Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

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eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Ok
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Hello David,

I finally had a break through getting a reply from an engineer at axxon who manufacture design all these cards and cables.

They also supply plasmacam and other companies.

As you have 3 machines running 3.11 successfully could you take some screen shots of from the settings.

So I can compare and set our machine up correctly as we were never shown just guessing.

Thanks
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

I'm not running 3.11. I am using Design Edge 4.xx. Let me know what materials you are cutting and I can give you some information about the setting I use.
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Ok thanks
Just 2mm mild steel plate
Mac
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by Mac »

I am looking to buy a new computer, is the only connection from the control unit to the plasma cutter, that works is a parallel card?
Thanks
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Yes that's what I was told by plasmacam
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Mac wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:52 pm I am looking to buy a new computer, is the only connection from the control unit to the plasma cutter, that works is a parallel card?
Thanks
Here is the suggested minimum PC configuration:

Pentium 4, 3.0 GHz or equivalent/faster PC is recommended.
(Laptops are not recommended due to their common port problems.)
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7 or 8 installed.
DVD ROM drive and 10 GB free hard disk space.

Standard bi-directional EPP or PS/2 mode (5V preferred) parallel port - dedicated strictly for controlling the PlasmaCAM cutting table. A true physical parallel port is required (not a USB to parallel converter, for example).

IEEE 1284 compliant parallel port cable (optimum length is 6 foot).
A 3-button mouse is recommended (or mouse with wheel configured as middle button when pressed).

The suggested/recommended parallel port card is the Axiom brand which can be purchased from Axiom or Plasmacam. I have had very good luck with the StarTech parallel cards - I have them in all 3 of my Plasmacam control computers and have not had any communication problems.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Por ... 7X0Z8?th=1
StarTech Parallel Card.jpg

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eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

David and any users here is a question and may need to be posted in another forum.

My friend who owns the plasmacam machine was rushed to hospital and needed a PACE MAKER fitted to his heart.

Now he has been told he can no longer use a welder the plasma cutter or anything which emits frequency.

Question Is:

There must be away around this and surely he is not the only one.

Perhaps a lead coat ???

Look forward to these replys

Darryl & Gregg

Australia
adbuch
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Looks like your friend is out of luck. No more plasma cutting, unless he can get someone else to do it. He could still do it as long as he stays far enough away from the plasma cutter - i.e. in another room watching via video camera. You can do a Google search to find out exactly how the magnetic fields for particular machines (plasma cutters, welders, etc.) are attenuated as a function of distance.
David

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/ ... pacemakers
Pacemaker Interference.jpg

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eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Thanks

Thats what I said video camera.
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Or maybe he can have you run the machine for him. Not sure how far away he needs to be to avoid the EMI.
David
Last edited by adbuch on Thu Jun 11, 2020 8:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Even the specialist did not know
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Hello David,

Have a new question for you or any user that I could not find the answer.

25 pin parallel cable which pins supply the 5 volts to controller and what do the other pins do.

We seem to go 3 steps forward and 5 back wards .

Darryl & Gregg
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Why do you ask? For the standard configuration, none of the pins would supply 5V to the controller. The parallel card has it's own regulated 5V supply, and the controller also has its own internal power supply. The output of the data pins would be either +5V for a logic "1", or 0V for logic zero. Here is the pin out.
David
Centroincs Parallel Port Connectors.jpg

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eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

I found a card in Australia the same specs as axxim for $30 Its worth a try and the supplier tech asked me
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Make sure it is a 5V card for compatibility with the Plasmacam controller.
David
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Yes it is
Thanks
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

Hello David,

Now the plasma controller has stopped working when trying to use it manually.

Have reset everything no luck.

Could it be something inside causing the issue.

Darryl & Gregg
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

Do you mean that the Jog buttons and other buttons on the controller keypad don't work? If so, can you still initialize the machine and move the table using some of the commands from the computer? Will it still cut a part? If your answer is yes to all of the above, then you may have a faulty controller keypad. You can order a replacement directly from Plasmacam.
David

control panel

Control panel is faceplate of controller. Includes buttons, power switch and metal backplate. Can be carefully replaced if deteriorated or malfunctioning, without opening controller so warranty is not voided.
Part #: 2-527
Cost: $89.00
20200613_005328_resized.jpg

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eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

None of the buttons work
Just another set back for us.

Thanks

Darryl &Gregg
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

But can you initialize your machine?
adbuch
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

You can use your machine without the keypad until you get a new one - if that is the problem.
David
eagle6052

Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by eagle6052 »

No computer not communicating with controller very iratic only some functions.

Go to and when it initialize it does not go all the way home.

I also suspect the round computer type plug to controller from actual cnc could be faulty.

Not sure you can buy this but I think I can get a plug in Australia.

I hope you are sitting down.

Control panel $89.00 US
Freight $155.81 US
Total $344.81

This is what we are up against not being local in US.
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

The "round plug" connects the controller to the plasma cutter for monitoring the arc voltage and triggering the torch. Even with that cable disconnected, the controller keypad should still function properly.
David
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Re: Plasmacam cable from control unit to the plasma cutter

Post by adbuch »

If it attempts to initialize and does not go to home position, you may have a defective limit switch. Under these circumstances you should receive an error message on the computer screen.
David
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