plasma torch touch and breakaway

[jcoldon]

question can the torch touch in put also be used as the torch collision input (torch breakaway) after torch fires
I could add a relay on the torch fire output to switch it .
the reason this would allow the use of the round spring mount that would allow torch touch then switch to torch breakaway
the icnc does this in there controller I don't know if this can be dun now or not
I posted this in the feature suggestion also
I ask this im getting ready to offer people a ready wired masso plasma and thc with motors ready to go. I need to get things right
or ill never hear the end of it. then I have to test it to. it be some time and want to put features in the box no one has .

 

[masso-support]

We already have a Torch Breakaway signal input available in MASSO, further there is also input available ARC OK signal, please see the below list from the MASSO Plasma setup screen

 

[jcoldon]

I know that there is a in put for each that's not what I asked
what I asked is there a way to use the same input for torch touch then it switches to torch breakaway when the torch fires then back again
it would allow the use of the torch holder I posted below

 

[buschbwbusch]

If u are more interested in using the same switch for different purposes instead of having to mount and wire another switch.. u could potentially just share the signal to the other input and maybe have one active high and the other active low. Toggling switches in software can get glitchy as computer code unlike g-code does not wait for a command to execute and move to the next command so easily. U jumper wire may solve ur problem as is.

 

[jcoldon]

if I wired it that way the high and low on the same sensor wont work when torch touch is active .torch breakway will get active
what im asking does not involve G codes. the output to fire the torch would get tied to a switch. then switch between torch touch. switch active on torch fire sensor on torch mount goes in torch breakaway mode this does not require a G code
with this setup you will not need a magnetic breakaway mount in the event of torch crash

 

[buschbwbusch]

I understand about it not being in G-Code. My question now would be though wouldn't you want the break away switch to work at anypoint. So if the torch comes down and the arc does not fire and it crashed into your part and breaks away you would want that to work as well? So in an ideal world how would the logic work.

2. Ohmic sensor gets near material and tells masso to fire arc
3. Masso fires arc (output triggers relay)
4 Arc is detected (sends input to masso) machine starts moving>

If at anytime the torch is to breakaway stop movement? Do you have a secondary device doing the THC? I do not work for Masso...this stuff just interested me greatly and I have a bit of experience with building machinery and various controls. Also, you never know when a question someone else is asking will lead to a great idea/solution to a problem.

 

[masso-support]

I guess we can have an option in the MASSO settings to use the torch touch and torch breakaway signals together, so that you can enable this option as required and when doing a touch we know its suppose to be a touch signal and after that it acts as a breakaway alarm.

 

[jcoldon]

Buschbwbusch I think you re missing the operation
1 torch lowered the switch does torch touch. using the mount proxy sensors
2 torch fires torch touch changes to Torch collision. Same proxy sensors are now torch collision sensors
The proxy sensors wire NC it can t fail crash the torch. Unless there is a controller problem
Now you mentioned ohmic touch. No one should be running ohmic touch with out a backup torch touch switch. This is what hypertherm does in there setup a backup switch to ohmic
To prevent the torch Driven in to the table. Rust dirt and paint will prevent contact
Yes it would be nice to have an ohmic sensor input
There are also not many ohmic sensors out there to use.
You would have to make one with a water switch . Or use the cand cnc one adapt it I have dun that also.
Using omic you also should protect the input of the controller to prevent torch voltage from the tip should it short using a relay or opto.
Thanks jeff c hope this helps

 

[buschbwbusch]

Proma makes an ohmic sensor that works inline with most step dir controls. If u have intertherm u can get ohmic cap for plasma. I guess I don t quite understand the utility of ur setup yet.Is it a teachable prox that will move the Z up and down if metal is warped or moves during cutting? I have built cnc plasma tables and understand how they work. Truly though they are usually pretty underpowered with small steppers so damaging a torch is unlikely even with a crash. However the proma makes cutting things like corrugated metal possible. I would recommend a water spray to keep fumes down though it works quite well.

 

[masso-support]

Adding an ohmic touch signal to the MASSO software can be done easily. From the electronics side of things is there anything special required about this setup, how is it generally done?

 

[buschbwbusch]

Redirect Notice

goo.gl

 

[masso-support]

That PROMA model actually controls the Z axis motor directly but in case of MASSO the motor control signals are sent by MASSO and we just need to send the up and down signals to MASSO.

 

[jcoldon]

buschbwbusch I not sure where your seeing proma has an ohmic touch. proma is a torch height controller

The proma 150 with arc ok and up down work with the masso. no need for the proma SD .the price THC would work fine also as well as others. Ohmic touch is a hyperherm term. The torch has a special cap that senses the ohm reading when touching the steel and would give a simple closer of a relay to the masso. it would get wired to the torch touch input . Some have made one with the water switch. Cand cnc has one that can be adapted .there also a neuron unit and others. Anyone using ohmic touch should have a backup torch slide switch. To prevent the torch from driving in to the table and breaking something on the torch. Masso does not have an dual input for this to use an ohmic. And a backup torch slide input doing the same . there is only a torch touch input and a torch breakaway input . That s why I suggested an second input for a torch slide or torch touch. that changes to a torch breakaway once the torch fires or the torch moves.

1 it would have less wires to do two things on 1 input.

2 there would still be another torch touch input you could wire an ohmic touch sensor to.

Ohmic touch is used when cutting thin gauge steel so the torch would just lightly touch the steel and not flex it. If the steel is painted or rusted and it fails to connect the torch will drive itself in to the table there for needing a backup switch.

I don't know what you running for a z axis. my z runs a Nema 34 motor and will drive the torch in to the table with no problem and break something. so there a backup switch and a magnet breakaway to protect my hypertherm 85 torch setups like this are very common in the us right now. I running a Mach 4 system with all this and a custom plasma screen that has this .

I now have a masso plasma controller. I wireing a full controller to do all the plasma features I have several people wanting one. but have no idea how to wire one . So I need to get it right. wire it right shield it with an enclose and test it or I never hear the end of it .if it does not work right. it seems to have all the features needed to run a medium duty table. Since there very little plasma information to go on with masso almost no YouTube videos. I need to prove it works just as good as other controllers I wire. The torch mount I posted a pic of some people want them that s why I suggested the input recommendation. Things like this would set the masso apart of the other controllers for plasma. A torch height controller would be a nice option also not to have to use another brand. And have an external pot input to change voltage and another to change speed

Thanks Jeff c hope this helps understand what I am saying

 

[masso-support]

jcoldon, so to get your machine running what information do you need next from us.

 

[jcoldon]

I have all the information I need I was just suggesting the input that's all. I am good just watting on all the parts to arrive

to build the plasma controller then I will test it make some videos how I works I only post a reply because buschbwbusch seamed confused about ohmic touch verses proma THC .

thanks jeff coldon