I have been working on trying to get the latest plasma build to work and ran into some strange issues today.
My machine uses a PMDX-410 USB SmartBOB connected to a PMDX BOB. I am using PMDX plugin version 0.52.254 because I had signal problems with the latest update. This machine is fully functional on the GA release of Mach4 (build 3804), obviously without the Touch and Plasma features.
I started today with a clean install of build 4225 and didn't transfer anything over from previous profiles. I am using the defaule Mach4_Plasma Profile. Once I configured I/O, Motors, and the PMDX plugin, I added the latest configs for the slave Z motor, enabled the THC ON signal, and setup the new Plasma Screen Configuration panel. Note: I have not connected an arc voltage signal yet so I am running in THC manual mode for now. I will get back to that later.
Once I homed all axes, zeroed up a piece of stock, and loaded a test file, I started testing. Some things seem to work as expected:
-With torch powered off, the code will halt at M3 because there is no arc OK signal. It will timeout and stop.
-with the torch on, I noticed that M3 now has a touchoff routine built-in. This is great progress guys, I need to learn more about it.
Here is what didn't work correctly:
-The "Omit Touchoff" button initially lead to a probe move down until probe signal comes on, hung the Touch function, and then crashed Mach. Restart required to get back into action...
-With the Touchoff routine enabled, the machine would touchoff correctly, zero the Z DRO, move up to my pierce height, fire and make the first cut. The second M3 command would initiate a Touchoff, seek down until probe signal on, then hang. The errors are 'PMDX DEVICE ERROR 'SYSTEM ERROR(7): Motion Calc Underrun' followed by "MACRO ALARM:3 MERROR_NOT_NOW"
For unknown reasons, the Omit Touchoff button started working after several restarts of Mach, I didnt change anything. Unfortunately the Touch feature still hangs after the probe signal lights up.
Can anyone help me step through the config, and debug the error I am seeing? I feel like I am close to having a fully functional plasma rig, I just need to work out the kinks.
Thanks a lot,
Jamie