Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: oicis on May 24, 2012, 10:55:32 AM
-
Hi.
We have plasma & mach3 with http://www.cs-lab.eu/en/index.php?m=gallery&s=show&fid=48&sort=&uinfo=CSMIOIPS_6_axis_CNC_Ethernet_Motion_Controller_STEPDIR motion controller & http://proma-elektronika.pl/cnc-plasma-thc-controller-torch-height-control/ THC controller . On diagnostic screen Torch up / Torch down LED lit, but Z axis dont moving, on "ports & pins/Mill options" "Allow THC UP/DOWN Control even if not in THC mode" checked.
Thanks.
Ojars
-
DO you have the Z axis enabled? Simple, but would cause your issue.
-
Yes, Z axis moving with Page up/down button or MPG.
-
have you bought a licensed copy of mach? i believe that the thc does not work in demo mode.
-
I think Yes ... we purchase license file from Polands CS-Lab.
-
Is THC supported by the CSMIO/IP?
Hood
-
Sorry I dont understand about supporting, I think THC controller is stand alone device was makig torch up/down signal from tesion of plasma arc ... and its works ... CSMIO is input/output device instead paralel port ... I think it also works ... and in Mach3 diagnostic screen Torch up/down input LED lit, but nothing happens ...I have a feeling that there is something wrong with Mach settings.
-
It is my understanding that for THC to work correctly when using external controllers the external controllers (CSMIO/SmoothStepper/Galil etc ) need to support that function in their plugin. Could be wrong though as I have no experience with plasma.
Hood
-
I tend to agree with Hood. As I understand it, the THC Z axis control functionality of Mach is hard coded into the Parallel Port driver. Therefore if you use an external controller - it must support that functionality itself. I think your THC UP/DOWN LEDs are functioning because they're simply reflecting the input signals but there's no code to actually drive Z via those signals.
The CSMIO/IP manual "suggests" that it should work but you need to contact your supplier for confirmation. You also need to be SURE you have a valid licence because that may be an issue - it certainly is when using the PP driver.
Ian
-
Thank you Ian and Hood for answer!
I try to ask these question to CS-Lab, because both controller an license file purchased from them.
Ojars
-
I had problems with this also. I had to goto ports and pins set up page, then to mill options and check the box for the THC
Hope that helps
Steve
-
Thank you Steve, its already checked, but torch still moveless ...
Ojars
-
As we have noticed some of you have problems with THC function launching.
Within next few days (hopefully) we should have pdf instruction ready to make it easier.
THC function works only while machine program is running - we will improve it soon :)
Contact me freely if you have some doubts.
CS-LAB
-
Had the same problem... CSMIO IP-S not responding to THC UP / DOWN
Solution is to not use the standard M3 that starts the spindle relay DoSpinCW() but use ActivateSignal(OUTPUT1) and everything works as expected.
Don't ask how we got to this solution... lucky for us we used two separate heads for plasma and oxy and separate Mach3 profiles and the oxy profile did not use
spindle relays and its capacitive thc worked.... that gave us a clue... after couple of DAYS :D
Using the option that enables thc even when not in thc mode should not be used.
-
All CSMIO/IP motion controllers support standard THC function and also for some time now - "THC Analog" function.
Standard THC function activation is just the same as when we use a parllel port and a CSMIO/IP controller.
Next week I'll try to record a video or write some article to make it easier to understand.
At the moment (if you've set everything as it should be) what comes to my mind are incorrectly set "THC max" and "THC min" values on the main Mach3 screen.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments: office@cs-lab.eu
Wojtek
CS-Lab Team
-
I will test it anyway again within next few days to be sure everything works as it should.
Wojtek
CS-Lab