Messages

1

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: Mach4 + Hicom7766 + Proma THC 150

« 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

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Looking 4 Onsite Mach4 setup/help

« on: November 25, 2016, 10:48:23 PM »

Mike was awesome today!! His patience, understanding and determination was perfect!!! It was so great to see our machine run today with such perfection! What Mike did in a few hours would have taken me months!! Thank you so much! Sorry for taking up so much of your day. It was great to meet you and spend the day with us. Hope to work together again soon.

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Looking 4 Onsite Mach4 setup/help

« on: November 21, 2016, 02:58:31 PM »

I have a home made 4 motor axis CNC plasma table with Mach4, HiCon Integra 7766  and Proma Elektronica Compact THC150.

I have been working on this machine for 1 1/2 years and at a point where I wonder if there is anyone in the Connecticut, Litchfield county area that would be willing to assist onsite to get the mach4 running again. Or if anyone knows of a company that is in the area that can help.

I have tried to follow forums, watch video's, reach out to vendors and done a ton of research. While I get super close to running the machine, there are just a few things that are off to make it not run correctly. I am lost and would love to see this machine begin to function correctly.

I am trying to get the system set up to run but seem to always run into an issue or two.
Here are just a few of my issues:
I am able to move the motors but they don't move smoothly when I try a dry run on a gcode.

The home limits do not work. I can get the motors to stop at one side of the board but not the other.

My Zaxis does not seem to know where home is. I thought the THC was to have a floating head but I do not why I cant seem to get it function correctly (should be set in sheetcam? How do I set up to function correctly).

When I go through the manuals and set up Mach and plugin accordingly, the Ref All home, Gtohome no longer function (I never had to write scripts in Mach3).

There are many input options but I am not sure if any are set up correctly.

I am afraid to begin my research for design in Cad/Cam/Gcode until I am at least able to run the machine so if anyone is experienced from start to finish with a plasma table that would be fantastic.

Thank you,

Cattle

4

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

« on: June 13, 2016, 02:17:42 PM »

Hello Jjmueller and Jerry. It seems like there are more than one of us out there where the software is kicking our butts. I have been trying for months to set up the mach3 software for a plasma table. I am new to the life and I seem to be so lost. I had the motors running but now they just stopped. I was so close, only thing I had left was to set up my limits but now I seem to be back at square one:(.

I have not changed my ports for when they were working before. My THC for port 2 seems to be working. The DRO moves on the screen but the table display shows nothing, the soft limits button will not light up. I know its something in the settings but I am lost...any help would be fantastic.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Control Panel running, Machine is not..HELP

« on: April 12, 2016, 12:24:36 PM »

Thank you so much. After trying the get port function I determined the port drivers were not installed correctly and may have been damaged. I ordered new ports and installed. Machine is now functioning. Thank you so much for the response.

6

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Control Panel running, Machine is not..HELP

« on: April 04, 2016, 04:45:16 PM »

Yes, I am aware of the device properties entered into Mach 3. While I do understand most computer procedures this is my first time installing a port into a computer. When I installed the drives it listed it as an other device. I am not sure how to have the device read as a com port. This computer is also not connected to the internet being in a shop so drives and such are being added through a external hard drive or flash drive.

7

Mach3 and G-Rex / Control Panel running, Machine is not..HELP

« on: April 04, 2016, 04:31:07 PM »

I am trying to setup a computer to run our CNC machine. I am more techy than machinist (BF is the machinist but knows nothing about computers). I had to add two new ports to the computer to connect the plasma. Everything is loaded on the computer. When I launch the Mach3 plasma and pull up a g-code design it does run on the control panel. But it will not make the machine move. I thought it was due to the new ports I added. I do seem the listed under the device manager (under other device and not under ports (COM & LPT) but I can not seem to get anything to run. I am not sure if its the way I installed the software or that I installed the ports incorrectly. Any help would be fantastic!

8

General Mach Discussion / Control Panel running, Machine is not..HELP

« on: April 04, 2016, 03:39:21 PM »

I am trying to setup a computer to run our CNC machine. I am more techy than machinist (BF is the machinist but knows nothing about computers). I had to add two new ports to the computer to connect the plasma. Everything is loaded on the computer. When I launch the Mach3 plasma and pull up a g-code design it does run on the control panel. But it will not make the machine move. I thought it was due to the new ports I added. I do seem the listed under the device manager (under other device and not under ports (COM & LPT) but I can not seem to get anything to run. I am not sure if its the way I installed the software or that I installed the ports incorrectly. Any help would be fantastic!