I have finally got my Pro assembled and filled with A&H mixed into the water with a bit of food coloring to boot.
I have a drawing for a part in 2D in .dxf, but have not yet converted it to run etc. Not sure exactly what part of Fusion 360 I need. I prefer to continue to draw in AutoCAD 2D and then run the .dxf into whatever other software I need to get the “G” code.
But for now, I went to the File Share and downloaded the Turd file to use as a test. It runs as a dry test, the complete part and the Fire Control follows the cut on the screen. Tonight I got my PrimeWeld CUT60 hooked up and I’m using their CNC torch head setup.
The THC goes down and touches off on the 16ga CR that I have for testing and then goes up and the torch fires, but immediately shuts off without moving.
I went into Torch On mode and held down the job button and hit the torch fire button. I was able to cut for about 8" until I ran out of room and metal. So, it appears my torch is functioning correctly and will work as it should.
I don’t want to waist time with a download that is messed up without the correct delay settings etc.
Any ideas where I should start? Is there better software out there than Fusion 360 for just post processing a .dwg drawing?
“Not sure exactly what part of Fusion 360 I need.” If you’ve downloaded F360, what you need is there on the “Manufacture” tab for post processing (G Code), but you still need to download the correct post processor from Langmuir and then make it available to F360. Then you also have to create your PW60 machine setup.
Try using the “Straight Line” cut feature in the lower left part of Firecontrol and see how that goes before starting to diagnose. Easy to generate and run a few quick line tests.
What air pressure are you running: at the cutter; and at the torch? Primeweld says 90psi to the cutter. Try 70psi at the torch regulator.
Warning is, “Torch Moving Before Sensing Voltage” or something to that effect.
I set up an 8" straight cut to the right X plan and it cut just fine. I tried the POOP file again and it just shut off after it fires. When I RESET from the warning, the torch moves back about 1/4" to the zero point. So it is moving just a bit during the short arc firing.
As far as the delay in the “G” code, don’t have a clue, it’s all Greek to me on the screen.
I’m going to try to get my Relay Mount 2D .dxf drawing into a “G” code tonight and see how it works.
Since the straight-line manual cut works, I have to assume I have no EMI issues etc.
I appreciate all the replies. I’ll look into sheet cam. Fusion 360 draws a lot the same as AutoCAD, another Autodesk program. I’m just SO comfortable with 2D drawing in AutoCAD, I’ll stick with that for now. You know, old dog new tricks!
Thanks again for the help so far. Hopefully I won’t be a newbie for long…
That poop emoji file has a pierce delay of .9 seconds and a program speed of 200 IPM. That delay is very long for 16 ga steel. You could be getting the error because the torch burns out before moving.
You could also be having issues with torch height, if the torch holder is mounted too high in the Z axis carriage. When you jog the torch down to touch the material, it should still have the ability to go lower so it can properly trip the IHS switch. If it bottom out before touching the material, it will never work correctly.
Been trying different downloads and still have the same issue, blows the pierce hole and quits the arc. It moves about 1/4" and stops traveling.
Now it seems to not even blow the piercing hole. But I can still do a straight line cut and I can turn on the torch and jog to cut as well.
I’m assuming I’m doing something stupid and just not setting this rig up correctly. The tutorials make some assumptions on the part of the operator, but they don’t know me apparently…
How do I get back to basics and crawl before I walk etc?
Honestly. Leave fire share alone. Draw up some basic shape small circles and squares. When you can them out you can learn the settings you machine wants.
Okay everyone, I went back to basics and I made a mistake very early on.
Watching the video of the guy setting up his PrimeWeld CUT60 and soldering in the 1-2 and 4-6 leads, he said that polarity made no difference… BUT it does.
I went into manual mode and it fired and cut, but the LIVE voltage read 0. Then I read the POP UP WARNING that comes up and there was three possibilities. Number three was a reversal of the lead for live voltage.
I had the red wire soldered to the 6 pin and the black wire soldered to the 4 pin, just back asswards. Well I had a 50/50 chance and I lost.
I resoldered them the correct polarity and it cuts fine now.
Thanks for all the input and suggestions. Too bad I miss led you with a pre-existing issue of my doing…
I’ve been looking at the Fusion 360 and still having issues with the post cut path portion. Sheetcam looks easier to use and a full program is tons cheaper than the Fusion 360 full program.
I read somewhere that 360 limits the lines of “G” code. Not sure how complicated of a part it would take to be over the limit of the FREE 360.
Anyone using Sheetcam and can explain which might be better for an old guy to learn?
I haven’t ever used sheetcam. Heard lots of good things about it.
$140 is a great deal. But comparing the two is an apples and oranges comparison. Fusion is a powerful CAD and CAM program. Sheetcam is a CAM program only.
Fusion has way more than you need for 2d plasma but it is a great tool if you can figure it out.
The drawing portion of 360 is very similar to the 2D AutoCAD I’ve used for over 29 years. So drawing in 360 is not really a problem. But I would still prefer to use AutoCAD to do my 2D drawings and THEN run the post processing for the tool path.
I’m just bogged down with the setup of the plasma tool and when to do this or that in 360. Sheetcam video looked a bit easier to use, but don’t know that for sure.
I may try the free Sheetcam on simple parts and see how easy and intuitive it is.
