Temunator - E3CNC based plasma table

The TEMUNATOR - named because most of the parts, including the extrusions, were sourced from the reputable temu marketplace.

These models are intended to modify the E3CNC for use as a plasma cutter, with a usable work area of about 800mm x 850mm. This model uses 5 pcs. 2040 x 1000mm extrusions with no cutting.

I recommend building a complete and functional E3CNC before attempting this build. It will allow you to work out the kinks and reference Ravenkeeper's build manual on a workbench. Once you're at this scale it becomes very awkward until it is complete. I have tried to find time to make my own build manual but it is just not in the cards at the moment.

In my build I have compiled a custom marlin firmware to run on a creality V4.2.2 board without a raspberry bi or anything similar. If you go this route you will need to make your own (relatively easy with Auto Build Marlin). Steps/mm are the same as ender 3 so no funky math or anything.

For plasma ON/OFF control I wired the cooling fan pins to control a separate relay board which toggles the ON/OFF pins on a cheap plasma cutter (I used a Flaring but there are tons of essentially the same unit floating around. The tool on Gcode is then M106 S255 (cooling fan full speed) to send full voltage the relay, and M107 (fan off) to turn the torch off.

You will also need a P80 straight plasma torch to fit the provided tool mount. make sure this will fit the plasma cutting unit you select. Also I highly highly suggest a unit with Non-touch pilot arc as you will need to be able to "punch" through the plate without making contact.

Stiffeners are absolutely necessary at this scale, they mount with more M5x16 cap screws and T nuts. You should have plenty left over from an E3CNC build (I bought 200pcs for $10 USD. Use these stiffeners to lock your frame in place after squaring. Without the stiffeners tightened to frame will have a significant amount of play. It takes some fiddling to get it right.

Gantry spacers allow you to use 5pcs of the same length extrusion without cutting. This MAY be feasible at a larger scale, 1000mm was what I went with. I will say at 1000mm there is still significant play in the gantry arm, however it typically self corrects by skipping teeth when homing. Once motors are locked it will hold square provided your frame is square. Scaling up will without a doubt make this problem worse. Use M5x16 with T nuts on the side of the gantry spacer for added rigidity.

The feet are made to accept magnets with an M6 threaded rod. One nut is pressed into the print and another is used under the foot to lock in an adjustment. all four feet must be as close to the same distance from the frame as possible. Think of this as the last time you will tram the bed of your old ender. The magnets are optional and I have honestly considered removing them and using clamps to hold the frame in place. Magnets in a weld shop are always a bad idea. Feet are mounted with more M5x16, threaded directly into the plastic with no heatsets.

Plasma torch backplate and faceplate mount with, you guessed it, more M5x16. Use M5 heatsets on the four holes in the back plate which the faceplate will mount to.

Cable management was an absolute nightmare. see photos for how I routed the cable chains, use my T slot mount for mounting. I don't remember what hardware I used but I believe it came off the E3Pro.

For generating Gcode I've been using Openbuilds CAM, then using find and replace in notepad to give the Gcode the correct ON/OFF code.

Buy 100ft of 4pin wire so you will have enough for mistakes. 5m timing belt is enough. Get the fiber reinforced type to help mitigate belt stretch.

See photos for print orientation. I used .6 nozzle with 4 walls and gyroid infill 15%

If I find time I will document this better, good luck.