I am setting up a CNC Plasma machine and am unsure of the best way to handle two items. I have tried looking them up on the forum and not found what I am looking for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The first is how to handle an 'OK to move' signal. My plasma controller system contains a set of contacts that close once plasma torch is on and functioning properly. if for some reason the arch fails these contacts open to stop movement until the torch is functioning properly. What I am unsure about is how do I interface this with Mach to work properly and in a way that is consistent with the operation of other plasma machines?
The second item has to do with raising and lowering the head. On my machine the head is raised or lowered by an air cylinder. Though I could use coolant pump circuit to implement this,I would prefer to integrate it into the code that starts and stops the torch head. Do I accomplish this through a macro, a brains file, or some other way.