Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma fires on any axis move + no THC. Please help.

« on: December 14, 2016, 01:52:20 PM »

Good glad i could help. Im still trying to get the thc perfect myself. its pretty low cost so its only going to be so good.
and yea, strange sounds like something was shorting out and closing the loop somewhere.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma fires on any axis move + no THC. Please help.

« on: December 13, 2016, 02:16:20 PM »

I am using Mach3 for plasma cutting.
The torch is firing any time the xyz axis move. This happens when running g-code or jogging.

I'm using this BOB: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Axis-CNC-Breakout-Board-For-Stepper-Driver-Controller-mach3-for-Arduino-/400347266412

This is my cutter: http://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/plasma/powerplasma-60s

I'm using a proma 150 THC (Although I can't get it to work either)

The PowerPlasma 60s has a CNC port and i have pins 1&2 wired to the BOB relay-switch. I have the jumper closed on the BOB.
Mach3 / Spindle Set Up / Relay Control set to Output 1 on CW and CCW and
Output signals / Output #1 Enabled / Port1 / Pin17
The torch fires on any axis move but doesn't respond to M3 commands.

I've also tried Output 1 - Port 1 / Pin14 & PCGround - under this configuration it did fire with M3 commands but also fired under any axis move.

Jumping the CNC port's pins 1 and 2 together fires the torch.

ALSO: The THC isn't working either. All pins are wire as diagramed. In Proma test mode and Mach-Diagnostic the Torch ON-UP-DOWN LEDs are simultaneously all ON or all off depending on active low or high. The LEDs don't change with the proma. I have the Proma wired to pins 10,11 and 12 on the BOB.

Please help. I've watched every youtube video I can find.

http://us.stepperonline.com/download/pdf/5_Axis_CNC_Breakout_Board_Interface_Users_Manual.pdf

Check your settings vs the above manual.
For imputs to function you must have 10-24 volts going into the bob.
turn off your power supply to motors.
turn off plasma machine
open mach3
 when you power on the bob note the leds lit on the bob. use the torch on and off button to toggle the relay or mdi
look and listen. do you hear the relay click and the 2nd led light up.?

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma fires on any axis move + no THC. Please help.

« on: December 13, 2016, 12:54:02 PM »

Give me a bit and I will help. I have the same bob.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma, proma THC. NO floating head POST help

« on: December 13, 2016, 11:35:48 AM »

last night i somehow got it to work, today i cant even do that again. I want to refference the torch so thc works but i dont want the G92 anywhere
Any ideas?

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Please help BOB torch fire questions

« on: December 13, 2016, 12:30:25 AM »

Just an update. With this bob you actually have to have two different power supply's if you want the input pins to work. Has to have 5v from usb and 12-24v if you want the inputs to work as they appear to powerd by the 12-24 volt connection. I have everything running good including thc now except for a problem with the post as I do not have a floating head so it offsets my z to about 1 above the part. I can delete the code manually and it works as should but there has to be a way to edit the post as I do not know how to do yet. When I'm satisfied with how it's running I'll post up a lot of things I had to look a long time for in a thread or something.

6

General Mach Discussion / Plasma, proma THC. NO floating head POST help

« on: December 12, 2016, 11:53:21 PM »

Have setup going using the mach3 plasma post with scriber BUT even if I change the switch offset to zero by editing the post
It still throws my z too high.
I do not have a floating head.
I do not want a floating head right now.
I want to eyeball my z and let it go. I do not want the touch off stuff but I do want thc.
I can run the post and remove some code and it runs fine but can someone edit the post of show me how as I'm not too hot at
This yet.
Thanks.
Brandon.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Please help BOB torch fire questions

« on: December 04, 2016, 06:18:58 PM »

I do not know your BOB but if you have the relay clicking on demand then you're 99% of the way there.

You need to find the Com or Common contact and the NO or Normally Open contacts of that relay, no other voltage supply is needed.

Take these two contacts and wire to the "torch fire" lines on the PM45 connector, if you have the machine torch this should work, if you have the manual hand torch you will also need to modify the PM45 wiring to disable the manual torch safety system and make it think it has the machine torch fitted.

I have the hand torch for the moment. how would i fool the machine to think it has a machine torch.
yes the relay clicks but i cant find any voltage out of the bob. hypertherm manual says "normally open. 18VDC open circuit voltage at start terminals requires dry contact closure to operate."

well cancel all that its always so simple im not sure how I didnt already have it figured out. Guess i just needed some moral support.  She fires now. forgot to install the "machine torch" thanks again

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Please help BOB torch fire questions

« on: December 04, 2016, 05:15:33 PM »

I do not know your BOB but if you have the relay clicking on demand then you're 99% of the way there.

You need to find the Com or Common contact and the NO or Normally Open contacts of that relay, no other voltage supply is needed.

Take these two contacts and wire to the "torch fire" lines on the PM45 connector, if you have the machine torch this should work, if you have the manual hand torch you will also need to modify the PM45 wiring to disable the manual torch safety system and make it think it has the machine torch fitted.

I have the hand torch for the moment. how would i fool the machine to think it has a machine torch.
yes the relay clicks but i cant find any voltage out of the bob. hypertherm manual says "normally open. 18VDC open circuit voltage at start terminals requires dry contact closure to operate."

9

General Mach Discussion / Please help BOB torch fire questions

« on: December 04, 2016, 04:18:57 PM »

Afternoon
I have been reading on here for a long time now hoping i wouldn't have to post but..
With too little research i bought a 4X4 plasma table.
Im running this BOB http://us.stepperonline.com/download/pdf/5_Axis_CNC_Breakout_Board_Interface_Users_Manual.pdf
(yes i know its not that great.)
Also using ESS by wrap9td
PM45 with MIC
ESS and BOB powered by 5v isolated from Desktop
I also have proma THC. ( i know its not much)
I went with this because of my lack of research. I also wanted to upgrade in the future if everything pans out

As of now i am trying to get the torch to fire. I appear to have good motion on XY&Z axis
it is my understanding i need to connect the Plasma start to the output or spindle relay pins on the bob.
is this correct? I cant get any signal there. i noticed there is a place for 12-24v in do i need this?
when i toggle torch on in mach 3 i can hear the relay click and i get the red led on the BOB but nothing. if someone could point me to the correct pins or point out what im missing.
I have cnc experience but not so much mach 3. Im sure this is somthing pretty simple.
at this point im not even worried about  THC i just want to get the torch to fire first.
Thank you