PlasmaCam stopped working properly

[metalartetc]

I have a PlasmaCam DHC2 (I bought new from PlasmaCam back in maybe 2010?). I replaced the gantry motor w/encoder in 2018, no real issues until now. I had a humming Z motor that didn't move & got pretty hot! I changed the Z motor (after making sure old one was faulty by checking ohms). The new Z motor moves but seems a little odd & slow. When I initialize machine, it goes to its home (top left corner), no problem (except the odd movement of the Z motor). When I press "move to" or try to make a cut it moves a few inches from home & stops with an error. I also recently purchased a complete table (for parts), so I tried swapping the controller from that one, thinking that may solve the problem but now when I initialize it states that my software is incompatible with the controller (both tables are DHC2). I mean its a good idea to have a "parts" machine on the side, isn't it?
I am really bummed because I work from home (full time dad) & I am missing out on the usual Father's Day rush for the custom metal art items I create! Can someone help? I am in the Los Angeles area!

[Joe Jones]

Ask John Derby to help you. He MAY come down for a $ fee $. He lives in Granada Hills. Send him a PM or call him...

If your table is that old, I would suspect a bad main harness. All of that bending back and forth where it spills out of the boom arm will eventually take its toll.

The controller should be the same, unless you bought a DHC instead of a DHC2 table as the second table. Also, if the other table was made to run on the older "PlasmaCAM 3.xx" software, the controllers are NOT the same. Are you SURE the tables are EXACTLY the same?

The Z motor issue ... Was the old motor round, or square? Did you replace an older round motor with a new square motor?

I would certainly help you but I am in Kentucky, so I cannot get there in time to be of any use to you.

Make sure ALL 11 of your cam follower bearings rotate freely. If one or more of them are hanging up, this will cause the error message, as the motor fights to move the gantry or carriage that is binding via a bad bearing.

2010 ... FIFTEEN YEARS AGO ... Are you using the older PlasmaCAM 3.xx software on your main table, or the newer DesignEdge software? Current version is 4.57

When you connect the controllers, it will identify the controller in the ABOUT tab of DesignEdge. It will tell you what TYPE of controller you have connected to your table. There are four different types, I believe. Maybe five They are not universally interchangeable.

I sent a link to this thread, to John Derby. He might respond in time ...

Joe

[Joe Jones]

I would also suggest you post your inquiry on The Owners Community Forum, where PlasmaCam owners and their Tech Support guy can see it.

Joe

[Joe Jones]

Tell me about your software. What are you using to run your table? If it is DesignEdge, what version are you running? do you have ANY of the software upgrades purchased and activated?

Do you have the Advanced Machine Control and/or the Advanced Height Control upgrades?

Joe

[adbuch]

I have a PlasmaCam DHC2 (I bought new from PlasmaCam back in maybe 2010?). I replaced the gantry motor w/encoder in 2018, no real issues until now. I had a humming Z motor that didn't move & got pretty hot! I changed the Z motor (after making sure old one was faulty by checking ohms). The new Z motor moves but seems a little odd & slow. When I initialize machine, it goes to its home (top left corner), no problem (except the odd movement of the Z motor). When I press "move to" or try to make a cut it moves a few inches from home & stops with an error. I also recently purchased a complete table (for parts), so I tried swapping the controller from that one, thinking that may solve the problem but now when I initialize it states that my software is incompatible with the controller (both tables are DHC2). I mean its a good idea to have a "parts" machine on the side, isn't it?
I am really bummed because I work from home (full time dad) & I am missing out on the usual Father's Day rush for the custom metal art items I create! Can someone help? I am in the Los Angeles area!

It is normal for the z stepper motor to make some noise when initializing as it is being stalled as part of the routine. I would recommend cleaning and lubricating your z lead screw. What specific error message are you getting? Show us a screen shot of the message. Not all controllers are compatible with the newest version of Design Edge - assuming that is what you are using.

I would also recommend reaching out to Robert Johnson, as he is considered the defacto expert on all things Plasmacam. You can contact him thru his Learn Plasmacam Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/learnplasmacam/

learn plasmacam.jpg

Also - make sure your Z- motor settings are as shown below.

z motion.jpg

David

[adbuch]

I would also recommend joining the Plasmcam Facebook group linked to below. There are many knowledgeable members there to help you.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlasmaC ... ONOLOGICAL