CNC Plasma controller upgrade

[bensplasmaau]

Good morning all,

I have a home built Plasma table, it currently runs a UCCNC and Neuron THC. So far it has worked, but the documentation on the Neuron is not the best. The owner of the company is definitely contactable and helpful, but he is in Ukraine and it s just hard to find a time zone that works with both of us. Also every 2 hours or so, it resets itself and loses conenection over the Ethernet.

The Neuron THC connects directly into the UCNC application and you can change the voltage required via using the tool/cut charts in UCNC. So this is useful. I had run a CandCNC Dragon Ethercut with DTHC IV previously and although it kind of worked, it had many reliability issues regardless of following their instructions to the letter. Also if I had an issue their only suggestions seemed to be to return the unit for rebuild, or I was the cause of the error and was treated like an idiot. I am in Australia, they are in the US.

What was really good about the CandCNC controller was that you could set your required voltage directly from Sheetcam with the post processor and the SheetCAM tool library. No need to select a tool from Mach3.

So I was thinking of doing an upgrade to a MASSO controller and Proma THC in an attempt to get some better support and a more reliable system. Can someone tell me a little bit more about the PROMA THC. Can it be programmed to act like the CandCNC and enable the voltage to be set from the post? I ve read a lot about it, but nothing like this. Perhaps I have missed it along the way.

 

[Ross]

Can someone tell me a little bit more about the PROMA THC. Can it be programmed to act like the CandCNC and enable the voltage to be set from the post? I ve read a lot about it, but nothing like this. Perhaps I have missed it along the way.

PROMA THC 150 only reads voltage and ark start and works up/down signals.

That is fed to Masso which controls the Z movement, once ark ok is detected.

PROMA THC 150 Can't do any more than that!

Just need to read their manual and see if you like it or not!

Ross.

 

[breezy]

Ben,

Also look at Ross' video setting up Proma

Proma THC150 settings for Masso Plasma

Regards,

Arie.

 

[lilow]

@bensplasmaau.

I'd like to answer your many questions.

I have studied UCCNC , Neuron THC, Price , all these controls plus Tom Caudles CnCNC, USBCNC, Mach3, lets keep going with it.

I found, was told about Masso.

The early version G2, would not work with anything thrown at it.

It has taken the last 5 months to pin a THC down to work with the G3.

This was designed and built by myself.

Masso G3 does work with THC, but there is a problem.

Masso does not know about it.

I read about an article regarding any THC setup on a site like CNCzone or another of how the Up / Down signals should be set in the configuration file.

Masso works, but it takes a lot of work and luck.

Do not expect anything back as they don't know this stuff, period.

Talk to Ross on this forum, he has Proma working.

Cheers.

 

[ae_mike]

I also have a home built table, 2' x 4' using a Masso G2 with a Proma THC150. With the original code that was delivered with my Masso, there were some issues with the THC, you couldn't turn the Z axis control speed slow enough and the THC was unstable. That was fixed before I had my table fully operational early last year. Since that code change, my only complaint with the controller for plasma has been the pause whenever a M code is called (THC on/off). I've just found out that there is another code change coming for plasma that will eliminate this pause. In the short term, Ross modified his post processor such that the THC is no longer turned off for basically any radius cut. I haven't tested that myself as yet, hopefully this weekend and I'll see a decrease in dross at those radius corners.

The Proma has worked fine but as you have heard/read, the only way to change the voltage is to manually change it on its front panel. That hasn't been an issue for me as I cut primarily 12/14g mild steel plate. I've changed my voltage once since starting up my machine. I would agree with you that having a THC that would have program controlable voltage would be a nice upgrade and something I would consider if there was a good solution but I haven't gone looking for it so no idea what might be available and worth make a change to my table.

I have had zero controller related failures in just more than a year, I for one are very happy with my choice of using the Masso with the Proma. The THC could be better but for me it works fine.

My 2 cents,

Michael

 

[Ross]

I also don't have failures, but i still check everything 3 times, then hesitate on the cycle start button.

Then say to myself "push the button"

My biggest worry is burning through an electrode so i swap out once it's burnt a 1.5 mm divot. Have no idea how far you can go on the P80 consumables.

Ross.

 

[pburgh]

Hi All,
I know this post hasn't been active for a while, but has anyone started using the Masso DTHC module yet? If so, what is your take on it and how it works. I also have a CandCnC Bladerunner system and wanted to look into something more modern and which supported Fusion 360.
Thanks for any info.

Doug

 

[jacques]

Hi Doug,
We are using the Masso DTHC with a G3. Still learning a lot regarding plasma cutting. So far it is going good, just having a small issue with the auto detect voltage on thin plates.
Jacques

 

[breezy]

but has anyone started using the Masso DTHC module yet

I just answered this same question for a Support client.

There are a couple of current videos on our YouTube site showing plasma setups.

The second video is from a OEM manufacturer using Touch G3.

 

[lilow]

pburgh
but has anyone started using the Masso DTHC module yet
Yes, I am working with the Masso DTHC, but it is Fibre Laser sensing head stage as well as for both machine Tig welding and Plasma cutting.
It was to configure the differences between the DTHC and my own THC / Arc Voltage control in these situations.
So far the results are not conclusive, but appear to enact the same precision voltages.
Cheers.