Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Torch Start Macro

« on: July 08, 2015, 04:20:11 PM »

TP

I tried to start the torch without doing all this work but I had nothing but problems.  I tried looking for setup instructions but only found bits and pieces without any clear explanation of how things are setup and what happens on the forum or in any documentation.  I've spent many many hours to get these machines running and this is what I've ended up with.

If you know of any instructions on how to setup the plasma torch to startup as described above in my M4 macro I would love to hear it.  The system is very simple:

1, an air cylinder to raise and lower the head,  Output 3
2, a relay to turn the torch on and off, Output 1
3, a relay to turn a rotary cutter on and off, Output 2
4, a set of contacts in the torch to signal Arc OK, Input 1 /THC On

That's it, it should be simple.  Instead i have had to create this monster code. It works and right now that is all I care about.

If you know of anything that describes how to set up starting up a plasma torch, I would LOVE to hear where I can find it.

2

General Mach Discussion / Plasma Torch Start Macro

« on: July 07, 2015, 06:40:03 PM »

Hello everyone.  I have been working on a M4 macro to start the torch on a plasma table running Mach3.  I think I've finally worked out all of the problems with it and would like to know how well you think it is written.

I look forward to hear what everyone has to say.

------------------------------------

'Macro to start plasma torch

'Checks dry run status
If GetOEMLED(52)Then
 Message "Dry Run"
Else

'Define
 Const PierceDlyDro = 177
 Dim PierceDly

'Read the PierceDlyDro
PierceDly = (GETOEMDRO(PierceDlyDro)* 1000)
Message "Using Pierce Delay of: " & (GETOEMDRO(PierceDlyDro)) & " Seconds"

'Main
DeActivateSignal(Output2)   'Turns off Rotary Cutter
ActivateSignal(Output3)   'Lowers head
Sleep (1000)   'Wait 1 second for the Torch Head to lower
StartTHC()
ActivateSignal (Output1)   'Turns on Torch
Sleep(GETOEMDRO(PierceDlyDro)* 1000)   'Pauses for pierce delay interval

'Wait for Arc OK signal
i = 0
While (Not GetOEMLED(36)) And (i < 400)   'Wait for Arc OK or 4 seconds
  sleep 10
  i = i + 1
Wend

'Arc OK/ No Arc routine
If GetOEMLED(36) Then
  Message "Arc Started"
 Else
  Message "Arc Failed"
  DeActivateSignal(Output1)   'Turn off torch
  DeActivateSignal(Output3)   'Raise head
  Code ("M30")
 END IF

end if

3

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Programing Question

« on: May 07, 2014, 10:03:32 PM »

This all came about because the custom homing script on a gantry style plasma machine was not working properly.  I actually had to increase the sleep time to correct it.  Now it stops before homing is complete if the gantry is too far from home.

I will  try what you suggest and see what happens.

Thanks for your help.

4

VB and the development of wizards / Programing Question

« on: May 07, 2014, 08:13:00 PM »

I am working on a custom Homing/Referencing script and would like help with some code.

In my script I want to pause the code to wait for the referencing process to finish. The code that I am using is:

DoOemButton(1023)   'Home Y
While IsMoving
Sleep(1000)
Wend

This code was developed from a number of examples from the forum but it does not seem right to me.

The way I would translate it would be;  While the machine is still homing the Y axis wait 1 second and then run the rest of the code.  

What I want to do is wait until the referencing process is complete and then run the rest of the code.

Is this code correct?

Is there a better way to write this script?

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma setu.p

« on: November 04, 2013, 11:49:03 AM »

By Arc OK do you mean THC On input signal?

6

General Mach Discussion / CNC Plasma setu.p

« on: November 04, 2013, 11:33:32 AM »

I am setting up a CNC Plasma machine and am unsure of the best way to handle two items.  I have tried looking them up on the forum and not found what I am looking for.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The first is how to handle an 'OK to move' signal.  My plasma controller system contains a set of contacts that close once plasma torch is on and functioning properly. if for some reason the arch fails these contacts open to stop movement until the torch is functioning properly.  What I am unsure about is how do I interface this with Mach to work properly and in a way that is consistent with the operation of other plasma machines?

The second item has to do with raising and lowering the head.  On my machine the head is raised or lowered by an air cylinder.  Though I could use coolant pump circuit to implement this,I would prefer to integrate it into the code that starts and stops the torch head. Do I accomplish this through a macro, a brains file, or some other way.