Starfire Torch Height Controller Help

[RichardDieselUK]

Firstly, I havent posted much but this forum has been really helpful and spurred me on to create some awesome stuff.

Now I have a Starfire Torch Height controller.

I'm confused at how to set the initial height and cut height for the torch height controller.

Nowhere can I see where to input a measurement.
I can only set the torch up time and Z axis speed and work it out from distance=speed*time.
Is this normal? and can anyone point me in the direction of some guidance.

thank you

[weldguy]

What is the model # of your Starfire controller?

[RichardDieselUK]

Hello, It refers to itself at SF-2100-C

Can get pics if needed, its less than a year old

[acourtjester]

did you get the "Starfire SF-HC25K THC Plasma Automatic Torch Height Controller"
https://cnc-warehouse.com/product/starf ... ontroller/

[RichardDieselUK]

Hello,

Yes thats the model.
Also I have the controller: https://cnc-warehouse.com/product/plasm ... -sf-2100c/

Here is a list of all the settings I have.
Start Speed (mm/min)
Acc Time (S)
Acceleration (S)
G00 Move Speed (mm/min)
Demo/Back Speed (mm/min)
Spd Tran Angle
Corner Radius (mm)
Small Arc Limit (mm/min)
Limited Speed below Radius (mm)

Position Check (0/1)
Position Up Time (s)
Torch Up Time (M70) (s)
Torch Down Time (M71)(s)
Watch Arc Enable (0/1)
Arcing Time Check (S)
Pierce Time (S)
Arc Off Delay Time (s)
Time to Lock THC (mm)
Distance to Lock THC (mm)
Speed to lock THC (mm/min)
Distance to Off arc before end of cutting (mm)
Distance to Lock THC before end of cutting (mm)

Thc Enable (1)/ Disable (1)
Dead Band Voltage (0.1-10.0V)
THC Arc voltage Adjust (1-255)
Sensitivity (1-10)
Manual Up/Down Speed
Cutting Up/Down Speed
IHS Speed
Zero Low Enable (0)/High Enable (1)
Limit+ Low Enable (0)/High Enable (
Limit- Low Enable (0)/High Enable (

Also see attached images.

20230216_213542.jpg

20230216_204422.jpg

20230216_204417.jpg

20230216_204412.jpg

20230216_204407.jpg

[acourtjester]

You can use the Hypertherm manual to get a chart with a ballpark settings for the material you are cutting. Looking at the list and screen shots you have there are places to enter in some of the numbers, what they want to make it operation may need a few entries. There a few I would start with like enable set to 1, THC arc voltage, sensitivity, Pierce time, and arc off delay time ( for loss of arc). It seem their controller and software may not look at the G-code for info to fill these values, similar to LinuxCNC QTPlasmaC, which these are in a material list you select when starting a cut operation. Other like Mach or UCCNC software they look in the G-code for them and SheetCam plans are where they are selected to be put in the G-code. Good Luck

[RichardDieselUK]

Where I'm at right now is the thc lifts the z axis to the moon as soon as cutting starts and holds it there.
Tried altering arc voltage up and down to no avail.
See attached image.

20230219_122217.jpg

[Dingo74536]

Try the sensitivity adjustment.
This guy did a whole install etc on this THC so he might give you some ideas

[acourtjester]

have you switch the up/down (THC) signals to the BOB, It sounds like the Z is move the wrong direction and the correction movement is saying you are not there yet and tells it go more.

[Dingo74536]

I am still waiting for one of these THC's to arrive, so I have not used it yet, but the guy in the video has a full how to pdf that you can download that details everything that he did to get it working with his plasma cutter and Mach3.
Here is his link to the pdf https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event= ... _cJlMhwqmY

[weldguy]

Try Toms suggestion for sure, that could be the case. Also have you checked that you are getting the voltage you expect from the plasma cutter? Does it use divided or raw arc voltage?

[RichardDieselUK]

Progress!

Thanks for replies.
I don't think thc motor is wired wrong way as you can jog it with the controller up and down correctly.
Also the initial height sensing operation works correctly.

Done loads of fiddling.

What seems to have made a difference is I put the 'speed to lock thc = 0.'
Then knocked target voltage down to 75! At 20a 1mm steel.
It comes down to something sensible and will cut.

I'm taking raw voltage via multimeter leads basically from earth and brass connector going to torch. Bad idea?
Tried putting a meter against it which running and it won't arc up.
The machine is a plasmargon 50a. Same as the guy has in that video. But since he was using a voltage divider and ended up fiddling with the ratios not sure I can use what he set it to.

Anyone else use that machine?

20230222_211235.jpg

[acourtjester]

I did not say the motor wire were wrong, but the signal wire from the THC the tell the motor to move which way. If you want to go down and the sign is flipped the motor will go up.

[RichardDieselUK]

I did not say the motor wire were wrong, but the signal wire from the THC the tell the motor to move which way. If you want to go down and the sign is flipped the motor will go up.

Ah ok, still something I need to explore, but I think it is moving correctly up and down over warped material.
thanks

[RichardDieselUK]

here is my board for reference

c774b97dd5097b58a1e877ec08bd172c.jpg

[weldguy]

I'm taking raw voltage via multimeter leads basically from earth and brass connector going to torch. Bad idea?
Tried putting a meter against it which running and it won't arc up.
The machine is a plasmargon 50a. Same as the guy has in that video. But since he was using a voltage divider and ended up fiddling with the ratios not sure I can use what he set it to.

Anyone else use that machine?

20230222_211235.jpg

Glad you are having success. I am not familiar with your plasma cutter but if you are getting a raw voltage signal and THC is functioning then I would say your doing good.

Now that it is working don't hesitate to change your arc voltage set point to alter your cutting height and get it to where it is cutting best. A lower voltage set point will give you a lower cutting height and a higher set point will increase your cutting height. Whenever you change amperage, material thickness, cutting speed, etc you need to find that perfect arc voltage value that delivers the proper cut height. Good luck and have fun.

[acourtjester]

Richard What I an trying to have you see is signals for moving can come from different sources. The G-code and keyboard can send signals through the BOB from there inputs. THC can also send signals though the BOB from the pin you select. But if they do not match expectations are not met. A simple thing to do is just switch the 2 pin inputs as a test, if the problem changes that was it, if it does not switch them back.