THC 150 Post & Sheetcam

[buckmaster1967]

Hello,

Trying to get my plasma to fire on my homemade table. My setup consist of a 11'x6' water table, Everlast 60S plasma, Long 1600 motors. The table works great. Now I am trying to get the plasma to fire. I download and insert the Plasma POST Processor with THC file from here. Drew a simple circle in Inkscape, saved it as a DXF file. Opened it in the Sheetcam with the Post installed. After turning the file into a .TAP file with Sheetcam. I test in in Cam0tics (http://camotics.org/) I get an message, can't run, to many errors. Without the POST installed in Sheetcam, it runs fine. Any help be appropriated,

 

[masso-support]

as a test can you please try some other POST such as mach3 and see if that also gives errors.

 

[buckmaster1967]

Very sorry, tried to delete this post last night. It was a bad program. I reinstalled it and now it works. The torch will fire, but Z axis stays in home position. Don't think the THC 150 is working. Just got home from work, wrote a few simple programs in Sheetcam to try. WITHOUT a doubt, the issues I am having in ALL me. I am learning from scratch about G-code, CNC ect.... I built a vehicle before I could drive. SO much to learn. Thank you for your time to reply.

 

[masso-support]

not a problem, thanks for letting us know.

 

[buckmaster1967]

I have two issues. The first is Masso controller green Ready light will not light up. When the system boots up, the red Error light blinks till boot is complete and stays on till I hit the Shop button and release it. Then the red light goes off, but the green Ready light never come on.

The second issue is that the Proma THC 150. I have it wired with 7 volts. It lights up, and can push the buttons to test it. But when the plasma is on, the THC just has --- bars on the display. I thought maybe it was not getting the arc reading from the plasma. So I rewired it, coming straight off the the leads in the front of the plasma. Getting full reading now going into the bottom of the THC, but still getting --- on the display. Shut it own for the night to try posting it here. Any help or advise would be appreciated.

 

[jcoldon]

you need to read your proma manual plasma voltage from the proma requires 50 to 1 . or raw voltage to read make sure the polarity is right raw voltage the ground is positive

 

[buckmaster1967]

YES! Discovered I had the feed wire crossed from the plasma. Got it to light and cut (YEA!) but the Z will run up and down as it cuts, losing arc because of the raise of the head. I am sure it,s something I have wrong. What really worry me is the Green Ready light never coming on.

 

[jcoldon]

you did not say what plasma cutter you have my guess not a hypertherm . most likely your voltage is not right

hear what you do turn the thc off meaning the up down inputs . i dont know if masso has no thc off button ?

cut a line at cut height watch the voltage reading on your proma. assuming all your cut tips are good that is the voltage you want to cut that steel and dry air

the voltage is different for every type and thickness steel and torch tip sizes and cut speeds and dry air and air pressure

this is were hypertherm shines they have charts with all this information you will need this to get perefact cuts and voltage settings for thc

 

[buckmaster1967]

Thanks. Everlast 60s plasma cutter. I purchased and installed clip on Ferrite rings all over my cables. Helped a lot. Got it to cut, except the Z axel (torch) moving up and down in about a 1.5" range. Of course eventually loosing arc. All my cables are 18/4 shield strand wire. I am sure it's something I am doing wrong. Very thankful for the imput of this sight.

 

[masso-support]

we have added some logic to improve the PROMA 150 response, can email you the software update, whats the controller serial number?

 

[buckmaster1967]

Thanks, got it working but still a few issues. my ser number is ( 5A-2383)

 

[masso-support]

@buckmaster1967 software emailed, please try and provide your feedback.



what issues are you facing?

 

[buckmaster1967]

Thank you. The update helped, but my THC 150 does not work as for as keeping a consistent gap. The table cuts great, but just acts as if there is no THC. The wires are connected as the manul direct. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[buckmaster1967]

I came to the conclusion that the Everlast cutter is my largest issue. Believe I will purchase a Hypertherm Powermax 65 0r 45 plasma cutter. Will purchasing the Hypertherm Powermax 65 cutter hurt me on cutting tight cuts, on thin metal? like cutting out letters and number on 16 gauge metal? Or should I go Hypertherm Powermax 45 plasma cutter? My table is 6' x 11', most cuts will be with 3/8" and down to 1/16". Just don't want to buy short AGAIN.

 

[masso-support]

@buckmaster1967 so do the LED's on the PROMA change when you are cutting?

 

[buckmaster1967]

Quote from MASSO Support on March 18, 2019, 12:18 am

@buckmaster1967 so do the LED's on the PROMA change when you are cutting?

Yes, the lights are on, the voltage on the screen of the Proma changes like it's working, but the head never change and will hit the warped metal.

 

[masso-support]

in your gcode are you using M667 to enable THC?



I think we should lock a time to do some tests over the phone and go through all the settings.

 

[buckmaster1967]

Thank you. Lets hold off. I ordered a Hypertherm powermax 45 XP cutter yesterday. I believe most of my issues is coming from my old Everlast 60S cutter. I will report back to you with an update once I get the new cutter up and running.