Help finishing QTPlasmaC THC

[acourtjester]

I at the last point of a new install of QTPlasmaC, did a complete from scratch install. Have the newest version of QTPlasmaC using Debial 11, have Python 3 install and have hit a wall. I have been looking all over the web for info without success. I have search on the Linuxcnc site and other places no help. I think I need 2 things, name of any files I need to add that will allow me to activate the THCAD-10 board and the value in the 0V and Full scale Freq boxes on the Mesa THCAD page in Pncconf. So the info will be in the INI and Hal and maybe the custom Hal files. I am fairly sure on the Mesa card 0 Quad Enc-A should have Arc Voltage in it. Thanks in advance for any help

DeepinScreenshot_select-area_20221208144733.png (18.49 KiB) Viewed 6614 times

DeepinScreenshot_select-area_20221208144733.png (18.49 KiB) Viewed 6614 times

[Rodw]

Tom, is the light on the THCAD flashing?
Have you set the thcad jumper to 1/32?
If you connect a 9V battery to the thcad plasma inputs, does the light flash faster? It flashes in sympathy with the voltage applied
That tests the thcad

Next step is to check in halshow if the encoder velocity is sitting around your 0 volt Freq. near 3800 on average. Pin should be
hm2_7i76e.0.encoder.00.velocity
If its just stuck on 0, you need a change in your hal or you are not wired up right between the thcad and the 7i76e.

These lines should already be in there to activate the encoder..
# --- 7i76e ENCODER SETUP FOR TORCH VOLTAGE ---
setp hm2_7i76e.0.encoder.00.scale -1
setp hm2_7i76e.0.encoder.00.counter-mode 1

If voltage goes negative, change the sign of the encoder scale in hal

[Plasma-art]

The frequencies are on a calibration sticker on the back of the tchad.
Enter those vallues for 0v and full scale frequency.

Source: https://linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/pl ... mesa-thcad

Edit: Rodw probably knows more then I do

[acourtjester]

thanks for the fast replies. I was not clear in my post. I have not hooked things up yet, the controller is in my home as the WiFi don't reach the shop.
My daughter was here for a few days and she did all the install things. I had the controller hooked up on a temp mode some time back with Debian 10 and very old QTPlasmaC. Reason for the new install was to get the new QTPlasmaC. I thought there was a conversion for the values in the Pncconf setup for the THCAD-10 using a web site (my memory of the first time last year). I will unmount the board and get the numbers to enter. Rod the lines seem to be in the HAL but I think they are commented out in the custom hal, attached are the files and this image. Please have a look and let me know.

some new info on YHC.zip

(4.87 KiB) Downloaded 85 times

some new info on YHC.zip

(4.87 KiB) Downloaded 85 times

[Rodw]

Please note the 1/32 link on the thcad should be set for linuxcnc
That means you need to enter 1/32 of the full scale readings in QTPLASMAC and they are enterd Hz eg 1000x larger
So from above, the 0 volt frequency would be 121100 /32 = 3784.375 and similarly for the full scale

AS I said, please check the frequency is bouncing around near 3800 with no torch voltage. (actually 1/32 of your full scale readings)
That is the first step.
You hal seems to be set up right. If its showing a constant 0, you have a wiring fault between the thcad and th emesa card.

[acourtjester]

Thanks Rod my board is 120.3 so times 1000, then divided by 32 = 3759.3 should be entered on the page in Pncconf. Is there a file that is created by Pncconf I can look at to see if these values are correct for QTPlasmaC?
I will need to take the controller to the shop to check its function.

[Rodw]

If you use this calculator mentioned in the qtplasmac docs, it will tell you the numbers to enter.
https://jscalc.io/calc/NTr5QDX6WgMThBVb

[acourtjester]

Thanks for that, that was the conversion program I had in my memory. I just checked the machine name .pref and there was that value

[acourtjester]

Today was the test run a G-code on the table and it was successful, no plasma hooked up that comes on Monday.

[acourtjester]

Sorry Google had added a new button that I did not see to restrict viewers I have change that

[acourtjester]

Well I think my reburbed PC network output died, I see some are using these Mini PCs for their table. Question will this one do for a replacement.
KODLIX Mini PC Celeron N4020(up to 2.8GHz), DDR4 4GB/64GB eMMC Mini PC Fanless UHD 4k@60Hz, Mini Computer Support HDMI&VGA, USB3.0, 2.4/5.8G Wi-Fi, DIY NGFF 2242 SSD

[Plasma-art]

Shouldn't be a problem as long as there are drivers for the hardware and with linux I have not found alot of hardware that isn't been supported.

[acourtjester]

Up date found the problem was a wiring problem, the power supply haas a built in short circuit protection and dropped the output to that to part of the Mesa 7I76E board. This was the part that connected via ether to the PC, disconnected one of the plugs and the software problem cleared up. I will find the wiring error and move on. A few fine detail to work on and the table will be done.