Plasma Rebuild with Promo THC, touch off / initial Zeroing of plasma torch sequence

[lacee]

Hello All,

First post on the Masso forum. I am currently in the process of rebuilding my 6'X10' plasma/route unit. My unit also has the alternate 4th axis coupled for rotary cutting. I have chosen (for now) to use the Promo 150 THC. I have been unable to find any information on how the start/touch-off for the plasma torch tip occurs.

1. Is there a build-in sequence in Masso for this feature?
   
2. Any specific Masso input assignment required for the THC and or the TIP touch down switch & offset configuration
   
3. How is anyone accomplishing their initial Zero for the Z-Axis with a Promo 150 THC
   
4. Anyone actually has setup and using some other THC other than the Promo 150 such as the Price unit.
   
5. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
   

On an additional topic, anyone set up and using a Thermal Dynamics A80 Plasma unit controlled by their Masso? I would be intrested in any wiring and control experience one might be willing to share on this subject as well.



Thanks in advance,

Lacee

 

[masso-support]

please see this https://www.masso.com.au/forums/topic/still-need-help-with-the-proma-thc/

 

[lacee]

Quote from MASSO Support on August 20, 2019, 11:15 pm

please see this https://www.masso.com.au/forums/topic/still-need-help-with-the-proma-thc/

Masso Support,

Am I to assume that there is NO built-in or function ability to accomplish the task of initial Zero or touch off for a plasma torch.

In general, upon the Homing of the machine and before any cut thereafter the controller would initiate a Z-Axis controlled speed of a down movement until a secondary slide limit switch is made by the plasma torch hitting the piece to be cut indicating a specific known height of the tip of the torch touching to the piece to be cut at that specific point. The routine would then reverse the torch a given preset (adjustable) travel where the torch would be fired and the cut commences. This routine would be repeated upon all subsequent cuts. In effect establishing a New Z-Zero or known offset for any new cut. As an option, it might be a very good idea to have this routine selectable to execute only once per cut or every cut.

I await your reply / thoughts

 

[breezy]

@lacee

Don't know much about Plasma machines, but my understanding is that every time the torch moves to a new position it should "re-zero" to allow for warpage in the metal sheet due to previous cuts. Also the system needs to detect changes in height in the sheet as it is cutting.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[lacee]

Quote from Breezy on August 22, 2019, 11:17 am

@lacee

Don't know much about Plasma machines, but my understanding is that every time the torch moves to a new position it should "re-zero" to allow for warpage in the metal sheet due to previous cuts. Also the system needs to detect changes in height in the sheet as it is cutting.

Regards,

Arie.

Breezy,

That is correct according to how my plasma previously operated and all other plasmas that I have witnessed. My point is that either the Masso does not provide this routine or I have failed to find it up to this point. I plan to complete the wiring this week and run a small sample test program to determine what if anything occurs.

Thanks for the feedback,

Lacee

 

[breezy]

Lacee,

Search the forum for plasma and you'll get 7 pages of results, look at the topic author and see how many times they have posted and ask them if they can help.

There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum in regards to plasma routers, you just need to get them to tune into this topic to get the answers that you seek.

Some that come to mind are @ross, @cncburn, @machinedude

Also have you read Z axis design for PLASMA (Torch Height Control) THC control

Regards,

Arie.

 

[Ross]

Lacee.

The Masso does every thing for you when the torch goes down it does a touch off then Z zero from the G-code and it raises to pierce height ( set your height in the F4 screen)

It will then fire and Masso gets a signal from the height controller for ark OK "if no fire the Masso will show NO ARK OK" wait for the air flow to stop from the plasma before pressing start again it should fire and run. The main reason for a misfire is water in the head of the cutter "no you can't see it but believe me their is water. My 2kg of desiccant only l,1/2 weeks than needs to be dried for reuse. I'm in the proceeds of a full build of a water separator system.

The Masso post processor for Sheetcam should have all the codes for the Z axis, (turn on/off THC when needed) Feed rate add on for Z axis when THC is on)

Just remember to Ground every moving part on the table to a star point next to the table leg (DON'T DAISY CHAIN), Shield and choke all wiring around the control box including power with ferrite beads.

Plasma lead has to be 150mm from all other wiring if possible.

Watch my videos on YouTube to see my progress under "Ross Woolley".

From Ross.

 

[derekmccoy]

Quote from Ross on August 24, 2019, 11:09 am

The Masso does every thing for you when the torch goes down it does a touch off then Z zero from the G-code and it raises to pierce height ( set your height in the F4 screen)

How does Masso know when the torch has made contact with the steel? Are you using an ohmic sensor or does the Proma THC know?

 

[Ross]

Ether of these will do the job to trigger the torch touch in Masso.

From Ross.

 

[derekmccoy]

Thanks for that Ross, but I'm not exactly sure what those are. Is the top a switch?

 

[Ross]

It's a after market car bonnet switch, it has to be insulated and have no contact with any metal parts. I used plastic washers and some pvc tubing over the thread for this.

The other is a sensor switch, same type as used for homing.

 

[derekmccoy]

I see, pretty simple then. I've watched your youtube videos by the way. If I can retrofit this old table I have here to something close to your setup, I'd be very happy. Cheers.