So, I have these nice, straight metal slats. I want them bent to mild curve for the plasma table (curved slats resist having lengthy burn damage their tops). They are not hard to bend, force wise. But getting them all bent consistently with matching curve, seems to call for a bending fixture or som…

Just grab a slat by each end and put a bend in em! I spend about 5 seconds max on each one. They’re consumables, they don’t need to be perfect or pretty. And they won’t be pretty after the after the first few cuts and you start burning through them and throwing slag all over them. Edit: I’ll elabor…

Sounds easy. Don’t overthink it. :slight_smile:

After overthinking, I think Ryan’s thinking is the best thinking. I think, without overthinking it, which I’ve already done, I will just go with straight slats, installed straight instead of on angle. LOL

If your running a straight cut and it happens run on along the top of a slat it could confuse the thc.

re. confuse the THC You are right. Ryan’s thought of careful placement to avoid being on top of the slats is persuasive. But so are arguments to use curves or angles to avoid. Another set of pros for straight is the ease of replacement when it’s time. Just when I thought my mind was made up, I’m…

[image] kd2018: If your running a straight cut and it happens run on along the top of a slat it could confuse the thc. Interesting. That is an argument for adding my third block. I need to get more time under my belt before I do much more though. Cutting the third block with the CNC could be …

[image] vicious1: My actual plan was to eventually cut them into a Sawtooth (wave pattern) for even less contact and less cost for slats I was just looking at some plasma slats with the wave cut pattern, and thinking that’s the way to go. All the ease of use of straight slats, with even more …

[image] CertiFlat Replacement Slats For 36 Inch Wide Plasma Table PT36-R Replacement Slats for CertiFlat 36 Price: USD 59.99 [Eastwood.com-CertiFlat-Replacement-Slats-For-36-Inch-Wide-Plasma-Table-PT36-R]

Yup, like that but much closer together. My parts all tend to be pretty small. And a smooth wave should cut nicer, but who knows, I am just getting antsy to do some cutting.

You could do two different densities. A sense section in the middle for small parts and a less dense donut everywhere else. There is a very good reason I don’t work metal. I would care about every loss. For some reason, wasting wood isn’t as hard for me.

Ideas for bending fixture? (for curved metal slats for plasma water table)

LowRider CNC Hardware Development

DougJoseph (Doug Joseph (design8studio)) January 16, 2023, 4:36pm 31

New thread started over here: