THE NEW PLASMACAM
By Joshua Corbin

The most recent addition to the tool arsenal of the Mechanical Engineering and Design Technology shop is the PlasmaCAM. The PlasmaCAM is a computer-automated machine that cuts through up to .75” of steel via a plasma cutter clamped into a dual-motor-driven carriage. Through various experiments, the true usefulness and future of this device in our shop has been proven.

“Plasma is cool”, reads the screensaver of the computer sitting beside one of the freshly painted blue legs of the plasma cutter. The screensaver was set soon after the PlasmaCAM was set-up by the first person to experiment with the machine, David Boivin.

“First thing we did was cut out a square. It didn’t come out exactly right.” replies Boivin lightheartedly, when asked about his first experiments with the PlasmaCAM.
“It was really fun. You can learn a lot from it.”

Projects have come a long way since the first square piece. Eagle silhouettes, weather vanes, gears, and offset guides have been made as the skills of the class have increased. Bob Couillard, the teacher of Mechanical Engineering and Design Technology, has ordered a scanner which has increased the versatility of the PlasmaCAM. The scanner will enable the students to scan hard copies into the PlasmaCAM software and then cut out the images with the PlasmaCAM. It has been done with some success, but there are still “bugs” to be worked out.

Mr. Couillard seems quite happy with the PlasmaCAM and envisions it reducing the time required to build parts, but more importantly, teaching his students very important skills. “The PlasmaCAM is an opportunity for the students to implement their math and print-reading skills in a hands-on environment,” says Mr. Couillard.