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Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:56 pm
by limited660
I'm looking to get UCCNC to use on my plasma table but had a few questions about the setup.

1. I currently have a UC100 connected to a G540 and have X, Y, and Z as well as the Z probe all on the same input. I've had this working on LinuxCNC and currently Mach3, will this work on UCCNC? I'm fine with single axis homing. I only have 4 inputs available so 1 will be Home/Probe, 2 will be Arc Ok, 3 will be THC Up, and 4 will be THC Down.

2. I have a THC which outputs Up/Down signals constantly based on torch voltage, it has no input to turn it on/off. Is the software able to ignore up/down signals? I'm only using 1 (of 2) inputs from the G540 for turning the arc on so if needed I could add a block on the signals.

3. Does the software support turning the THC off if actual speed drops below a certain % of programmed speed?

4. How/Why would I use M10/M11? I've read a few posts on here that it also requires M3 to use M10?

5. I've seen the configuration for the UC100 and it has an input for THC On, is this where I will add the signal for ARC OK from the plasma cutter?

6. Does the control still only wait for ARC OK when THC is on as per this thread - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=118 ? I guess when cutting without THC I will need to use a dwell or is there a code that will wait for an input to go high/low?

Re: Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 3:46 pm
by Robertspark
limited660 wrote:I'm looking to get UCCNC to use on my plasma table but had a few questions about the setup.

1. I currently have a UC100 connected to a G540 and have X, Y, and Z as well as the Z probe all on the same input. I've had this working on LinuxCNC and currently Mach3, will this work on UCCNC? I'm fine with single axis homing. I only have 4 inputs available so 1 will be Home/Probe, 2 will be Arc Ok, 3 will be THC Up, and 4 will be THC Down.


Yes

limited660 wrote:2. I have a THC which outputs Up/Down signals constantly based on torch voltage, it has no input to turn it on/off. Is the software able to ignore up/down signals? I'm only using 1 (of 2) inputs from the G540 for turning the arc on so if needed I could add a block on the signals.

yes, using a built in macro M205/M206

limited660 wrote:3. Does the software support turning the THC off if actual speed drops below a certain % of programmed speed?

yes, it can be set (install UCCNC and navigate to Configuration >> I/O Setup

limited660 wrote:4. How/Why would I use M10/M11? I've read a few posts on here that it also requires M3 to use M10?

to turn the torch on and off fast (more off than on)... but you need to use M10 before using M11... it aides in over-burn and preventing a divot at the end of the cut
I am not sure if you can use M10/M11 + THC within the UC100 {cncdrive will advise} .....

limited660 wrote:5. I've seen the configuration for the UC100 and it has an input for THC On, is this where I will add the signal for ARC OK from the plasma cutter?

? not sure... sorry no uc100 {cncdrive will advise} .....

limited660 wrote:6. Does the control still only wait for ARC OK when THC is on as per this thread - https://www.forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=118 ? I guess when cutting without THC I will need to use a dwell or is there a code that will wait for an input to go high/low?


normally you will enable THC (M205), but lock the motion of the torch (M211)... so that it will still wait for the arc OK but not move the torch down until you want it to using M212

Re: Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:19 pm
by cncdrive
Basicly Rob answered all of your questions.
In extension:

5.) There is an Arc on pin on the Configuration-I/O setup page, you add the arc OK or Arc on (or whatever we call it) signal.

Re: Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:43 pm
by Robertspark
Balazs, #4 i was not sure if the UC 100 could do THC and M10/M11 at the same time (micro controller space??)

Re: Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 7:28 pm
by limited660
cncdrive wrote:Basicly Rob answered all of your questions.
In extension:

5.) There is an Arc on pin on the Configuration-I/O setup page, you add the arc OK or Arc on (or whatever we call it) signal.


Do I need to configure the ARC OK on the UC100 as THC ON as well or what is THC ON set as?

Edit: I see now that's on the same page as I was looking...UC100 has it as THC ON, UC300 has it as ARC ON in the manual pictures.

Re: Plasma + THC Setup

PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 12:23 pm
by stivemaster
You can configure your inputs as follows:
input 1 - all limit switches
input 2 - probe
Entry 3 - Thc Up
input 4 - Thc down
Input 5 - E Stop
At input 2, put in normally closed state to respond as an open state Probe to the same pin corresponding to ARC ON