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Messages - hswaters

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1
General Discussion / Re: Introduce myself also
« on: March 05, 2021, 10:22:54 AM »
Yes I have found that the spindle on and spindle off work for torch on and off.  I asked this question so long ago I had forgotten it.  M3 turns the torch on and M5 turns it off.

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Thanks fellows following your suggestions I found the problem.  A new breakaway switch on the torch was open. 

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When I use the input for the PMDX-416 estop I do not get any indication of change on the mach4 diagnostic list of inputs.  I have a set of switches that are all wired to the NC position so that if one switch opens I should get a low signal on input 10.  But no matter what I do I never get a change on it.  It is always green even if I unplug the wiring connector.  What the heck is causing this.  Anybody else ever have this problem

4
I have it set up now and the Proma controls the torch height when the torch is on.  The mach4 controls the torch height when the torch is off.  So I am not actually using Mach4 for torch control of any sort other than if I want to raise or lower the torch when it is turned off.  This does the job for me.

5
SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: grounding question
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:40:15 PM »
So I thought I might as well update this.  I did connect all the grounds together and now I have control of the z axis from the cnc through the smartbob and also the Proma sd 50 controls the z axis when the torch is on.  I can now control the z axis when the torch is off.  The proma instructions were just right.

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SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: grounding question
« on: October 13, 2019, 06:19:08 PM »
I thought it might help to include a link to a scan of the user manual that came with the Proma.

http://www.mediafire.com/folder/4fk7er8fwyr5v/Jorian

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SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / grounding question
« on: October 13, 2019, 03:41:08 PM »
I have a PMDX-416 and mach4 on my plasma torch table.  I have installed a Proma SD 50 torch height controller.  The Proma shows taking the output of the PMDX step and dir signals to the Proma and from the Proma to the stepper controller.  Basically inserting the Proma in the circuit between the smartbob and the stepper controller.  The Proma instructions show connecting the power ground to the step and dir grounds. 
The Proma needs 7 to 35 volts for power.  I cannot get that much from the smartbob so I get it from the 10 amp power supply that runs the motors.  So the smartbob and the power supply grounds are both separate.  Will I have a problem if I tie these two grounds together.

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I have a PDF titled Mach4 plasma configuration.  I am not sure where it came from but I would assume Artsoft division of NewFangledSolutions.  It may or may not have that title on their site as I often rename a PDF that comes with numbers for a name.  It shows the mach4 plasma screen in the Mach4 software plasma screen configuration tab at the bottom of the configuration drop down is the plasmascreenconfiguration menu.  This is where I got the questions about manual, analog, or digital for the THC. 
Thanks for the names of the inputs in the screen.  The Proma THC sends signals to raise or lower the torch by connection to the PMDX inputs.  Their is no software driver or plugin for the proma as far as I know although I have not actually received it as yet to see what is in the box.  The lack of a driver makes me wonder about the register usage as was mentioned for the pokeysxxxx device.  I have assumed this far that the Proma would send step pulses to the PMDX and mach4 would observe and report on that to the user likely pass them on to the PMDX connections to the Z axis motor but not take any action itself as the Proma is sending the commands for torch up and down.  I hope some of that makes sense. Thanks again for the reply.

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I have mach4 and a plasma cutter table.  I want to install a Proma SD 150 torch height control.  I am new to mach4, PMDX, and Proma so assume that I know nothing.  I was looking at the torch configuration in mach4 and it gives the choice of manual, digital, and analog for the THC and in the example says to take analog.    The configuration assumes that I have a pokeys???  so I am not sure the information is good for the Proma.  The Proma manual shows how to connect the wiring but does not mention mach4 or any software.  Their is also a lot of talk about a register with information and it shows one for pokeys.  I would guess I have to create a register for the Proma?  It would be wonderful if I could find someone who has installed a Proma SD 150 on the PMDX-416 and mach4.   

10
General Discussion / Re: Introduce myself also
« on: September 05, 2019, 11:48:37 AM »
Thanks a million for your reply.  Since I posted this I have read even more documentation and obtained some sample gcode and they use the M3 command to turn on the arc and the M5 to turn it off.  I will follow your instructions and I am sure it will all work fine.  Thanks again for your assistance.

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What you say makes perfect sense and as they say "I can see perfectly now" how to handle this thing.  I will move off the estop and use some other pins for the limit switches.  Thank you very much for your help.

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I have a plasma table I am building;  I have put limit switches on both ends of each axes.  For simplicity I wired them all in series as normally closed.  So if any switch is opened I get a low signal on input 10 which stops everything.   Input 10 is on a pmdx416. I am not sure if this is the right way to set it up or not.  I found in the configuration a bucket full of inputs listed in way greater numbers than exist on the smartbob.  When I was working I used control software to condfigure controls for petrochemical applications.  In that software you simply refereed to the input number and you could assign it to any control action you wanted to.  I suspect mach4 must be like this but I am not sure how to implement it.  I hipe my wording of the question is not as confusing for you as it is for me.

13
General Discussion / Introduce myself also
« on: September 02, 2019, 06:10:41 PM »
Hello folks.  My name is Harold and I am retired and a certified old geezer.   I have purchased mach4 and a pmdx-416 for my plasma cutter table.  Actually I am just now building it and have arrived at a point near where I will have to try it with real metal.  I am not sure how mach4 uses the pierce command which I think is "P" to activate an output to start the plasma on my torch.  I do not have a THC and may not ever get one unless it just is unavoidable.  Is their a particular output that is going to be triggered or do I have to create some code in the screen?   I am at the point where I need to wire the torch to some signal to get it started.  I am new to CNC and in fact the reason I started on a plasma torch is I figured it would be the simplest project to tackle.  Maybe later I will convert my manual mill to cnc or maybe not. 

Anyway can someone point me in the right direction to get this information.  I am an ancient redneck so I will need some very specific details.

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