pic: CV Robotics WCD 6wd Drivebase Prototype

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by Sam_Mills

In 2013 we tried to use our plasmacam for the exact same operation and had the exact same issue. Luckily it was in house, so we were only wasting our own time and resources, but we quickly learned a plasma cutter is not a precise machine, even if the software and rigging is.

Warning you now, do not try to do bearing holes or gearboxes with the plasma cutter. You could do a solid 1/16 Al bellypan, if you just use it to make ziptie holes for your electronics. Think of the plasma cutter to be just more precise than a bandsaw, that can also do pockets. If you have access to a manual mill, that should get you most of what you need for a WCD.

Before you give advice like this you should calibrate, tune and use the proper equipment and consumables. Don't base advice off of your bad experiences. We have great success with our plasma table on steel and aluminum for bearing holes and thin sheet as well. We just cut a plate for a gearbox last week and it is working fine after cleaning up a little dross and a slight bevel.

One of our sponsors just cut 1" thick steel for mounting forks to a front end loader that needed a perfect 2.25" diameter hole. They used a plasma cutter and didn't even clean up the edges. They are perfectly straight, perfectly sized, and fit like a glove. It is all about using the machine properly and with the correct settings.