Plasma water tray depth

[BelgiqueB]

How high should the slats be in a cnc plasma water table from the bottom of the tray ? And how high should the top edge of the tray be above the top of the slats?

I've drawn a 80mm deep tray with slats 60mm high, would this be OK? Will be using a hypertherm 65.

 

[James1979]

I think it depends on the design - they all seem different. @doubleboost can tell you about the xtreme one but I think the water is quite a bit below the workpiece. As I understand it, its better for consumables that way.

The youtube heroes from USA seem to have the work virtually submerged which I cant think is good for work or machine?

Out of interest why did you settle on water tray? I was undecided either way but chose downdraft in the end as I thought it would be better than all the issues that go with the water tray.

 

[BelgiqueB]

I think it depends on the design - they all seem different. @doubleboost can tell you about the xtreme one but I think the water is quite a bit below the workpiece. As I understand it, its better for consumables that way.

The youtube heroes from USA seem to have the work virtually submerged which I cant think is good for work or machine?

Out of interest why did you settle on water tray? I was undecided either way but chose downdraft in the end as I thought it would be better than all the issues that go with the water tray.

My workshop is in my basement so fumes are a concern, general consensus is that with a water table you have the least amount of fumes, time will tell.

 

[Bladevane]

I have an Xtreme table which came with a water table but I recently dried it out and prefer my system of downdraught fume extraction. My thinking is that the plasma creates more fume from the water surface which then permeates the atmosphere. Once in the air it is more difficult to extract and prevent dust and debris from settling all over your valuable workshop interior.

 

[James1979]

I just didnt like the principle of water - it chucks it about everywhere and you need to maintain the water with chemical. I think you need to do something to the part once cut otherwise it rusts as well? Could be wrong about that though. For me downdraft is much better but each to their own. May have a problem with down draft in a basement, although mine goes from the bottom of the table, through a duct, into the fan then out through the roof so climbs about 3m from the floor.

 

[Brad93]

I use a water table and you do get some vapour but no real smoke unless cutting aluminium. Barely any distortion too with water.

it does splash everywhere though!