CNC Plasma Cut Vintage Motorcycles

[Black Forest]

Great work. I would definitely be interested in a description of your workflow regarding the software to create these works of art. Please!!!!!!!

[boslab]

Very nice work, I’d like to see a video of the cutting myself, and the machine. my dad bought an Ariel I remember something he swapped for a thing called a “flying squirrel” funny name for what I don’t know, but in keeping he crashed it wrecked his knee, my mother wouldn’t let him have another motorcycle!
Mark

[Michael Edwards]

I remember something he swapped for a thing called a “flying squirrel” funny name for what I don’t know,
Mark

BTW, nice work Tmate.

[Tmate]

Great work. I would definitely be interested in a description of your workflow regarding the software to create these works of art. Please!!!!!!!

Start with a photo of the bike, preferably against a white background. Auto trace the bitmap in CorelDraw if possible.
Trace lines and shapes over the photo in CorelDraw. Keep at least .150" between lines and shapes, and make sure to leave bridges to hold outlined shapes in place.
Delte the photo and use black fill on the outlined shape to preview what the cut out piece will look like.
Correct mistakes and test distance between lines and interior shapes with a drawn circle .150" in diameter.
Export dxf file and import into driver software (FlashcutCNC). Flashcut software identifies errors needing correction.
Fix errors in CorelDraw, and then cut shape using Flashcut software.

[Tmate]

Here's the BSA God Star with some paint:

[Black Forest]

Thank you Tmate. I have used Coral Draw but am not very proficient with it. I know lots of Plasma guys use it.

[Dan Dubeau]

Those look great Tmate. I can see that being a very popular "fleamarket" type item, and a great seller. I'd love to have a couple pictures like that of me from back in my racing days (like the one in my avatar) hanging on the wall in the shop next to all the plaques. I know this will be one of the first things I cut if I ever get to building a plasma table.

[Tmate]

Very nice work, I’d like to see a video of the cutting myself, and the machine. my dad bought an Ariel I remember something he swapped for a thing called a “flying squirrel” funny name for what I don’t know, but in keeping he crashed it wrecked his knee, my mother wouldn’t let him have another motorcycle!
Mark

Don't have a video, but I do have a web page with pictures of the CNC-cut bikes. I will add to it as I complete more and paint them.

https://fortuneafterfifty.godaddysit...asma-cut-bikes

[Tmate]

Group photo:

Large images of these bikes can be found HERE: https://fortuneafterfifty.godaddysit...ma-cut-bikes-1

[Cuttings]

Great job, brings back some good old memories.

[Tmate]

Here's a 500cc Norton Manx and a Brough Superior:

[Tmate]

Triumph X-75 Hurricane triple & Harley Fat Boy:

[kf2qd]

That is some nice work. You have a good system.

[Tmate]

Two more plasma-cut bikes:

The first is a 1949 Panther Model 100 600cc single.
The second is Clem Johnson's 96 c.i. Vincent drag bike "Barn Job."

[Tmate]

In case there is any interest, here is the same motorcycle shape cut out with plasma and with laser for comparison purposes. The laser cut shape is 6" x 12" and the plasma version is 9 1/2" x 19". In the laser-cut piece, the lines were cut as narrow slots.

The narrower kerf of the laser is apparent in the little star shape in the front forks. The plasma-cut piece, having lines rather than narrow slots, has visible pierce points. The material thickness is the same for both.

Just an interesting comparison of both processes on a moderately complex shape.