Starfire Chinese THC issue

[joenusz]

Hello all, I just bought a used Smart Cut 2200 Chinese 3 axis plasma CNC. The Z axis was working, but now I can't get it to work at all and I cannot get the machine to pierce automatically. I am making it work by running it in demo mode, manually adjusting height, and manually triggering the plasma cutter. I have done a ton of research to try to figure it out before asking, but I don't read Mandarin so what's available to me is limited lol.

Hardware:
SF-2100CT Controller
SF-HC25J2 THC controller
Huawei Hi Cut 80 plasma cutter
Disassembled THC controller, no burnt/exploded/smelly components - all in good order
No burnt/smelly wires
Note: X and Y axis working perfectly, but they run off different boxes than THC and arc in/out signal

Wiring and voltage:
Arc input was wired into 1:1 slot from factory
Verified 100+v at arc input when triggering plasma manually
Verified 24v at the THC controller from power supply
Verified continuity from THC arc out to plasma cutter - zero voltage when commanding pierce
Verified continuity to Z axis motor and limit switch
Verified continuity across limit switch when triggered
Verified 24v applied directly to motor causes clean up/down movement

Software:
Persistent COM ERR message on controller
I did fiddle with settings, maybe it's a software issue?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[weldguy]

Forget about the z axis and THC for now and focus on getting the XY to move through a pattern and turn the torch on/off as needed.

My guess is that fiddling with the settings is what triggered your recent issues. Are you able to go back through and try to recall the settings you messed with? You could always write down or screenshot all the current settings in case you need to go back to them and then look for a "Load Default Settings" option somewhere.

What is the COM ERR you are seeing?

[joenusz]

Thank you for the quick reply! I've looked though all the menus for a restore default with no luck. I tried removing the CR2032 battery and microSD card from the main controller as well to force a restore, but that didn't work.

Something interesting, I notice that my THC software version says 0.0 while others' pictures on this forum have actual numbers for their version. I've tried to find the STARFCNC.EXE file to upgrade THC according to the manual but I can't find it. In desperation I emailed the Starfire Chinese office so we will see.

My THC controller runs the Z axis and pierce commands on my machine. All XY operations are handled by two other boxes and they work great. Programs hang on commands like pierce, torch up, and torch down. I think the COM ERR is with the THC controller, now I'm suspecting somehow I corrupted the software in the main controller for it. If anybody has a copy you'd be a life saver.

[acourtjester]

Here are 2 manuals that my help, you can enlarge the pages by using the + box in the lower right.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://hkw222a86-pic42.websiteonline.c ... F-H25G.pdf
and the install guide for Mach3 operations
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/sf ... /252253146
These may not be the exact model but should work to give you some info
I would say the problem is in the THC module as it drives the Z motor, It is not a stepper type motor. Since the THC is running with raw ARC volts be careful. It looks like it used a Mach 3 type software so the signals may be the same for the setup.
Here is a video from a past PS post where he is setting up the Z drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_cJlMh ... 27smancave

[joenusz]

Looking into this info now, thank you. I'll report back

[joenusz]

I've decided this thing is a lost cause unless I buy a new controller and/or THC module. I'm more inclined to put money into a new system with good support instead of this thing. I would like to keep the Huawei Hi Cut 80 cutter and sell the table - does anyone have a suggestion on a new XYZ table? I need a suggestion on software as well for custom designs. The Chinese controller parts library is ok for now, but I don't even want to try something like software uploads with it. Thanks all!

[weldguy]

There are a lot of good affordable tables available. What sort of budget are you working with? What size table did you want?

As for design software, do you plan to do more artistic stuff or more mechanical type parts?

[joenusz]

There are a lot of good affordable tables available. What sort of budget are you working with? What size table did you want?

As for design software, do you plan to do more artistic stuff or more mechanical type parts?

Hello! I'll probably be in the $2500-3000 range when I get there. I'll keep the Huawei plasma cutter to keep all the money going to the table. I make deck cable railing that is routinely 36-48", I'd love a table I could program and knock out a stack of tubing automatically and not have to reposition.

I found a Chinese THC module an Ali for $120 shipped so I ordered it to try to save the table and help with resale value when the time comes. I would say I would be in market in maybe 6-9 months for a new unit. I'm not afraid of used if there is good online support, I'm handy enough to repair most things.

[weldguy]

For your tubing application a THC is not really even needed. I suspect you will be able to get by with that you have and if you can get a THC to work with it that would be a bonus.

[4130metalworks]

what is your current table like mechanically? could you upgrade the controller and z axis ?

[joenusz]

Mechanically XY are great. I ordered a new THC so I could attempt to get Z back, and more importantly have arc signal too. I'm manually triggering the cutter while running in demo mode to make it work for now.