Messages

871

General Mach Discussion / Re: HOMEMADE THC

« on: February 18, 2013, 04:37:58 AM »

Esteve - IMHO I wouldn't waste your time trying to implement this. It's a very old and basic design and even the guy that designed it (Tom Caudle from CandCNC) has recommend many times (on cnczone) that you don't use it.

Ian

872

General Mach Discussion / Re: Torch Height Control Process

« on: February 18, 2013, 03:32:18 AM »

Thx stirling

Ok now I get it 

I recall we chatted over email when I enquired about your thc unit. I will be ordering soon on my next build. My only concern being - which I'm experiencing now - is the second port needed. I can't seem to get a suitable wine that signals in Mach 3.

Your THC interfaces with the Cnc cable with powermax and don't require any interface connection to J21 and J18 for raw arc volts.

Hi Shane

My system does not need a second parallel port and you don't need to connect anything inside the plasma cutter and you don't need to go anywhere near raw arc volts. see www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,23755.0.html

Cheers

Ian

873

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 adding extra loops in a string of arcs

« on: February 17, 2013, 01:43:50 PM »

oops - missed that one.

Don't get me wrong Terry - I'm not disputing anything you've said - I fully eccept that Mach has issues and how. (triggers for example ). After the OP said "some" worked "some" didn't all I was doing was just trying to see why that was.

Cheers

Ian

874

General Mach Discussion / Re: Torch Height Control Process

« on: February 17, 2013, 12:13:16 PM »

So my understanding is the powermax 45 offers both options. And depending on the THC unit design it will require either connection. Would that be about right?

No - that is incorrect. The 45 (or any other plasma system) does NOT "offer" raw arc volts. Raw arc volts are present on the internal circuitry. Some THC's require an interface to be fitted internally to divide down this lethal voltage. Some other THC's  connect to the purposely designed interface that is present on most Hypeertherm models including the 45 as standard and so do not require any internal work to be done on the plasma system.

875

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 adding extra loops in a string of arcs

« on: February 17, 2013, 11:22:13 AM »

Hi Terry - the reason for my leadin/out cockup was I rebuilt the original curve simply by doing a 1 thou outside offset curve of it in Rhino but like a muppet I forgot to move those (manual) leadins/outs by a thou. 

Had a bit more of a play and of course you're quite right that Mach has an issue with cutter comp and climb milling. However there were a few things I noticed about the dxf. Mainly that there ARE gaps between some segments - small - but there none the less. Also some curves didn't meet other curves or line segments at tangents (not that they should have to) - again very slight deviations but there. Anyway I cleaned up the dxf to address these two "issues" (just the scratch plate profile) and now Mach seems much happier - see enclosed .tap.

That said - as you say - there IS an issue with Mach but maybe this might go some way to explaining why the OP had some drawings that worked and this one that didn't.

Ian

876

Promote and discuss your product / plasma THC for Hypertherm / Mach3 users

« on: February 17, 2013, 10:25:25 AM »

Razordance Digital THC

Tested on all compatible Hypertherm cutters by a professional plasma table manufacturer.

Unlike other THC's - requires NO modification of the plasma cutter itself.

Uses the standard built in Hypertherm THC interface.

Does NOT require a second parallel port.

www.razordance.co.uk/THC.htm

Note: This is a promotion and discussion thread for the Razordance DTHC - Please do not use this thread to ask for help with other makes of THC.

877

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 adding extra loops in a string of arcs

« on: February 16, 2013, 01:02:14 PM »

Terry - phew! - I thought I'd turned invisible for a minute there!!!

Did you try the .dxf I posted?

Ian

878

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 adding extra loops in a string of arcs

« on: February 16, 2013, 12:17:25 PM »

just for the hell of it try cam'ing this dxf and see what occurs.

Ian

879

Mach Screens / Re: Half the DRO

« on: February 13, 2013, 11:44:25 AM »

  but that's exactly what the code I posted does.... it finds the centre and calls it 0,0 

880

Mach Screens / Re: Half the DRO

« on: February 13, 2013, 10:10:18 AM »

Well it will because you've zero'd in the centre of the stock!

maybe you need to rewind and explain again WHY you want to position the tool in the centre of the stock