Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Best settings for plasma cutting holes

« on: November 24, 2013, 12:24:29 PM »

Thanks for the quick responses, where should I look for delays in the config?

Also, my setup is:
5x10 Lightning CNC
Hypertherm Powermax 45 using Hand Torch & Machine Shield
NO THC YET
Cutting 1/8" & 1/4" mild steel plate

2

General Mach Discussion / Best settings for plasma cutting holes

« on: November 23, 2013, 10:28:52 PM »

Im having chronic hole cutting issues with my Plasma. The holes are nice and smooth, taper isnt bad...however, after every cut, the torch will stop moving and the arc will remain on for 1-2 seconds before extinguishing. The result is a nasty blowout from right where the torch stopped cutting.

Can anyone give me some tips on how to either program the arc to turn off sooner or a different work around.

Geoff

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help setting up Mach 3 for my table.

« on: October 29, 2013, 05:28:28 PM »

Apparently, My Lightning CNC table came with a "floating head".....

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help setting up Mach 3 for my table.

« on: October 22, 2013, 10:55:57 PM »

What is the benefit of the floating head and what does it do?

Looks just like the one on my unit.

-Geoff

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help setting up Mach 3 for my table.

« on: October 22, 2013, 05:06:47 PM »

I just confirmed with Scott that my licenses are infact legit! Woohoo,

jjmueller,

My experience with lightning has been 90% positive so far. I feel that for the $4400 that I paid for their 5x10 table, I received a GREAT bargain!

The machine works very well with my Powermax 45, its very stable, and the cuts are better than expected.

I do need a THC, but now that you mention a floating head, I will look into that...any links?

The only problem I had with Lightning was they shipped my order missing a bunch of critical parts, after I told them, they sent somebody out to personally deliver the missing parts the very next day and all has been well since.

The software I received is all licensed and everything is as advertised. The one complaint that I do have is the hand torch mount is a POS, I made my own in 30 minutes and threw theirs out...They charged me $50 for it so I could care less really.

-Geoff

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help setting up Mach 3 for my table.

« on: October 14, 2013, 12:53:03 AM »

Mine seems to be legit. Im going to call them tomorrow and have them provide me with my license info so I know for sure.

The hand torch adapter is USELESS, we had to fabricate our own since there is no hardware provided and it doesnt even remotely hold a torch. When asked how I use it they told me to zip tie the torch to it...WTF!!!

The frame is spray painted red and its a horrible paint job at best. I mean reallly really bad.

What concerns me the most is the 12 year old computer they included with the "kit" which had all the software pre-installed and kept crashing when trying to use it. After using it for 1 day, the system went into a blue screen of death and I havent been able to start it since.

Overall, the table seems fairly sturdy until you wiggle the z axis and it moves backwards over an INCH!! The gantry also has lots of side to side flex.

What do you mean by free-floating gantry? Anything I can do to improve the setup? We welded in the side slat holders but other than that..not sure what else can be done.

If they cant come up with licensing info tomorrow, Ill buy a legit copy and find a better computer. Small price to pay.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help setting up Mach 3 for my table.

« on: October 13, 2013, 07:47:06 PM »

How can you tell if the product is a pirate version?

I just bought a 5x10 from Lightning CNC and Im starting to wonder if my software is pirated as well.