???
Wading through those waters now! (with my life-vest on)
Ok, Cool stuff at least judging from the bits of coding I could actually follow. So I figure for starters, I should import the second one ( Mach3 plasma with TWSZ_THC.scpos) into sheetcam and insert my probe switch backlash in mm (measured 3.4mm)?
I thought I had left it without multiplying by scale factor, in which case it would be whatever units you’re working in. If it’s multiplied by scalefactor, then, yes, native units are mm.
Ok, will double check that before entry.
Here’s what I’ve got going on after I put in the switch offset.
I load the G-code
I home the machine, I zero all axes. Move the machine to X, Y coordinates I want to start from. I run the code, Z flies up and hits the top limit switch (I figure I need to enter another homing offset somewhere in the code). So, I try again with a little fudge, this time i deliberately, jog the z down a bit and re-zero. When i run, z goes up some, stops and starts trying to probe, I hit the probing sw manually and it accepts that, then i think it says calibrating z after moving x and y … thats all I got.
Obviously I need to configure a bunch of other offsets within the post somewhere, making sense?
Trying to grasp all that stuff now. 
I work at a hospital also and have had similar complaints…best answer is…
“Chinese…really…that is not an option it comes with…you did a real ggod one on it”
or
“unfortunately the settings are now fixed…you have to learn Chinese…it was on page 849 in small print at the bottom of the warranty…”
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Unfortunately I had to play nice, cause I got a bid in for a couple ECG machines a Defib and two sets of LED OR lighting Systems, and I wann win those!
Now, Tom I think is trying to get an old, hardware fart like myself to learn programming 
BTW Which hospital? Do we supply you guys with any stuff (Avante Medical, Louisville, KY)? I’m Engineering Director - Caribbean
Yeah, darn that “someone” 
Which G-Code? I don’t see any G-Code here… Tough to say why Z ‘flies up’ without seeing the instructions it’s getting…
My Bad, My Bad.
Just Got it figured! 
- I should have input the sw offset in MM
- The z was moving in the wrong direction, mis-wiring from the THC
All good at this stage now. …it probes and runs the gcode just fine.
That actually runs pretty darned SWEET!
Think I have a flaky Axis Drive unit, it keeps shutting down at random intervals. moved it around and changed settings appropriately, and it’s the same one that conks out. Luckily they’re inexpensive, so just ordered a couple.
EDIT
Fails within 2-mins of power on now, both LEDs off
Hi Tom:
So far so good. Torch should be here tomorrow. Will play with settings in THC3T then.
Couple questions:
-
Should Safe Z not be in Work coordinates as opposed to Machine coordinates so as to lift the torch say x-inches above the job? What’s the rationale for using Machine coordinates for this?
-
Referring to the G-code attached, what’s generating that “Z1.5000” at say N0220 G01 Z1.5000 and other lines further down?
Corner Gusset 2 inch_pair2.tap (1.9 KB)
The work coordinates will be changed every time you do a G92 Z… The Machine coordinates won’t. I want my Safe Z clearance immutable…
Dunno. Probably your rapid clearance setting in SheetCam. Options->Job->Material…
Ahhh, yes. Got it! Thank you!
I made a hand-torch holder from Schedule 40 PVC pipe and attached it to the z-axis last night.
Going in a bit to collect the machine torch. Shipping MIA to Trinidad + duty and taxes US$43, not bad I think.
Looks like just one challenge remains:
CUT60 set to 30A, fired the torch, the THC divider board is seeing like 1.6v coming from the 50:1 output pins 4 and 6 of the CUT60 plasma machine (I confirmed this with my voltmeter right at the divider board terminals) but the THC readout is saying P008 (polarity is correct). So, out comes my variable DC power supply, and I apply 1.6Vdc to those terminals and I get a reading of P080. Something really daffy prevails, will try moving the divider board and put it next to the CUT60 tonight. Then, maybe, the Plasma Gods will smile on me!!
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Moved the board out of the cabinet, and placed it very close to the plasma unit. Same tests and results as above. even tried different DIP switch positions just for giggles and that did not help.
out of curiosity, I placed a 220uF cap across the terminals and the initial result was the same with torch on, but as the torch went off, the numbers jumped up briefly to what was expected and quickly ramped down as the 220uf cap discharged. I now suspect that whatever signal/noise processing is in this board, it may be defective. I will send this info to the manufacturer. One other experiment I will try, is inputting the raw plasma arc voltage (hate that idea) and see what gives. Tom, any ideas??
One shred of good news is that I now have the machine Torch in-hand.
That’s what I would recommend. I use the full voltage and it works well for me. I haven’t seen it go over 140-150V and that’s after I finish a cutout and the piece falls in the water, creating a very large gap. Nominal voltages for me are 88-105V.
One thing that might be messing things up is your grounding the table. This may be bleeding off some of the voltage that would go back to the monitoring circuit. Call it a WAG…
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Here’s the latest results form this long journey!
Divider board outside of enclosure, next to the plasma cutter. Amps set to 60, Raw Arc Voltage out of CUT60 pins 5 and 7 into appropriate terminals on divider board, I am seeing between P029 to P045 volts. Something is definitely very wonky here!
BTW George, The new Machine Torch is pretty cool! …thanks!