Delayed arc start

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yseguy
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Delayed arc start

Post by yseguy »

I have a 4x4 ezxy cnc (local manufacturer) plasma tavle with an Everlast 60s plasma cutter. The cut quality is fine but Im having problems with the arc start. The torch will start moving before the arc is fired and Ive been getting around this by running a half inch or longer lead in but thats not always enough and it doesn't help on cut paths where theres no room for a lead in. Ive tried the Pierce delay in sheetcam but it doesn't make any difference, its set at like 2.5 seconds and it doesn't wait any longer than if it was set at 0.1 seconds. Im running the thc1000 post processor, is there something I can change in it to add a pierce delay or wait for arc ok?
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acourtjester
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by acourtjester »

I would look at another Post Processor, one of the members here had a post about changing the pierce time to milliseconds in the post processor, he is RobertSpark.
I tried a search but could not find his post maybe he will see this and reply
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robertspark
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by robertspark »

Does your cnc controller have an ARCOK input?

You need to provide a bit more information on your controller and software please.

its easy to change the post processor / sheetcam, but I suspect that your controller may not be set up for plasma cutting and when the M3 is sent the machine will start to move without waiting for the ArcOK
robertspark
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by robertspark »

to change the units in sheetcam

Go to >> Options >> Application Options >> Units

Change "Time" from "ms" to seconds or visa versa.

Restart sheetcam and all of the Time settings will be changed to the new units and output from your post processor accordingly.
yseguy
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by yseguy »

Im not sure if my controller has an arc ok input or not, Ill open it up tonight and find out the specs on it. Thanks rob I never even thought about the units Ill check that tonight too
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acourtjester
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by acourtjester »

Thanks Robert made the change myself, interesting SheetCam just posted a new update first in a long while, at-a-boy Les :Like :Yay
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
robertspark
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by robertspark »

For plasma, the sequence of events (in simple / crude form) is suppose to be something like this:

Move to pierce location
Torch Touchoff
Move to pierce height
M3 ---- starts torch + waits for ArcOK
when arc transfers, controller receives ArcOK signal
Torch now waits the pierce duration set
Once the pierce time elapses the machine will drop to cut height
and moves off in a XY G1 / G2 / G3 motion direction (controlled feedrate)

there are other variants for puddle jump it ramp pierce and THC sample and hold etc.... but for the vast majority of simple (3x digital output) UP/DN/ArcOK torch height controllers it will be something close to the above.
robertspark
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by robertspark »

acourtjester wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:58 am Thanks Robert made the change myself, interesting SheetCam just posted a new update first in a long while, at-a-boy Les :Like :Yay
Be careful with the update.... there are a few postings on the sheetcam forum with users having issues and things changing....
Always best to give the update a bit of bedding in time before you upgrade.... especially if your setup is money related / feeds you
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acourtjester
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by acourtjester »

Thanks but I have never had a problems with upgrades, other then reloading my tools in the past but seem to have them all now OK.
Nice of you to inform with this post. :Yay
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
yseguy
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by yseguy »

Ok so I found the issue, my controller is a cheap ebay thing that doesn't have any extra inputs so I cant add an arc ok signal which explains why some parts randomly dont cut. The other issue was even though sheetcam is set to seconds mach3 reads it in ms. Thats no big deal though Ill just start programming in ms
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by plasmanewbie »

Nice easy fix :Like
robertspark
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by robertspark »

yseguy wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2019 11:59 am Ok so I found the issue, my controller is a cheap ebay thing that doesn't have any extra inputs so I cant add an arc ok signal which explains why some parts randomly dont cut. The other issue was even though sheetcam is set to seconds mach3 reads it in ms. Thats no big deal though Ill just start programming in ms

Which controller do you have (photo? name? model?)
yseguy
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by yseguy »

It doesn't have a name on it at all but there arent any spare pins
Jrod25
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Re: Delayed arc start

Post by Jrod25 »

How do you like that Ezxy unit overall ?
Did you get your problem fixed ?
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