Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: thc300 help

« on: August 25, 2010, 12:28:18 PM »

really,   can you explain further.   The smooth stepper accepts a 2nd parallel port and the  s/s diagnostics page shows the input being activated (i.e up, down)    Is there something im missing ??

12

General Mach Discussion / thc300 help

« on: August 24, 2010, 09:12:36 PM »

Hi all,

I have a thc300  torch height controller that i cant get to work properly. 

Everything appears to work correctly but the THC will not make z-movement corrections with the THC enabled (thc Lite flashing).  All the mach3 leds (up, down, ark ok) appear to lite up when required, except the torch active led.  The "torch active" led does not lite up under any condition.  Also the thc correction dro never changes from 0.000    While the torch is cutting material,  the led display shows a dc voltage that seems appropriate to the torch to material distance.  This value changes as the torch to material distance changes.

I am using a smooth stepper and a pmdx-131  break out board  for interface , Sheetcam with the THC-300 post processor to generate my code.  The torch offest portion of the code appears to work, but not the correction.

Does anyone know why my z-axis correct  ?


Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks
 

13

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smooth Stepper - no motor output

« on: April 03, 2010, 08:28:34 PM »

My issue is solved,     The problem was that the PMDX would disable the motor outputs because it did not see the charge pump signal when using the smooth stepper. (JP1)  I disabled this function and the outputs work perfect.   

Thumbs up !!!  to the smooth stepper its an excellent product !!!   


HOOD -=- Thanks for you diagnosis of the XML file.   It helped with the troubleshooting process.   



Thanks
R. Ramos

14

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper config problems with known, good Parallel Port XML

« on: March 24, 2010, 10:23:45 PM »

Sorry wrong post

15

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smooth Stepper - no motor output

« on: March 19, 2010, 07:52:42 PM »

Hood,

Thanks for the Diagnosis of my xml file.   I will double check the BOB pin out settings.   At a first glance I didnt notice anything different.   I will investigate and update this post.


thanks
R. Ramos

16

SmoothStepper USB / Smooth Stepper - no motor output

« on: March 18, 2010, 05:06:51 PM »

Hi all,

I recently installed a smooth stepper on my 3-axis plasma cutter with a thc-300 installed.   My setup consists of the following:   gecko 201 steppers,  pmdx-131 for the breakout board, and thc-300 torch height controller.   

The current issue I am having is there is no output to the motors!!   The DRO's show movement through mach3  and the smooth stepper diagnostics page shows motor output data,  but the drives will not spin !!   Anyone have ideas ??

Also for additional information all the other inputs  and outputs (estop, limits, and relay outputs (torch start)) seen to work.  Huh

I have attached my XML file.  Can someone help me analyze this to find my problem.    Any help is greatly appreciated


Thanks

17

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / sheetcam thc300 post porcesssor help

« on: May 13, 2009, 08:29:51 PM »

hello all,

I am a newbie trying to learn the code of the thc300 post processor. I have drawn a simple square and applied the thc300 post processor to it.

I have been having issues with certain settings under sheet cam. My issues are as follows:

1. How do I set the speed of the z movement when the torch plunges for stock. I have changed the the plunge rate though the "plasma cutter properties page" with no success

2. How do I set the rapid speed of the z axis when the torch is motion.


attached is the .tap file that was created by sheetcam

N0000 (Filename: square5555.tap)
N0010 (Post processor: Plasma THC300.post)
N0020 (Date: 1/28/2002)
N0030 G20 (Units: Inches)
N0040 G53 G90 G40
N0050 F1
N0060 S500
N0070 (Part: square)
N0080 (Process: Plasma, 0, Plasma, 0.0008 inch kerf)
N0090 M06 T0 (Plasma, 0.0008 inch kerf)
N0100 G00 Z0.0000
N0110 X4.7975 Y5.8531
N0120 G28.1 Z0.12
N0130 G92 Z0.0
N0140 G00 Z0.1330
N0150 G92 Z0.0
N0160 G00 Z0.0800
N0170 M03
N0180 G01 X4.7975 Y5.8531 F50
N0190 G02 X5.4375 Y6.4931 I0.6400 J0.0000 F130.0
N0200 G01 Y0.0004
N0210 X0.0004 Y0.0004
N0220 Y6.4931
N0230 X5.4375
N0240 G02 X4.7975 Y5.8531 I-0.6400 J0.0000
N0250 M05
N0260 M05 M30


Also can someone explain certain functions within the posted g-code as i do not understand them.

N0050 F1 (not sure what this does )
N0060 S500 (not sure what this does )
N0100 G00 Z0.0000 (i assume this is the plunge, How do I change the g00 for a specific feed rate)

thanks for any help in advance

18

General Mach Discussion / mach 3 and thc 300 arc voltage setpoint

« on: May 13, 2009, 08:27:48 PM »

Hi all,


I have a plasma table running mach3 and the thc300 plugin.

Where is the proper location to set the arc voltage setpoint?? I have tried the
"tip volts" point under the settings page with no success. Does anyone know if this is the correct location to set your tip voltage ??

I am tried to trouble shoot if this is a THC issue or a Mach issue


thanks for any input in advance

19

General Mach Discussion / Arc Voltage control

« on: November 09, 2008, 02:42:26 PM »

hey all,

After getting most of  the small issues  sorted out with my THC-300.  I have started to do some cuts to fine tune my machine.

After  some testing I have noticed  an issue with the Arc Voltage control.   My  THC seems to operate correctly   (i.e It moves the Z axis  up and down.  )
But my issue is that it does not seem to maintain the THC voltage set point.   

Here is an explanation of  what is happening. -=-

I am cutting a simple square  using a 40Amp tip  set to 200 IPM my Z is also set to 200IPM.  My arc voltage set point is  78VDC and set though Mach3 in the Settings page labeled "Tip Volts"
My code is also generated with sheet cam using the THC300  post processor.
When the code is run everything appears  normal but the arc voltage on the front panel display  will vary between  70 and  100 Volts.


thanks for any help in advance

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: THC-300 sheet cam help!!!!

« on: October 19, 2008, 06:08:56 PM »

Found   some answers for anyone interested  !!!    -=-  This is a cross post from the cnczone 


"If you are using SheetCAM then the settings need to be put in the Tool Chart parameters. The SwitchOffset variable in the POST should be edited and changed to your actual switch overtravel value on the floating head. You can't use the MACH macro's and settings in SheetCAM. I have no idea why Campbell Designs still has the elements on the screens or the macros. You don't need pierce delay if you use the Arc Good sensor and the THC logic in MACH. It automatically holds motion until an arc is established."