Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: BLM on May 07, 2014, 09:05:35 AM
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Hi there! I have a home built plasma table that I run with a Dell All-in-One/Windows 8.1, Mach3, Ethernet Smoothstepper mounted to a CNC4You BoB, and Proma THC. I used to use a USB BoB but I couldn't get THC to work at all and was told that Mach won't allow THC while using USB, so I bought a Smoothstepper. After I got the plugins all working and my drives all calibrated I can cut parts perfectly but Mach3 still doesn't allow THC/Z movement while running a part. It works if I run the test while the machine is idle and I can see all the inputs in the Diag. screen so Mach3 is picking up the signals. Seems like Mach3 is blocking the movement while a code is running. And yes, I tried the "Allow THC Movement When Not In THC Mode" on or off doesn't work. Does anybody out there use a setup like this that works? I'd like to hear from you! Thanks in advance!!!
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Anybody have any ideas????
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Could there be options in the SS config page that you need to turn on?
Hood
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Yes there is a THC box that needs to be checked and that is done.
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Might be best either posting on the Warp9 forum or emailing Greg direct as afraid I have never used plasma at all.
Hood
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I've been communicating with them as well. It seems like there is a block in Mach3 that won't allow movement while cutting.
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What is the antidive and THCspeed set to. Is the arc ok signal activating when you are cutting ?
(;-) TP
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I'm not sure what is meant by "antidive" but my THC speed is 20 and "THC Min Speed" is 60 percent.
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Do you have the THC function turned ON?
Do you see an ARKok led turned on on the diagnostics screen ?
IF you are cutting do you see the THCup and THCdown led coming on and off indicating it shoudl be moving ?
(;-) TP
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Yes, yes, and yes. Thanks for the reply! This has been an ongoing problem since I got my table built in Feb. never have had the THC working properly. Some blame it on the Proma THC that I'm using. But that is doing its job because I can see the corresponding LEDs in Mach at the right times ect.....
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Well about teh only thing left is the anti dive setting. It is the % of Vel drop that mach3 sees where it turns OFF the THC to keep it from diving . IF set to high it will turn itself off and not work.
OR there is a problem with the Smooth stepper obeying commands from the THC controller. For that you need to talk to them. IN you rcase it is the SMooth stepper that is doing the work NOT mach3.
OR possibly that your BOB needs a Charge pump signal to turn it on. (not likely as the machine does move)
What screen set are you using ??
(;- TP
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I just cloned the stock plasma screen and renamed it. I have never messed with the anti dive. I'll dig into that 'n see what I find on Mon. I have been on the Smoothstepper forum too so we'll see what happens there. Thanks for your help!