Newbie. Plasma Table Refit.

G

Guest

Guest
Hi there,

My names Jeremy from New Zealand. I have recently received my Masso. I have an older FastCut plasma table(2 axis), it was running a Testra SyncroStep controller. After getting nowhere with them I decided to upgrade! So step in Masso.

Complete CNC novice, self taught, Diesel mechanic by trade, 1500mmx3000m table, Hypertherm 1650(100amps), Proma 150 THC and a 200mm Z axis = Many questions!

I have it all wired up and working. Cuts perfectly with the THC turned off. I'm currently using Sheetcam with the Masso Post Processor.

I am running into problems with the THC. After the initial height (After pierce height) it either dives or raises to high. A question I have is, does the Masso slow down the Z speed when the THC is on? Its just something I have read regarding Mach3 and others. I have spent hours playing with the voltage control on the Proma. I can get it to work but have to continually control it via the Proma during the cut.

Ill keep pluging away, but am also curious as to any other guys that have a Masso and Plasma running. What you thoughts are, any tips, etc.
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
Hi Jeremy,

Now there can by a few things that can be going wrong and we need to check each one by one to find the problem.

The first test would be to check if we are we even getting a proper signal from PROMA 150. So to test this once you wire the PROMA to the plasma unit, while doing a cut by hand or on the machine with THC off on the MASSO, we need to check that the up and down signals/LED's change on the PROMA. This will confirm that the PROMA is giving the up and down signals as these signals are used by MASSO to move the torch up or down.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Hey, thanks for the reply.

I just put the Proma in test mode. You can see the leds on the Proma light up. Going to the F1 page you can see the signals changing from L to H. Yet the Z axis doesn't move? Should the Z move when the Proma is in Test mode?
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
  1. Can you please let us know the software version you are running in MASSO.
  2. Next please goto F1-Setup screen and in the INPUTS list where you have wired the Proma signals, can you see the status change from Low to High?
 
J

jemplasma

Jem
  1. Yes
  2. Yes

When I put the Proma in 'test' mode the Masso doesnt react at all. You can see the Up, Down and Ark Ok inputs changing from low to high on the setip screen. However there is no movement from the plasma table.

So, I set the Proma to 'test' mode, cycling up, down with the Ark ok enabled. Then run a M667 (THC on) code. Hoping it would then except and use the inputs coming from the Proma. All that happens is the Z axis moves up to zero.

Is there anyway to check that the Masso is doing the correct thing or anything with the inputs from the Proma?
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
Did you try this after giving the M3 command for torch ON, because THC will only work when the torch is on.
 
J

jemplasma

Jem
Thanks for that, got it working with the test function.

I seem to be finding that the THC is turning on too soon. It is turning on while it is piecing, while the voltage is fluctuating. I think this is causing it to either dive or raise up to much.

Is there any way to delay the THC from turning on? Say, 1 second?
 
J

jemplasma

Jem
Also, another quick question. Is the Masso compatible with a KVM switch? Would really like to run a computer on the same screen using the same keyboard and mouse.



Thanks.
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
  • Can you change the gcode and have the M3 first and then M666. If you want some delay then you can also add delay after M3 using G4 command. Example: G4 P1000 will give a delay of one second.
  • Yes a KVM switch will be just fine.
 
J

jemplasma

Jem
Quote from MASSO - Support on May 21, 2018, 7:12 pm

  • Can you change the gcode and have the M3 first and then M666. If you want some delay then you can also add delay after M3 using G4 command. Example: G4 P1000 will give a delay of one second.
  • Yes a KVM switch will be just fine.
Click to expand...



I am using SheetCam with the Masso Post processor. Quick example as below. From what I understand using the 'G4 P' will delay the travel. I want the program to continue and just delay the THC from turning on. I don't know if this is possible or not?

~
N0110 G38.2 Z -150 F500.0
N0120 G92 Z0.0
N0130 G00 Z1.5000
N0140 G92 Z0.0
N0150 G00 Z4.0000
N0160 M03
N0170 G04 P500
N0180 G01 Z1.5000
N0190 X387.7724 Y382.7128 F1500.0
N0200 M667 (THC on)
N0210 G02 X387.9175 Y382.5490 I-1.4409 J-1.4232

~
Quote from DanPE85 on June 3, 2018, 11:25 am

Jeremy, where in NZ are you? I'm in Rotorua and about to start building a plasma.
Click to expand...

Hi Dan,

Im up in Auckland. What kind of plasma setup are you looking at building?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top