As said, I don't know much about the details of plasma. You can thank "Dan" for
the macro.
This macro probes the TOM using G31 to set torch height. Used with a floating head such that
a switch mounted on the Z provides an input to Mach post probing. Consider creating a
user DRO on the screen for inputing a torch height based on material thickness and use that
value for the Z offset value in this macro as that provides for cleaner cuts.
Code generated by LC provides an M3 before / after each cut. Since the plate TOM may not be
flat due to mounting, the plate itself , or warping the macro takes care of that problem. Your offset of
the torch ( piece height ) will be based on your experience of cutting different material and
thickness. You will need to adjust the macro depending on machine setup and generated code.
Call SetOEMDRO(802, 0) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00
Code "G31 Z-8.0 F60" 'probe surface and z needs to be > actual TOM lcoation so it touches off
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G4 P.5" 'wait
ZprobePos = GetVar(2002) 'get Z contact point
Code "G0 Z" &ZprobePos 'return to point to remove overshoot See note below
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call SetOEMDRO(802, 0) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00 This is TOM
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G4 P.5" 'wait
Code "G0 Z.480 F30" 'remove floating head travel Adjust for your travel
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G4 P.0" 'wait
Call SetOEMDRO(802,.100) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00 See comment on pierce heght above for Z offset value
While IsMoving()
Wend
ActivateSignal(Output2) ' Modify for your inputs and outputs Fires torch
NOTE: One can calculate touch off overtravel. There are different thoughts about feedrate and
how best to do it,but,for my lathe tool touch off the axis rapids close to material and then a
slow feedrate is used for the touch off ( touch off is repeatable to around 0.0002"). So it's
like a single axis move and no adjustment is needed.Don't think that the overtravel distance
will have that great of an infuence on the pierce height, but, depends on yout switch
characteristics and feedraqte used. You calculate to see what the timimg influence is. I just
mention this since maybe there is no need for the overshoot adjustment in the macro.
RICH