Randomly will not cut holes in programs - SOLVED

I’ve experienced this same issue as well on a few occasions! Pierced and lead in on holes, but no actual hole cut. No errors either. And it had just cut the holes correctly in the part before it. Checked code and its definitely calling for a hole to be cut. Seems to be an issue on the Langmuir end. @langmuir-mike, I sent an email about this same issue a few days ago… Any chance you saw that? (Request 26773)

Can you please post your g-code file here so that we can take a look cutting on Monday?

Thanks!

Here is my file in case its helpful. It happened on the part pictured above starting at line 973-1089. Wild Oak Awning Brackets.tap (18.4 KB)

I will run some stuff tomorrow and when it does it I will post it up so you can see also I am running sheetcam what are you running @golferguy17?

Maybe sheetcam to fire control has something corrupt?

Also if you go back and re path it sometimes it takes a few tries but you can get it to cut the holes just make sure you keep your zero point and just scroll through the g code till you get to the hole and have it run from there

Was able to cut this hole Friday after changing the lead In and first try this morning it did not work I will post the g code as soon as my mobile hot spot gets in

@cblanchard811 please see my response in this thread (Machine torch randomly raises). I think it is what is causing your issue. Basically you will be flashing the THC firmware V1.06 which should solve your issue.

Thanks!
Mike

@langmuir-mike updated to 1.06 cut the same program first time it worked second time no joy … it did seem however to cut more of the hole but than stopped and moved on also I do not get any sort of error message when this is happening it just moves along as it was programmed that way

@cblanchard811 can you attach that g-code file here?

Thanks!

2 inch square tube clamp.tap (2.0 KB) this should be it @langmuir-mike

@cblanchard811 & @golferguy17

We did some testing today and we were able to replicate this issue. It’s caused by continuity between the DC ground in the USB motion control board and the AC ground of the power supply (the power supply case). It’s caused by the same issue we highlight in the below forum thread i.e. one of the mounting nuts rubbing through to the ground plane of the PCB. Fortunately the fix is quick and easy! Let us know if you have any questions.

https://forum.langmuirsystems.com/t/lower-than-expected-thc-voltage-readings-20-30v-and-how-to-fix-it/7950

Thanks @langmuir-mike I will do the repairs first thing tomorrow and report back!! You guys are doing an amazing job by the way keep up the good work!!

@langmuir-mike Just checked back into this thread to comment that I had this issue happen again last night. I followed the steps above and had no continuity between any of the nuts on the pcb and the usb housing. I did that test before running my parts last night, so I’m thinking it’s something else causing the issue for me…

So far it has only happened when cutting fairly small holes (5/16"-1/2") with a perpendicular lead in.

Should I isolate the nuts with plastic washers anyway just to be safe?

@golferguy17 I have had it happen to bigger holes like 1-1/2 and I’m using an arc lead in and out I’m gonna check my board tomorrow and may just isolate as a precaution also did you do the THC 1.06 version? I did it today and no changes… I’m wondering what we have in common that we are seeing this? I’m running solid edg for cad and sheet cam A miller 875 spectrum and an HP laptop how about you?

@cblanchard811 I’m having a hard time seeing how it could just be the nuts that need isolating, when it’s entirely possible the threads on the screw could be contacting the board as well…

I haven’t done 1.06 today. Been busy with other things. I do think it will help an issue I had yesterday where the program set 104v for smart voltage on a cut an immediately started ramping up to 156v before I was able to stop the program. (rapid upward z movement after a few loops).

I’m running Solidworks Premium for CAD and Sheetcam for CAM. I’ve got a Hypertherm 65 and a few year old dell laptop that is used solely to run firecontrol at the table itself ($500ish, so nothing fancy at all).

@golferguy17 the V1.06 firmware will fix the issue that you’re seeing.

@cblanchard811 There are basically two grounding situations that can cause issues.

1.) The first is if the USB ground has continuity to AC power supply ground. This will cause the issue that you’re seeing where it will randomly give up on a hole and move to next cut loop. To check this, check for continuity between the USB plug shield and one of the 4 mounting screws for the Power Supply (picture below). Make sure that your electronics power cord is plugged into the box and that your USB cable is plugged into your computer when conducting these tests.

2.) The second potential issue is if USB ground has continuity to the machine frame (which then has continuity to the plasma cutter through the work clamp). This will result in lower than expected or bad THC voltage readings. To check this, check for continuity between the USB plug shield and the machine slat bed.

Ok @langmuir-mike @golferguy17 I checked all 4 nuts and screws and no continuity between them And the usb housing… I do have continuity between the work clamp and the usb housing and alll I read was to check it it does not say weather it is supposed to have continuity or not

Thanks @cblanchard811 see my post above when you get a chance!

We’re trying to understand where the continuity is coming from since your USB board is isolated. Can you try the following:

  1. Unplug the USB cable and check continuity between the USB port on the electronics box and the work clamp of your plasma cutter. If there is no continuity, plug the USB cable back into the electronics box and the computer.
  2. Unplug the THC cable and check for continuity between the USB port on the electronics box and the work clamp.

Note that the USB ground should NEVER have continuity to either the AC ground (power supply case and the electronics enclosure sheet metal) or the machine frame/work clamp.

Also another relevant question for @cblanchard811 @chowpay @golferguy17 Are you running a PC or a Laptop?

@langmuir-daniel @langmuir-mike @golferguy17
Ok update on what I have found and done so far there was continuity between the ac power supply and usb housing we have remedied that by making a stand off as pictured

Where we are having issues with continuity is from the usb housing to the work clamp via the THC cable