Thanks JP - now working. FWIW I first tried this on my simulation Mach PC - i.e. no PP driver and although the Torch On/Off worked the TorchUP/Down didn't - the LEDs lit but no Z activity. Then I remembered a similar keyboard emulation issue I had a while back with the probe signal. It only actually works with the PP driver loaded. Sure enough the same seems to apply in this case.

thanks again

Ian

BTW, what do you mean with "pp driver" ?

JP

Parallel Port Driver. I have a Mach on my office PC with no machine attached for just testing stuff and therefore I didn't install the PP driver and a Mach in my workshop driving a machine and therefore I did install the PP driver.

Cheers

Ian

OK it's clear now 

JP

Hey guys
 Did you get your DTHC working

Hey guys
 Did you get your DTHC working

Hi,

Well not yet... Still finishing my CNC. See it's first cut here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILIp6wt-FJ4

JP

Hi all,
Height control with Mach3
Please look:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rslIWcyfOo
Also please visit our web page www.agelkom.com.tr

Greetings for all:

I am little lost about how to set up THC feature of Mach3. Do I need some external divice to control the torch? or is just an option? if not, how do I configure the thc in Mach3 to work?

Is there any schematics? I have looked all over for info. like this. The Mach3 docs are very poor and dont tell how to use THC in it.

Any help appreciated.

Richy
 

Hi Richy,
It is possible to use Capacitive Sensor as a THC for Oxy Fuel and Plasma cutting.
It has some advantage than voltage controlled THC. No need floating switch or other things for "where the plate is" just adjust the height. And other advantage is PWM output not ON/OFF control that for causing oscillation the torch. It allows smooth Z movement during cutting.

Sensor connection via port and required 2 inputs.
Config>Ports&Pins>Input Signal>enable Torch On\ Up\ Down
Also you need simple macro:

For M3 command
code "g31 z0"
sleep(100)             //for slowing down the routine
While IsMoving()   // This will allow to continuously follow the curve on cutting material
sleep(100)             //for slowing down the routine
Wend
DoSpinCW()
Sleep (5000)      //wait for the z axis close to cutting plate and stop
 
(Also it is possible to use G28.1)
 
After that you can add to macro for zeroing the Z axes: G92Z0

Regards

Gents,

I am now back with my machine which makes me very happy! Im interested in how you are all getting on with your projects versions etc, does anyone else have a working version of the dthc in mach? What about the version using the spindle speed input? I would als be interested in hearing more from the guys who were talking about signal filtering as i plan to try to make my version of the dthc work better.

Thanks

Matt