Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => HiCON Motion Controller => Topic started by: JoaoSilva on May 06, 2016, 09:48:06 AM

Title: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: JoaoSilva on May 06, 2016, 09:48:06 AM
Hi All,

My system does not work with the THC.
I´m using Mach 4 with hicom 7766 with proma thc 150. All the connections are done accordingly the manufacturers.

In the THC the 'THC up' and 'ARC OK' are always ON as soon I switch ON the plasma unit due to the output voltage of my plasma which is 27Vdc at the torch connections and 0.4 Vdc in the 50:1 divider when in standby mode.

Question:
Is this voltage normal or it should be 0Vdc?

Thanks, Joao
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on May 06, 2016, 01:07:56 PM
Hello Joao,

Thank you for your purchase, I apologize for the inconvenience that you're having with the installation.

Now with your system, you mention at the THC up/down, and ArcOK signals are always on, and I think there could be caused by two things:

1. Improper wiring/mapping of the signals. Could you send us a picture of the wiring, so we can verify if you had indeed done the wiring correctly. Check the Input LEDs on the HiCON Integra to see if the THC connections are always active. The THC150 document also has a section for performing preliminary testing with a low voltage (0-10V) input if necessary. Also, because a plasma machine works with a high voltage cutter, it is very important to properly wire the earth ground to prevent electrical noise from accumulating in the system.

2. Software issues. If I recall correctly, you had modified the ArcPro screen that we provided with the package, which I assisted you with. Because we can only make guarantees for the components as they are (both hardware and software), we can't guarantee that everything will work properly once a user decides to make modifications outside the scope of the package. Also, there is a chance that you may have set the signals in Mach4 to be active low, in which case, the signal state polarity would be reversed which would cause the signals to register as active when they aren't physically activated. I think this may be something you should consider because the THC150, according to our testing should only have the THC UP or DOWN turned on one at a time, or have them both OFF. If the signal polarity were reversed, it would make sense that they both come up as active, while they are physically turned off.

Also, did you use the Mach4 profile that we had provided on the web? That had most of the configuration done for signal mapping and motion. For the most part, you'd have only needed to change the motor settings to match your motor specs, and set the THC parameters to what your machine required and what kind of material you would need to cut.

For the plasma torch itself, does your torch always feed back 27V DC only when the torch is actually turned on? I think I need a few more details on this.

Please send us an email at support@vitalsystem.com, or give us a call at our office number 1-623-434-5873, and I'll gladly assist you with the setup.


-Marc
Vital System Inc.





Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on May 23, 2016, 07:37:03 PM
HI i did not found where to post so my question is I'm about to buy mach4 i have mach3 with proma THC 150 and GEOKO 540 want to upgrade to mach4 i have a plasma table with hypertherm 1000  any idea if the promo THC 150 can be set up to mach4 or ???
thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on May 24, 2016, 12:24:59 PM
Hello,

Yes, the THC 150 can be set up with Mach4. In fact, the Plasma package that we have on our website uses the following components:

- HiCON Integra 6-axis Motion Controller
- THC 150 from Proma elektronika
- Mach4
- Arc Pro Plasma Screen  for Mach4

If you'd like to contact us directly, you can email us at support@vitalsystem.com. Posting here in the forum is alright too :)

-Marc
Vital System Inc.
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: JoaoSilva on October 18, 2016, 06:11:52 PM
Hi,
After SW and FW update, things got better, was able to get tings going that were not working before. Thanks.
But.... THC still out of the game.

System do initiate and do all the cutting job, with the THC UP light always on. Did a few testing with a 10k load and light jumps between THC UP and Down but the Zaxis doesn't move at all.

BTW, using the THC150 from Proma

Any Idea?

BR, Joao
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on October 19, 2016, 12:50:14 PM
Hello Joao,

Could you try jogging the Z axis and see if that moves? If jogging doesn't work, and the profile is used as is, then there may be some problems with your wiring. Check the "StepGen" under the HiCON status window, and if that is incrementing but not moving the Z axis, then it is probably some wiring issue.

Also, if your PC has an internet connection, I would also perform a remote log in to see if any configuration is necessary.


-Marc
Vital System Inc.
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: JoaoSilva on October 19, 2016, 02:16:23 PM
Hi Marc,

Z axis works fine as it does correctly all the plasma cut sequence as is in your manual.

Yes, The PC has internet connection, let me know when is a good time for you.

Thx, Joao

Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on October 21, 2016, 12:16:33 PM
Hello Joao,

I would recommend taking a look at the LEDs on the THC150 and check to see that the UP/DOWN signals look correct. If it doesn't look correct, then you may have to take a look at the settings on the THC150 itself. You should be able to modify the voltage threshold that controls the height to be maintained.

About how fast the THC moves, this can be regulated with the THC speed slider on the screen.

And remember to keep your ESTOP button handy while testing since you could potentially break something during the setup process. And make sure that the limit signals are also set up, so that the machine will disarm before crashing on the ends of the axis. This is usually the normal safety protocol that is followed during almost all installations.

-Marc
Vital System Inc.

Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on October 24, 2016, 02:24:33 PM
We have added some helpful suggestions in the trouble-shooting section of the plasma system manual.  Some of the problems you mentioned are now addressed in that section.  Please review those and hopefully your system will be ok.

http://www.vitalsystem.com/arcpro (http://www.vitalsystem.com/arcpro)

ArcPro Plasma Controls User Guide (http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/cnc/motion/ArcProPlasmaGuide.pdf)

thank you
VSI Support Team
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: JoaoSilva on October 31, 2016, 11:25:36 AM
Checked, re-checked and checked again, wiring, configuration, etc. Still the same.

One question:
   
The THC have a testing mode. When I do that, shouldn´t the Z axis go up and down accordingly? During the test the THC alternately switch ON and OFF the THC UP and THC DOWN. This information can be seen in the THC itself, in the Hicom7766 and the mach4 display.

Thx, Joao
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on October 31, 2016, 05:05:20 PM
Hello Joao,

We added a new section in the ArcPro user guide for using the "Test Mode" feature of the Proma THC150 to verify Up/DOWN motion on Z.

http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/cnc/motion/ArcProPlasmaGuide.pdf (http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/cnc/motion/ArcProPlasmaGuide.pdf)

We performed this test multiple times to make sure we did not miss any step, and it looks very good. During the test, the UP/DOWN signals are triggered at a regular interval by the Proma device and the Z motion follows accordingly. I think this will help you remove the hurdles and should get you going quickly.

-Marc
Vital System Inc.
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: JoaoSilva on November 01, 2016, 11:17:46 AM
Hello Marc,

So, with this test there is no movement needed in axis X nor Y as stated before. I did it as described in the manual and is worked fine, Z axis was responding correctly to the THC commands.

After being sure that there was no HW issues I continued testing this time with real cuts and  when THC was sending the impulse to go UP the Z axis moved to the maximum of the THC max ( the same with the THC min)

Reduce the THC speed to a drastic value of 5, SURPRISE, WOW, everything started to work as it should. So simple, so easy.

Probably you could revise the rang of the THC speed (0-300) or not, at least a note in your manual.

After this your manual looks much better that before  :D

THANKS for your support.

FINALLY I HAVE A WORKING SYSTEM

Br, Joao
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on November 01, 2016, 02:11:31 PM
Glad to hear your system is working well now.  Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.  If you can post a video of the machine operation and plasma cutting, that will be awesome and highly appreciated.

Best regards,
Rufi


Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Cattle on January 02, 2017, 10:36:14 AM
To run the run the THC150 test how do you make sure the Arc ok and digitize signals are not active? and how do you activate the Digitize signal manually? I think I might have a wiring issue but I am not Sure. When I run the test the Arc up and down signals go on but the Z doesn't move on the machine. When my machine is on is the THC suppose to have "---" until I hit Cycle start?

I am having a a problem with my delay's and Z axis not being consistent during the cut, I think it is a THC issue since when I cycle run without the THC mode on it cuts fine.

Thanks,

Cattle
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on January 02, 2017, 06:24:04 PM
Hello Cattle,

You can verify that the signals aren't active by the LED states on the ArcPro screen.

Manually triggering the digitize signal depends on your setup. You can hook up a switch temporarily to emulate the signal. You may also allow the probe head to make contact with some surface, but we say manual just in case a wiring/connection issue prevents the digitize signal from being read, and causes the torch to dig into the table.

Normally, your limit sensors are supposed to prevent this, but there are some people who try doing this without the limits set up.

Your Z may not be moving because your Anti-dive is set too high. There is a step-by-step process listed on page 18 of the ArcPro user manual.

Hope this helps.

-Marc
Vital System Inc.

Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 04, 2017, 06:17:44 PM
HI do any one have screen shots of how to set up the inputs and outputs on mach4 and Integra board I don't understand the manual how to set up the board to be able to use the motors I have a plasma table but I don't think that is a difference I can't make any of my motors move I'm using micro steppers drivers after the Integra they light up but no luck moving the motor thanks,
screen shot will be great thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on September 05, 2017, 02:30:18 PM
you should start with the sample mach4 profile as it has all the basic settings to generate motion on the steppers.

here is the web link:

http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/motion/hicon/hicon_integra/Mach4_Integra_Mill.m4prof

regards
VSI Support
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 08, 2017, 06:10:39 PM
can't open the link
something star to download and cant open thaks
can you send me the link again thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 08, 2017, 06:14:13 PM
http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/motion/hicon/hicon_integra/Mach4_Integra_Mill.m4prof

or what software I need to open m4prof

I'm using a MacBook to surf the web
the pc where is mch4 don't have internet access

thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 08, 2017, 06:36:40 PM
I try on a pc and cant open any file .prof
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 08, 2017, 06:37:09 PM
any link where i just can see screeen shots of the mach4 with the integra ?  thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on September 08, 2017, 06:44:25 PM
run mach4 loader and click on import profile and select this file
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 10, 2017, 04:15:30 PM
so i open mach4 and then where i go ?  to help ?
im looking for screen how to set up the integra to move the motors thanks
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 10, 2017, 04:20:28 PM
is not a link on line where i can see how to set up all integra i'm sorry but i dont understand the manual
what to input on the  J2 J3
i have my steper motor conected to a steper driver that go to J2 on the integra
but motor dont do nothing on mach4 is only running one axes i import a gcode that is working on mach3 so is not that problem
Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: Vital System Support on September 10, 2017, 04:34:08 PM
See attached mach4 loader screen.

you can launch this from C:\mach4hobby\Mach4GUI.exe

then click on Import Profile and select the downloaded sample profile.

Title: Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150
Post by: lkigam on September 10, 2017, 04:38:15 PM
thank you very much i will try it thanks have a great weekend