Messages

211

General Mach Discussion / Re: help with torch height

« on: June 08, 2016, 04:15:01 PM »

Can you open the "M15" code file and upload its contents.

go into C:\Mach3\macros\..... choose the folder that matches our profile name.... then open the M15.m1s file

you can open it with notepad and post its contents.

At the moment you are using G40 & G41 for cutter compensation, I have not used this for plasma as my software that generates the gcode allows for the plasma kerf (sheetcam) ..... what software are you using.

Can you also post the M3 file contents too.... as the M15 is probably just moving the torch to the safe height.... and the M3 once the torch moves to the next X and Y location is carrying out the touch off sequence.

A photo of you torch height controller may help.

212

General Mach Discussion / Re: help with torch height

« on: June 08, 2016, 04:06:54 PM »

emily, you only need to upload the "XML" file which is located in the Mach3 root folder (C:\Mach3\******************.xml)

213

General Mach Discussion / Re: help with torch height

« on: June 08, 2016, 03:15:01 PM »

emily, can you upload your profile (the *.XML file to have a look at)   If you start Mach3, and look in the lower right hand corner of the screenset t should say somethng like profile: "plasma", you will need to rename it to something unique so it will upload like emily.xml


can you also post a section of your gcode to have a look at.... you can cut most of the first part and the second part out and just upload the bit where it changes from one part to the next.


I suspect that the THC may not be set up.... and the ohmic cap may not be assigned a pin.... but these are just guesses .... what torch height controller are you using?

I also suspect that your post processor is not generating the right motion...

i.e at the end of the cut (M05), it is going to the safe hight between moves (G00 Z-2 )
 then it is maybe not touching off on the metal (G31 Z-5 F30) or G28.1  [The "Z" and "F" numbers are just a guess of something that will work]

Wth G31 it will need to zero the Z axis (with G92 Z0 or Z-0.03 say at a guess)  [the number all depends on your switch offset, my ohmic probe has about 0.1mm clearance (Z-0.004)]

214

SmoothStepper USB / Re: ESS slow load, Wake up board does not reply, mid stream failure -Debounce

« on: May 14, 2016, 07:19:11 PM »

Given you are obviously well read, what do you see as a better product?

215

General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behaviour?

« on: May 14, 2016, 04:02:05 PM »

I had a problem with a macro that would not complete the function, and tracked it down to not having a carriage return after the last function.

Try it with a number of dry cuts and see if it now works, presume you have the two cypress basic mach3 manuals, can't remember if it was in there or on here or a known issue with basic...

(It was a THC macro not a dospin() function though)

216

General Mach Discussion / Re: Multimeter info

« on: May 14, 2016, 07:39:41 AM »

Fluke 88 automotive for me, had it ~10 years
But it would be overkill for bog standard use.
And a Philips (fluke) scopemeter 97, under utilised.

Really you want:
Ac, DC, ohms, diode test.

I'd suggest autoranging (that way you are less likely to kill something by using it on the wrong voltage range)

Current reading is not really something that gets used much.

Beep continuity test is useful too (testing fuses, identifying cable cores etc)

Fluke is a top brand and it will likley last a lifetime as not a trade everyday use, but can be pricey.

217

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling THC?

« on: May 10, 2016, 10:37:38 AM »

What height detection software?

Is it just a g31 or g28.1 macro for touch off?

What z axis screw pitch are you running with what stepper ampage and voltage?

Rob

218

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling THC?

« on: May 09, 2016, 03:17:46 PM »

Dave, have you got a plunge rate for your zaxis.

I've now got a pmx45, 230v too.

After pierce where it moves down to cut height have you read anywhere or are aware of a recommended plunge from pierce to cut height, the reason why I ask is because of my fiddling with sheetcam post processors (no I ain't broken it yet), I noticed that some use the cut feedrate to drop from pierce to cut, whilst this may be OK for thin stuff with fast motion it may lead to an overcut a start (divot) where you have pierce delay and then a slower than it needs to be drop to cut height before motion.

(May be over thinking something here.....)

219

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling THC?

« on: May 09, 2016, 02:34:33 PM »

Really what you are looking for is range... If 20% works for everything you do, great, if you need to adjust the setting for thick and thin stuff then you really want some range to the adjustment, unfortunately the trade off is that you won't have phenomenal z axis rapid speed worthy of braging to your friends at the bar...  But it will work great, and the only time you use the rapid z axis speed is after touch off up to Pierce height, and a clearance move or safe z move after cutting.

220

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling THC?

« on: May 09, 2016, 02:17:55 PM »

It is inbuilt within Mach.

The way to do this is to lower your z axis rapid speed setting in in/min or mm/min under the motor tuning setting.

Rob