New from Indiana

[aaron868400]

Hey everyone. I'm new to CNC plasma cutting. I recently purchased a 2016 Star Labs 4x8 table with Hypertherm PowerMax85. It was a little bit older table but had never been used before. Guy was offering it for a great deal so I couldn't pass it up. Had the table for about 3 months now and have been working out a variety off issues with it. The FeatherTouch 01 and Table I/O board were bad. Got those replaced and then was unable to get THC to work due to a bad DTHC-IV card. I did make several cuts and get some experience with SheetCam settings. I decided to send it out for upgrades since the windows computer kept saying "Missing Operating system", also. Got the unit back yesterday so will be setting up the new Linux computer and CommandCNC this weekend. Also just picked up several sheets of steel. Hoping to have some parts cut in the next few days.

Thanks for all the great files and knowledgeable people on this forum!! It has all ready helped a ton!

-Aaron

[plasmanewbie]

Welcome Aaron. Hopefully you can get up and running soon, sounds like your on track. Good luck!

[acourtjester]

Welcome aboard, start with small things, after your are sure things are working fine, then pedal to the metal. You did not say if this is a business or hobby type.

[aaron868400]

Thanks!
I am planning to use it for both hobby and business. Once I get comfortable with using the system and software I would like to use the table for a small home business. I have a 2 and a half car garage so the operation will not be huge but I would like it to pay for itself and help me grow my shop.

I have been working on the table till late last night. Still having some issues. The zaxis DRO is not changing when I jog the z axis. And despite working correctly the the HUB tool the DTHCV does not seem to be working right in the CommandCNC program. Not really sure what is up right now.

[acourtjester]

I would communicate with CandCNC you may have a software version issue or still a wiring problems. Are you saying the Z will move using the Jog key but does not display movement on the Z DRO. Since you said it basically was a non functioning table when you bought it, there still may be other underlying problems. These will get worked out with help, just keep plugging along and asking questions. Where are you located there may be a member close who could do a look see with you. I have attached a simple diagram of signal flow to give you a picture how things are hooked up. Just remember most here started with little or no knowledge about CNC operations. There are no volcano or virgins involved,

[aaron868400]

Thanks for the reply! I have managed to get things sorted out after talking with Matt at Star Labs. I was sent a Config profile and somehow in the process of trying to figure things out I had moved the CommandCNC License to the profile folder so it was not being recognized. Thus causing things to work but not work right. I have made a few cuts today and things are going well. Working on cut quality and learning CommandCNC right now. Thanks again for the help! This forum is all ready a great resource to me!