I read about the EMI issues, and my laptop does have an aluminum housing. I’ve tried plugging it in as well to ground it but it didnt make a difference.
I don’t know if this has any value in this discussion but here it is:
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Thanks @ChelanJim
So, I got out my 10 year old Windows laptop and downloaded the compatibility version of FireControl and boom, it cut like butter. I won’t be able to run it on the Windows computer long term but at least we solved the problem. Looks like Mac compatibility is a ways off at the moment. Or I may be able to try one of the ferrite loops to block the EMI.
POS 10 year old Windows laptop - 1
Brand new top of the line Macbook - 0
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+100%
These commercials drove all the nails into Apple’s coffin for me.
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I am running roughly the same Macbook. Is that the power supply for it in the picture? Does that have a ground prong? My apple factory one does not and it works fine plugged in but if it has a ground try running the computer off of batteries. Have you done a continuity test between your USB shell and the table? Also, a picture of the left side of your table setup would be helpful. Looking for cable management that leads to EMI. I’m feeling pretty confident that’s where your issues are.
Jim,
This is a different issue. I was involved with this one while it was happening. The computer would not connect at all to the table.
I understand your point. Lots of variables still unanswered.
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Hey y’all, thanks for alerting me to this!
There are known compatibility issues with Mac devices equipped with Apple Silicon processors (colloquially M1/M2 chips). You can find more info in the PSA that @ChelanJim linked to previously.
Unfortunately, development tools and information about these processors has been slow to reach smaller software developers like us. We’re working on making FireControl run as consistently as possible on these devices, but unless Apple provides a way for smaller developers to gain access to the necessary tools and information for developing for these processors, there’s going to be some bumps along the way. Apologies!
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@deadred What usb cable are you using? I run an intel MacBook on my table with no issues but have never tried my new MacBook with the M2 chip due to there being no USB and only USB-C port.
My experience with that was the M1 works fine, you were having trouble connecting to intel based Macs. His problem sounds like the old fashioned EMI issues not a connection issue.
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Hey Scott,
There are no known compatibility issues with Intel-based Mac devices.
The comment that I was tagged in was in regards to Mac compatibility, so I wanted to provide clarification in that regard. Apologies for any confusion!
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The connectivity issues for Intel based have been sorted out with recent releases. Thx
So my Macbook is the M1 silicon chip running Ventura 13.0. The wall plug in that it uses does not have a ground prong in it. The Mac only has USB-C connections so when i connect it to the tables USB I have to use a USB to USB-C adapter. Could that be where the problems coming from? If you need a better picture please let me know and I’ll get you what you need. The computer connects to it fine and I can send it commands, its just when I start to cut something complex and the plasma turns on that it doesn’t complete the tool path.
As far as the rest of my wires I have my divided voltage wire and the torch on/off wire coming down from the plasma there on top of the shelf and down to the box. and the rest I’ve attempted to tuck up underneath next to the control box. I took the panel off so the setup would be a little easier to discern. The plasma, table, and the compressor are all on their own individual dedicated circuits. Thank you all I really appreacite your input and help on these issues!
I’m using the one that came with the table but I had to attach a USB-C adapter to it so that I could use it with this Mac. I actually don’t mind using the old Windows computer but it’s just so slow that projects take a lot longer to load, etc. and it gets a little cumbersome after a while.
Haha! Well, I resisted the Macs for a LONG time because I always thought they were overpriced. But the last few years I’ve gotten into some music and video production and I finally had to bite the bullet. I will say I definitely miss the Windows setup every day. Theres just a lot of little things that Windows still does better in my opinion.
Also, almost all of the software I use for music and video had to be re-vamped for the Apple M1 chips so I’m no stranger to those issues. When I bought it though I didnt realize what a pain all that would be to deal with software-wise. Thanks so much for your help!
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Macbooks work fine for this. I have been using it since the beginning of my plasma journey.
I’m doing the same thing with the USB C adapter. Your cable management looks fine to me except I wonder if you should bring that torch on/off cable around the back of the machine so you don’t cross the torch lead and work clamp cables.
How about the continuity test between the USB shell and the table? This is not a Mac problem per se.
Thanks for helping me handle this issue everyone. I’ve got it set up with windows now and I’m moved the cables so that they’re as far away as possible from my PC. It was definitely the electromagnetic interference from the plasma that was causing the problem.
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Thanks for posting what the fix was!