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Langmuir Crossfire XR Plasma table

47v6

47v6

junk wrecker!
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Joined
Oct 25, 2006
Late last year I bought a Langmuir Crossfire XR plasma table.
I quickly realized that It was too big for my shop and I had to move to a bigger one.. Well, thats more expensive, needed to rig out all my lathes and milling machines plus all tooling and everyday junk like welders and cabinets and dirt bikes.. Anyway, new shop is much nicer..

New shop was not wired with outlets for 3 phase or 220 for welders, so I had to have professionals do that.. Landlord cares about proper permits and all that... So $8K later I get (4) 3 phase 220 outlets, (3) 220 welder outlets and 4 more 115VAC outlets. Needed a manlift for the 22 foot ceiling to run this stuff and just a big production.. I guess it's way better than the mess I generally make.

I assembled the Plasma table, comes flat packed and kit form. It took me about 2 weeks to do when I have to do regular work and life stuff. its 1500 bucks to have it assembled and I'm sure it would cost more in shipping and I believe it would be TOTALLY worth it. Im not really happy with the directions, for example how its so very important to tension the ball screw correctly and if you don't you can ruin the machine, but no torque setting..

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No printed manual with the machine, if you print their online directions, pictures are disabled, YouTube videos instead of proper written directions and no proper wiring or assembly schematics or diagrams. Pictures are of close ups without reference to the larger machine. I like a good manual and this is not even close.

Anyway, its all together, ran the break in program, fixed some limit switches and all seems to be fine.. except..

In order to make your own stuff you need a program such as Autodesk 360 to create, then import your program into the Langmuir Firecontrol software to plot the points and move the torch head..

This is why I bought this machine, to make me learn how to create my designs, make prints to send off or make parts and tooling myself I must have. So, here I go..
 
Is the machine just for your own projects or are you going to do contract work also?
 
47v6 said:
No printed manual with the machine, if you print their online directions, pictures are disabled, YouTube videos instead of proper written directions and no proper wiring or assembly schematics or diagrams. Pictures are of close ups without reference to the larger machine. I like a good manual and this is not even close.
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Consider yourself lucky you didn't get a collection of Power Point slides bullet marks to point out the stuff that's important but not at all explained. :schooled:
 
Bought the year subscription to fusion 360… yeah, you can’t own it. Anyway, I guess I need to read a book on it, buy a mouse for my Mac and try more harder to get smarter.

Also Langmuir sent my CPC cable that fires my hypertherm 85 plasma cutter. It came in an envelope in a plastic zip lock without any receipt, directions or any other information of any kind.

See if I can import a generic part from langmuirs site tomorrow for proof of concept.
 
It's crazy how expensive cad software and training is.
Mcmaster carr has a good database for buyout parts.
 
Jw60 said:
It's crazy how expensive cad software and training is.
Mcmaster carr has a good database for buyout parts.
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I have a need for custom parts for manufacturing tooling. I can’t get anyone to make any prototyping, so I have to make it myself.

This is just more thing I need to learn to make a living. The cost of learning in a class setting would far exceed the cost of buying this machine and learning the basics without the tools after the class. I don’t do well in those settings anyway.

Plus this new thing I need to learn is safe. No one dies if I screw up. Worst thing that happens is the machine hits a limit switch and I’m screaming at the ceiling like a crazy old man.
 
IMG_1517.jpegThis is the FireControl interface that controls the plot points and moves the torch.

Today I created an account and downloaded files from Langmuirs site that I can open with fire control. I was able to do dry runs on 2 different programs.

This was not without issues. The gantry would cock because one y axis decided to not function . Reset the gantry manually twice and then it worked..

Why? I don’t know.
 
IMG_1521.jpegIMG_1522.jpegI get this incompatibility message and the hyperlink sends me to that error. It’s making so that the software cannot show the pattern and torch plot points.

Yeah, I uninstalled everything and reinstalled it, yeah i searched for drivers.. there is no one to answer phones..

I’m pretty disappointed so far with this product both hardware and now software.
 
On the phone with Langmuir to fix the driver issues for 40 min. Took remote control and the graphics seem to work now.IMG_1541.jpeg
 
Started to fill with water…IMG_1542.jpeg
But had 2 pinhole leaks that weren’t my fault.
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Let’s see if jb weld is up to the task.
 
Jb weld was up to the task , but the supplied fittings were not. They leaked and the holes will be welded shut. When need to empty this table siphon and a shop vac will be used.

Anyway, got this unit to cut metal today.
IMG_1559.jpeg
I had to look at the hypertherm cut chart and put in the torch height for cut and pierce, plus the inch per minute cut. This was the first cut and the round holes in this scrap are hand done.

I found that the cut was not square and the torch holder needed adjustment.IMG_1560.jpeg
Downloading cut ready files is not terribly difficult from Langmuirs site, but most are not cut ready and I still have to figure out how to make the fire control read and convert files.

I cut a couple other parts.
IMG_1563.jpeg
I spent the morning working on fusion 360 to learn the very basics. It’s slow going.
 
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Not sure what all you are needing, but just out of curiosity, did you happen to look at this? https://arcdroidcnc.com/

A friend and I are thinking about looking into it... Now that I'm retired, I have NO desire to 'learn' CAD software or take a class - at least right now. My 'CAD' is "Cardboard Aided Design" and if I can trace it from that and have it cut out, might be worth it to me.
 
Warloch said:
Not sure what all you are needing, but just out of curiosity, did you happen to look at this? https://arcdroidcnc.com/

A friend and I are thinking about looking into it... Now that I'm retired, I have NO desire to 'learn' CAD software or take a class - at least right now. My 'CAD' is "Cardboard Aided Design" and if I can trace it from that and have it cut out, might be worth it to me.
Click to expand...
Yes. Sending you a PM now..
 
I cut a lot of straight cuts that are long with my hand held plasma. It entails clamping a straight edge on the work and dragging the torch across. It has variable quality..

Well, this machine can do that with the straight cut function, so I thought that instead of buying angle for my rock sliders, I would make what I need out of flat stock 1/4 plate.
IMG_1596.jpeg
I cut 4 of these and they are all worlds better than my handheld quality even if the torch is angled slightly that needs adjusted.

It’s difficult to man handle even half sheets of 1/4 plate, so I used my forklift with no issues. 1/2 plate would be impossible without a forklift or a gantry.
 
wheelie said:
Geez. And I’ve been mulling over whether or not I can figure out a Crickut stencil cutter machine thing.

Been a while since we’ve talked. Seems like you’ve stepped up your game. Glad you’re still kickin it.
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I’m trying. Got to keep moving forward, learn and do new things. If sharks stop swimming, they die.
 
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