SheetCAM, TM4400, and plate marker

[jlasater]

My TorchMate 4400 machine came with the optional plate marker attachment. I found a document about how to add it to the Torchmate CAD/CAM software but I'm not using that, and the instructions were pretty complicated. I'm using QCAD and SheetCAM. Still getting familiarized with SheetCAM...does the plate marker attachment need a completely different post-processor selected when it's used, or just a different tool selected? I see Plate marker as one of the types of tools available. If I'm going to cut a part and engrave it at the same time, do I use layers for that, with one layer for each operation?

[jlasater]

Found this vid:

...thinking out loud, I'm thinking the Torchmate VMD2 post-processor that is working properly for regular plasma cutting should have the g-code options (definitions, whatever it is) to also handle the optional plate marker. So...looking at that guys video, I take the part from CAD into SheetCAM, click various parts and seperate them onto layers, set up tools (plasma and separately plate marker), associate each layer with the correct tool, and the resulting file should run properly.

I took the plate marker off the machine while troubleshooting various motion functions, but would like to get it usable for making score marks for folds and whatnot.

He separated the inside cuts and outside cuts into separate layers. Is that necessary? I understand why that's required for different tool types, but I would think you could keep all the cuts on the same layer/operation.

Ok...I think the two layers are necessary for how the CAM software compensates for the cut (internal or external)...figuring it out as I go.

[djreiswig]

The same post can be used for both functions, but it needs the specific code for the marker tool.
You shouldn't need to separate the inside and outside cuts. SheetCam should apply the correct kerf offset to each one. The only reason you would want to is if you want to apply different parameters to each, like slowing the speed or applying different cut rules or something.

[alaskasmitty]

It has to be given its own tool path. It needs to be changed to online. You must pick different tool and sequence operation before plasma cut. The feed rate speed is much slower, less than 30ipm. So basically you will have 2 separate tool paths but on same g code program.

[tcaudle]

The POST has to be able to do some things to use it in the same JOB:
1. There has to be a Plate Marker TOOL defined in the Toolset in SheetCAM
2 The POST has to be able to see the new tool and switch the OFFSET from the center of the plasma to the center of the marker. There needs to be XY and (possibly Z) defined offsets in the POST.
3 You probably need a different OUTPUT / M code call to activate the Plate marker and move it down.
4 Your POST then needs to cancel all of that and go back to plasma settings

As noted, plate marker is done ONLINE and in its own Layer and OPERATION .

All of our SheetCAM plasma POSTs support mixed Plasma and Plate marker with our Toolsets for SheetCAM.

If you are using the TM4400 controls and software , not sure how that will work and what M codes you will have to use