Test run plasma

[stressless]

Is there any way to do a test run of G-code but not starting the plasma torch? Sometimes i will cut aluminium or stainless stell 10mm thick or more. And i want to do test runs just to verify. Since these sheets are quite expensive.

Edited: I find the masso not well adapted for use with plasma. So i went and bought proma myplasm system. Much more adopted for plasma, and interface is night and day in comparison. I might build me a lathe or mill with my 5-axis masso, but probably will sell it. So if someone knows anyone in Northern Europe looking for a 5-axis masso at half price don hesitate to tips me

 

[zombieengineer]

@stressless

I am trying to understand how you could do a test run for a plasma cutter as one of the key parameters is the torch height control which requires the plasma torch to be lit.

The only thing that comes to mind (probably over-engineered) is a marker pen attached to a linear pot with a spring. The linear pot is connected to a comparator circuit which emulates the THC.

You would run your program and hopefully it draws out your design on the metal plate. Once you are happy everything is working, remove the pen from the torch head and flip the inputs back to the actual THC.

 

[fablab]

If I understand correctly, what Stressless is trying to do is just verify the are no major errors in the G-Code (wrong shape, wont fit on the plate, Etc.) if that is the case all I do is invert the arc OK in the F1 screen and leave the plasma cutter off, Down & dirty but it works...

 

[zombieengineer]

Attached is a quick diagram of a "constant pressure pen" for a plasma cutter.

 

[jcoldon]

It called a dry run i do it all the time in my uccnc .on special cutting just to check

in masso case turn off arc ok and torch power it do it

 

[stressless]

Tanks for the good replies. If i want to pause the program during running (change nozzle etc) Do i just hit esc or do i hit the emergency off switch?

 

[Ross]

Quote from Stressless on April 10, 2021, 7:53 pm

Tanks for the good replies. If i want to pause the program during running (change nozzle etc) Do i just hit esc or do i hit the emergency off switch?

Don't do any of those things cause it will be hard to resume your cutting!

There is a free hold function that would be best used for this. Just be sure to turn off your plasma when changing the consumables, Best to short the plasma tip to the job so not to get a shock from any stored electricity.

Link to this video shows the freehold that i use. (3:10 into Beer Sign video)

From Ross.

Search results for query: cnc-videos-show-me-what-you-got/

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