follow the pattern at a consistent speed is the drag of the hoses on the torch. That is the reason for the extra arm that supports the hose through the ring. (shown in other pic)

With the right size cutting tip for the material being cut, the gas pressures set according to the torch manufacturers specs, and the flame adjusted correctly, and the speed regulated so that a quiet, arched shower of dross is achieved, flame cutting is a hands free operation that produces very consistent parts.

 

[JamieK]

Heres a homebuilt version I found over on the HAMB...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=462365