Plasma Machine upgrade

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Hello everyone,

I’m new to this forum, and a friend recommended this site to me. I’m quite impressed with all the builds and knowledge within this community. Inspired by what I have seen, I have started my own build of the LR4 CNC machine—thanks to Ryan for the hardware parts!

I hope you all can offer me some advice. I apologize in advance if I ask any silly questions; perhaps someone else has encountered similar issues. Here’s my situation: I have an old Langmuir Crossfire CNC table machine that I purchased several years ago from an individual. Unfortunately, he sold it due to software issues. I was able to get it running using Mach3, but it didn’t have a Z-axis.

Recently, I upgraded the machine and added a Z-axis, but I do not want to use the Crossfire controller. The company is local, but I find their software messy and problematic. I’m looking for an open-source alternative that might work better. I noticed that Doug has created a plasma machine with the LR4 CNC, and I would appreciate any advice you might have.

Thank you!

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It looks like that machine uses NEMA 23 stepper motors.

I’d be looking at the 6x CNC Controller and some external stepper drivers if FluidNC can be made to work with a plasma setup.

Otherwise, people have had luck with LinuxCNC.

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Swell, you’ve already got the external stepper drivers.

I’d take a read of the FluidNC info on plasma cutters, as well as LinuxCNC.

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Do you think I will have to replace the controller?

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You don’t have to, but if you want to run something other than Mach3/Mach4 (or whatever you’ve got now) you’ll have to.

Personally I’d use it as it works now. It’s going to take a lot of work and knowledge to replace the controller and get back to as much functionality as it has now.

You should be able to get your Z axis working with the PoKeys57CNC controller that it has now. Apparently it supports 8 stepper drivers.

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Yes thats what I rather do, I like to run something different will be using open source software and Linux computer etc. I feel that it would be a better choice. I used Mach3, but i was looking at QT plasma C, which is on Linux world if you know what I mean.

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I like to completly upgrade this and get away from Mach3 the pokeys57cnc controller

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Well, if software is driving your decision, pick your software and then select an appropriate controller that the software supports.

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True true, thank you for all your help my friend, don’t have a plasma machine ?

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I do not.

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Greetings, Joe.

The only silly questions here would be the ones you don’t ask.

I’m replying from my phone so it’ll take a bit to get the reply fully written.

Looks like you’ve had a good dialogue since I started typing, so I’ll check this thread tomorrow morning my time and see what other questions arise.

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+1 for linuxcnc and mesa cards.

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Thanks Kyle

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Linux CNC and the mesa cards are amazing but unless you are pretty familiar with Linux and Electricity I would steer clear.

It took a lot of help form here and the linuxCNC forums to get me running and I am still scared I might accidentally update and mess it up.

Hand wired and ordered all of this,

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That is a really nice setup

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Challenge acce… \*ninja sounds\*

Ow! Hey! Where are you taking me?

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And….. why am I in this hand basket?

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Well I really hope I can find a simple solution for this machine, I want the simplest controller, software etc. and I don’t want to depend on this company anymore, I want my owe open source etc, yall can relate

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Plasma control is simple (only hitch is managing electrical interference and plasma on off control) …until you add a Z axis with Torch Height Control, then it gets very complicated fast.

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