Mach 3 and thc

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kennye
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Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

Ive been going through a lot of issues lately and had to finally replace my comp .Im running into a problem setting up my promo thc
if i go into mach 3 and check allow thc it seems to pierce a lot of holes and doesn't cut .I can uncheck thc and it cuts fine only height control doesnt work.Anyone else had this problem what am I missing.thanks in advance.
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acourtjester
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

have you setup the Arc Ok, up and down signals in ports and Pins under input signals, also on the program page the is a THC box (middle of the page) that may need to be on for it to work correctly.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

Thanks Ill check the only thing I see in input is thc on so I guess thats the same as arc ok .
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

you still need the up and down signals for it to know which way to move.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

I think I changed something in config that screwed it up .For some reason or another plasma mode checked made a difference not checked.
Its working so Ill just leave it alone .Im trying to get the water switch working now as a ohmic sensor would you happen to know what post processor
I need to be using? thanks
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

I used the water switch a few time you wire it to the probe input pin as a NO, as it make the circuit when it touches the metal.
The 5 inputs on my BOB are all home/limits switches in series NC (including the floating head switch) that's 1. Then my THC takes 3 more (arc OK, up,and down) and then the water switch is the last hooked to probe. I run a wire from the torch tip connector, the other wire is to the metal tab I have on my table that I hook the plasma work lead to. You do not need to locate the water switch near the torch, mine is in the controller cabinet.
When you test it go to the diagnostic page and look at the digitize light, when your torch touches the metal the green will show. I use the page down to move the torch to just touch the metal to test when it lights page up it turns off.
I get the +12 from the computer ( the yellow wire from the power supply is +12 and black wire is ground for power in ) the 2 sensor wires go to the torch tip and the metal contact wire either way no polarity. the relay output goes to you BOB either way it is just a switch connection no polarity. :D
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

I have it sorta working just the opposite when it touches it gos off and the torch light comes on may be I have something checked wrong
should the digitized and probe be on the same pin number ? I also think I may need to get some kind of silicone spray to keep it from shorting out
because Im trying to use it on a water table and it seems to be causing problems . So I dont need to change post processors or will it work for any ?
thanks in advance
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

yes the setting in ports and pins needs to be changed, see attached image and reverse the setting that the arrow is pointing to.
As to post processor you will need to use one that uses the G-code for the probe which is G31 in place of G28. The G31 tell Mach to look at the probe input to signal that it has touched the metal surface. Now to be safe you should also use a floating head switch but wired as a limit, that way if the probe does not complete the circuit, the torch will stop moving when the floating head switch trips.
here is what the post processor should have in it, it may not be exactly but must have the G31 command.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

I think I might have it half way figured out The only problem I have I think is the post processor it moves and makes contact then lifts up and then starts back down and fires .I also get a probe ignore warning in mach .Im going to keep trying to find the right post and will let you kno how it turns out .thanks
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

The probe error is because Mach is getting a probe signal when it is not looking for one. Can you send the G-code that you generated so I can look at it.
If you want you can just send the first cut operation from the start until the first M5 command you can copy in Notepad.
Attached is a zip file with 2 post processors the should work for you. You may need to download WinRar (free) to un-zip them. copy then into your SheetCam post folder and then select one to generate a g-code to try.
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Mach3 plasma using probe use 6-4-17.zip
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

N0000 (Filename: Merry Christmas ornamentmod 2.tap)
N0010 (Post processor: Plasma THC300 - G31.scpost)
N0020 (Date: 11/16/2018)
N0030 G21 (Units: Metric)
N0040 G53 G90 G40
N0050 F1
N0060 S500
N0070 (Part: Merry Christmas ornament)
N0080 (Process: Outside Offset, {Layer 120 not found}, T2: Plasma, 0.0591 in kerf)
N0090 M06 T2 (Plasma, 0.0591 in kerf)
N0100 (Process: Outside Offset, 1, T2: Plasma, 0.0591 in kerf)
N0110 G00 X91.7822 Y40.8390 Z4.0000
N0120 G31 Z -100 F500.0
N0130 G92 Z0.0
N0140 G00 Z0.0000
N0150 G92 Z0.0
N0160 G00 X91.7822 Y40.8390 Z3.0000
N0170 M03
N0180 G01 Z1.5240 F100.0
N0190 G03 X93.0499 Y40.9604 I-0.1619 J8.3700 F2540.0
N0200 X93.1329 Y40.9797 I-0.1281 J0.7390
N0210 X94.9651 Y45.2244 I-0.8454 J2.8827
N0220 X92.3371 Y47.0332 I-2.9218 J-1.4315
N0230 X94.9251 Y53.1449 I-80.5795 J37.7253
N0240 G02 X96.2922 Y50.5172 I-17.0827 J-10.5574
N0250 X97.2761 Y44.2694 I-14.2009 J-5.4377
N0260 X96.1037 Y40.3847 I-9.6243 J0.7853
N0270 X94.0510 Y38.7563 I-3.4264 J2.2114
N0280 X93.7034 Y38.9364 I0.0011 J0.4276
N0290 G03 X93.6172 Y39.0376 I-0.6116 J-0.4341
N0300 G02 X91.7822 Y40.8390 I8246.8886 J8402.0100
N0310 M05 I tried the 2 post processors in the zip but there is a bad delay on the z down axis about 2 mins for it to move around 1 inch.
this one seems to work only to lift up and start back down.Thanks for the help you're giving .
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

Hi
Ok the delay is most likely because you are using metric and I am using inch, this is effecting the speed command (F is the speed command).
this is seen in your G-code for the Z down movement you have F500 (line no120 ) and mine was much smaller. This will also effect other commands in the post I sent like the sizes of the finished product, it is a small thing to change for it to work correctly.
I your G-code I see a problem with line no160 I don't understand why the command is telling the table of move the X and Y axis to exactly the same position it move to in line no110 the Z movement is close but Z4.0 is better for a pierce height. All that is needed on line no160 is G0Z4 There also is no pierce delay unless this is thin metal.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by djreiswig »

I haven't looked at the post, but the duplicate coordinates could be a nonModal command causing it to output all moves instead of just different ones.
It also could be a rounding issue. If the move is 0.00001 then it would show as the same figure when truncated to 4 decimal places, but since it is actually different would output anyway.
I ran into this with my post and put in a fix to round to the correct decimal places.
It shouldn't cause a problem, just looks goody.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

I changed the mm to inch and that seems to have been the problem with the post not working . Im trying to figure out why it keeps stopping and telling me in mach probe ignore activated at call for probe has anyone ran across this before ? thanks for the help in advance
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by djreiswig »

Do you have the probe input in Mach set up? G31 is a probe move. Of you don't have the probe enabled, that could be the cause.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

Yes I have it enabled it actually cuts good and up and down like it should then it will starts the crazy stuff ten if I hit start again it might cut all the way out with no problems . im going to recheck the ground on the table tomorrow and see if thats an issue.Also on the water sensor wires I have one grounded to the metal by an alligator clip and the other one wired to the torch end. I would think that it should be that way but I may be wrong there .Ill try something different on that if possible when I try to search about this issue I found a few posts saying it might be a noise issue I assume they they are talking about electrical feedback . I maybe wrong there or could they talking about something entirely different.? Ill keep trying normally I wouldn't have a problem but the metal Ive been getting lately sucks being warped up the crap and back . thanks for all the help someday Ill get most of it figured out and might be able to help someone else like this forum and members have helped me .thanks
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by acourtjester »

Here is another thing to look at, this helps to keep the noise duration for a longer time. This is in the "General Config" change both number before Hitting enter. The go bach to be sure it changed them.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

Thanks mine was at 0 ill let you know.
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

It keeps stopping on .No 120 zo.1181 if that means anything
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Re: Mach 3 and thc

Post by kennye »

Sorry it has taken so long to get back .I think I figured out what my problem was I found what I guess was oxidation on the cap off my plasma torch so I cleaned it off and it seems to be working fine now .Only a few stops in between cuts but I figure that it must be because its also is on a water table. I can live with it like it is .Thanks for all the help it has definitely been a learning experience. thanks again
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