Need to get THC working
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Need to get THC working
I've had my table up and running for awhile now, I bought the THC with it but I've never gotten it working.
The table is a ProCut CNC table with their electronics package. Basically a G540 with ESS and cheap ass Proma THC.
The THC is and has been wired in the entire time. While cutting Mach3 sees the commands from the THC (The light looking things on the mach screen light up for up / down) but it never moves the torch.
Not sure what more info you guys will need to help me but any help is greatly appreciated. Would have been really nice to have on all my 6ft long cuts today, I've got some cuts coming up that will be almost 10ft and really need to get this working.
The table is a ProCut CNC table with their electronics package. Basically a G540 with ESS and cheap ass Proma THC.
The THC is and has been wired in the entire time. While cutting Mach3 sees the commands from the THC (The light looking things on the mach screen light up for up / down) but it never moves the torch.
Not sure what more info you guys will need to help me but any help is greatly appreciated. Would have been really nice to have on all my 6ft long cuts today, I've got some cuts coming up that will be almost 10ft and really need to get this working.
-
- 5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 3087
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:18 pm
- Location: North Carolina
Re: Need to get THC working
Proma is the manufacturer.......they would be the best source for help...
Jim Hypertherm
Jim Hypertherm
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Re: Need to get THC working
I did email Proma, I just threw it up here as well to see if anybody else had any ideas. I'm assuming its a Mach3 setting that I have wrong.jimcolt wrote:Proma is the manufacturer.......they would be the best source for help...
Jim Hypertherm
- acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8163
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: Need to get THC working
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Re: Need to get THC working
Mine isn't exactly like that but THC on or off right there makes no difference. I'll post of some screen shots later.
-
- 4 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 1513
- Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:47 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
There are specific settings in the ESS config you have to get right as well. Your table vendor should be able to help you make it all work together.
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Re: Need to get THC working
I've been trying to get it figure out with them for a while...That's why I came here. No reply from Proma either.tcaudle wrote:There are specific settings in the ESS config you have to get right as well. Your table vendor should be able to help you make it all work together.
Getting really close to just ordering one from CandCNC.
- acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8163
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: Need to get THC working
That is what I did, bought the MP3100 with feather touch and am very happy with it.
the Proma worked OK when it was operational but crapped out and they replaced it, did it again they replaced it now its on the shelf.
go with CandCNC works great with my DIY table.
the Proma worked OK when it was operational but crapped out and they replaced it, did it again they replaced it now its on the shelf.
go with CandCNC works great with my DIY table.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2014 10:30 pm
- Location: Germany
Re: Need to get THC working
Hey,
in Mach3, under PluginControl, you have a config page of the ESS.
There is a chekbox to enable THC.
Look at this Video, @ 4:30 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcc02mS3xk
Also make sure, you have the actually ESS Plugin!
Marcel
in Mach3, under PluginControl, you have a config page of the ESS.
There is a chekbox to enable THC.
Look at this Video, @ 4:30 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcc02mS3xk
Also make sure, you have the actually ESS Plugin!
Marcel
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Re: Need to get THC working
Will check it out in the morning! Thanks for the tipmatze-atze-sch wrote:Hey,
in Mach3, under PluginControl, you have a config page of the ESS.
There is a chekbox to enable THC.
Look at this Video, @ 4:30 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcc02mS3xk
Also make sure, you have the actually ESS Plugin!
Marcel
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:59 am
Re: Need to get THC working
Thanks man! That did it! The THC box wasn't checked in the ESS config!matze-atze-sch wrote:Hey,
in Mach3, under PluginControl, you have a config page of the ESS.
There is a chekbox to enable THC.
Look at this Video, @ 4:30 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcc02mS3xk
Also make sure, you have the actually ESS Plugin!
Marcel
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2014 10:30 pm
- Location: Germany
Re: Need to get THC working
Hey,
yeah, I needed also a few days, until I seen this
yeah, I needed also a few days, until I seen this
-
- 1.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:35 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
I'm not all that happy with my Proma lately. I was cutting this weekend, and anytime I changed a part in my torch, or the settings on my Proma, it would drive the tip into the metal as I was cutting. I'm still not sure what I did wrong, or what the Proma did wrong. I ended up cutting the last piece without using the THC.
Really frustrated. Business is starting to pick up for me, and I need to get this resolved. Is there a THC out there that is more reliable that won't break the bank? What I really wish I had is one of the THCs that will verify the height with each new pierce. Is that in the THC or in Mach 3?
Somebody help a noob!!!
Really frustrated. Business is starting to pick up for me, and I need to get this resolved. Is there a THC out there that is more reliable that won't break the bank? What I really wish I had is one of the THCs that will verify the height with each new pierce. Is that in the THC or in Mach 3?
Somebody help a noob!!!
Eagle Plasma 4x4
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
- acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8163
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: Need to get THC working
Are you using a floating head for the torch??
There is a routine that will touch the metal surface at the beginning of each cut.
There is a routine that will touch the metal surface at the beginning of each cut.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2014 10:30 pm
- Location: Germany
Re: Need to get THC working
Hey johnnybravo,
when drive the torch into the metal? In the middle of a cut, or at the beginning?
Have you cheked the settings in mach3? There you can change the Speed of the THC, maybe it´s too fast?
You can set in the Proma a delay after the torch fired, so you can touch the metal, go to pirce hight, fire the torch and go to cut height,
drive the lead in and then activate the THC.
when drive the torch into the metal? In the middle of a cut, or at the beginning?
Have you cheked the settings in mach3? There you can change the Speed of the THC, maybe it´s too fast?
You can set in the Proma a delay after the torch fired, so you can touch the metal, go to pirce hight, fire the torch and go to cut height,
drive the lead in and then activate the THC.
-
- 1.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:35 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
Awesome! I'm going to have to check all of that out.
Another thing I noticed is that my torch is not 100% perpendicular to the metal. I'm not using a machine torch. How much will that affect it?
Another thing I noticed is that my torch is not 100% perpendicular to the metal. I'm not using a machine torch. How much will that affect it?
Eagle Plasma 4x4
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
-
- 1.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:35 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
Yes, I have the floating head.
And it has been just going down from the peirce height, continuing to go down while cutting.
And it has been just going down from the peirce height, continuing to go down while cutting.
Eagle Plasma 4x4
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
-
- 2 Star Member
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 11:23 am
Re: Need to get THC working
I am not familiar with the Proma THC, but I had the diving issue with my initial startup. I had to reset my monitored cut voltage higher to get the torch to move up to match the voltage. Once it (set voltage) was set high enough the torch moved to the proper height.
As for touch-off you could try one of the MP1000-thc posts inside Sheetcam. They are setup for floating heads with switch offsets. You can set them to pierce at each cut also.
Good Luck
Mike
As for touch-off you could try one of the MP1000-thc posts inside Sheetcam. They are setup for floating heads with switch offsets. You can set them to pierce at each cut also.
Good Luck
Mike
- acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8163
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: Need to get THC working
To the question on the torch being perpendicular you need to correct that as the cut will have an angler shape in the direction it is off, in both directions. If you cut a square 2 sides will be OK and 2 side will be slanted, this is if cutting straight on X and Y directions.
Now to clarify the THC problem of the torch diving
Is it happening at the start, (torch goes to pierce height, lights, drops to cut height) does it continue to drop at this point. Or dose it dive after it has moved away from the start of the cut, somewhere away from the start.
Now to clarify the THC problem of the torch diving
Is it happening at the start, (torch goes to pierce height, lights, drops to cut height) does it continue to drop at this point. Or dose it dive after it has moved away from the start of the cut, somewhere away from the start.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
-
- 1.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:35 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
As far as I can tell it begins diving as soon as it pierces. I suspect that it is looking for a voltage it cannot find and I need to adjust it?
And thank you for the input in the perpendicularity. I think that might be part of another problem I am having.
And thank you for the input in the perpendicularity. I think that might be part of another problem I am having.
Eagle Plasma 4x4
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
-
- 1.5 Star Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2014 10:30 pm
- Location: Germany
Re: Need to get THC working
Try to turn the THC in Mach3 off, an then make a test cut.
Then notice the Voltage on the THC. I think, it isn´t set correctly.
Have you connect the THC correctly to the Hypertherm?
The THC has an build-in voltage divider, the Powermax also. Maybe that is the Problem?
Then notice the Voltage on the THC. I think, it isn´t set correctly.
Have you connect the THC correctly to the Hypertherm?
The THC has an build-in voltage divider, the Powermax also. Maybe that is the Problem?
- acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8163
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: Need to get THC working
the Proma has a delay in the setup you may try to change it is the D-T (second step in the setup menu) it has from .1 to 9.9 seconds. This is to hold the THC off until the voltage stabilizes. page 7 in their manual.
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
-
- 1.5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:35 pm
Re: Need to get THC working
Sorry I have taken so long to get back on this thread. Lot of stuff going on.
Anyway, I found that the settings on my THC were not correct. I'm still not 100% sure I have it where I want it, but it's passable now, and I don't want to start a whole new round of troubleshooting right now as I have a mountain of stuff to get done.
But probably the most significant issue that I found was the perpendicularity issue. Holy cats! I can't believe I was running like that for as long as I was! It was one of those Aha! moments where, once I thought about it for a moment it was pretty dang obvious.
If your torch is not perpendicular, then you are not getting consistent pre-heat on the leading edge in every direction. this was the cause of a lot of incomplete cuts! Man!!! I wish I had a machine torch now, but I just can't spend the money on one right this minute. But it sure would solve the perpendicularity issues.
Anyway, I found that the settings on my THC were not correct. I'm still not 100% sure I have it where I want it, but it's passable now, and I don't want to start a whole new round of troubleshooting right now as I have a mountain of stuff to get done.
But probably the most significant issue that I found was the perpendicularity issue. Holy cats! I can't believe I was running like that for as long as I was! It was one of those Aha! moments where, once I thought about it for a moment it was pretty dang obvious.
If your torch is not perpendicular, then you are not getting consistent pre-heat on the leading edge in every direction. this was the cause of a lot of incomplete cuts! Man!!! I wish I had a machine torch now, but I just can't spend the money on one right this minute. But it sure would solve the perpendicularity issues.
Eagle Plasma 4x4
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3
Hypertherm Powermax 45
Miller Maxstar 150 SL
Corel draw 7, Inkscape, Qcad, Sheetcam, Mach 3