Hi guys, I’ve been having an issue lately where when the machine starts a pierce, it runs IHS, but instead of coming up only .15” above the plate after touching it, it actually moves up about .5 inches (i’d guess) high. The torch fires for the correct delay time at this high height, and once it starts to move, that’s when it drops down to the correct cut height. So, it’s not really piercing through during the pierce stage (10gauge) until it’s on the move and that messes up the start area of the cut.
Has anyone else had this issue? This started after I fixed that ‘loose bolt’ on the Z-Axis (different thread) and happens 100% of the time. I’m using the RazorWeld 45. Below is some G-Code from the last cut file, but it happens on all my old files where I didn’t use to have this issue. Thanks for any tips!
Is the torch actually going all the way down to the metal? If you moved the torch mount during your repair, it could be too high and the Z axis is bottoming out before the torch actually touches the metal. When the Z carriage bottoms out, it will open the IHS switch as if the torch hit the metal, but the Z zero will be too high.
I always recommend that people run the Z carriage down until there is about 1/2” to 3/4” of travel left and then lower the torch mount, so the torch touches the metal. This is the proper height for the torch mount. The Z axis needs to have additional travel after the torch touches the metal, in order for the IHS system to work correctly.
Thanks for the reply! Yes it does touch the metal and it can drop a good ways below the slats, if there is no material on the table. However, after looking around some at pics on here, I think I may have the torch mounted incorrectly (noob mistake - the clamps are not in the correct spot). I will try to re-adjust and post back once tested.
Incorrect torch mounting may cause problems with firing, but not cut height.
Something changed when you fixed the loose wire. The IHS system sets the Z zero when the torch raises and closes the switch. I suspect that the switch is being held open by something and causing the Z zero to be set too high.
Jog the torch down until the green IHS light comes on in Firecontrol. Set the jog speed to 10 IPM and raise it up while watching the IHS light in Firecontrol. When the light goes out, the torch tip should still be barely touching the metal.
If the torch comes off the metal before the green light goes out, something is keeping the switch open. The switches with brass contact plates can get bent and catch on the lead screw.