Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: kkinser99 on July 05, 2016, 11:27:40 AM

Title: Pro Cut CNC plasma table help needed?
Post by: kkinser99 on July 05, 2016, 11:27:40 AM
Hello, I Purchased a Procut cnc plasma table a few months ago and am in final stages of getting it up and running. Having some issues though. I have every axis running but am having trouble understanding the data interface connection on the back of the plasma. I have a hypertherm model 65. I have attached a schematic to help you see my wiring layout. I am confused about the connection I need to make from the cnc control to the plasma machine interface. I do not currently have a THC so does that mean I only need to connect to interface contacts 3 and 4 (Plasma Arc) or will 12 and 14 (Plasma transfer) need be required as well? Are the connections shown in my schematic correct? That being 3 and 4 are connect to relay at control box and 12 and 14 have a 5v connection and a connection going to #15 on pin out board. Also if I am on the right track Where do I establish these connections in mach pins and ports? Also is there other general configuration settings I need to change for plasma use?
Title: Re: Pro Cut CNC plasma table help needed?
Post by: kkinser99 on July 05, 2016, 12:41:39 PM
I am having trouble attaching the cnc schematic file even below 6000 KB so I am trying it another way. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153597590956976&set=a.10153597590366976.1073741832.500286975&type=3&theater
Title: Re: Pro Cut CNC plasma table help needed?
Post by: robertspark on July 05, 2016, 01:48:47 PM
Yes you will use the arc transfer input.  Basically it tells the motion controller when the arc has transferred and motion can begin (delay for pierce or drop to cut height etc)

The torch fire will need to go via a relay, and the arc transfer to an input.

The input for me should really go via either an optoisolator or via a relay (not my recommendation... but it will work), the reason is the arc transfer is done via the closing of a relay inside the pmx65 so if you put 5v into your pmx it is more likely to be affected by electrical noise on a 5v TTL signal, but if you input 24v into your pmx65 for example it is highly unlikely that noise will be great enough to create sufficient noise for the signal to change state.

I would suggest an optoisolator with a couple of resistors to limit current flow to the optoisolator specs (about 10ma normally), you could also use a reed relay (much more high speed than a standard 24v relay.
Title: Re: Pro Cut CNC plasma table help needed?
Post by: robertspark on July 05, 2016, 01:54:39 PM
The pinout for the pmx interface is here

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hypertherm.com/Xnet/library/library.jsp%3Ffile%3DHYP103957&ved=0ahUKEwimvZ_S8dzNAhVpL8AKHcgoCo0QFggbMAA&usg=AFQjCNE3T2d_5tkjgBs6m4eqKSqyzAVGTw&sig2=sRF6RUlXKPB-GmSHVdMWBQ
Title: Re: Pro Cut CNC plasma table help needed?
Post by: robertspark on July 05, 2016, 02:03:26 PM
Within mach3 the torch fire is normally controlled by output #1 (although any output can be used).... then on the config drop down menu, select ports and pins, and on the outputs tab, select output 1, and input the port and pin number, then go to the mill tab (2nd last one), and check that m3 controls output 1 (spindle clockwise), then go to the inputs and select THCOK, and select the corresponding port and pin numbers for the inputs used.

Everything should work fine then..... if you have problems, upload your XML file and someone will have a look at it for you as there could be other things that catch you out settings wise, but it would take ages to give you information that has taken years to a mass on Mach and setups and what does what.