Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-26 Thread Dave 
On 5/26/2011 2:14 PM, Viesturs La-cis wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I have to propose a solution to control a plasma table that has THC-300.
> I have been searching for some useful information:
> I found these schematics:
> http://git.linuxcnc.org/gitweb?p=emc2.git;a=blob_plain;hb=HEAD;f=configs/plasma-thc/thc300.odg
> Honestly, I somehow do not understand, why is all that necessary.
>
> In this thread
> http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,20/func,view/id,9070/catid,10/limit,6/limitstart,0/lang,english/
> I found that John Thornton wrote a thcud.comp component - much
> simplier and easier to understand.
>
> I have a question:
> If THC-300 send out ARC OK signal, would it make sense connecting it
> to motion.spindle-at-speed pin?
>
> What I would like to get is: M3 command turns on the torch and EMC
> waits, until arc is closed and then starts movement.
> I know that it can be done with subroutines or M1xx commands or simply
> by using M66 command, but I would like it to be set up in a nice
> fashion.
>
> Since I am convinced this already has been done, there is no need to
> reinvent the wheel...
> Plasma table owners, could You, please, share Your solutions or
> insights for this? I would especially appreciate any tips/advices
> about THC300.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Viesturs
>
>

Viesturs,

I'm curious, what are they using to control the Plasma table now?  Mach3 
or are they using some other CNC controller?

The THC300 was one of the very first low cost THC systems to come on the 
market several years ago.   The guy who designed it (I believe was Tom 
Caudle at http://www.candcnc.com) stopped selling it some time ago.

When Tom Caudle stopped selling it, Jim Cullins and Bob Campbell got 
involved with it and they started selling it.  
http://campbelldesigns.net/plasma-torch-height-control.php

Tom Caudle sells an all digital THC now.

Some business transaction (buy/sell) probably made that happen.

 >>For ordering the THC300 please go to Jim Cullins new web page at 
www.soundlogicus.com 

This link no longer works as I believe that Jim Cullins has retired (I 
heard) and so I am not sure who, if anyone, is actually selling or 
supporting it.

Here are some pictures of the components
http://campbelldesigns.net/files/THC-300-Pictures.pdf

 From what I have heard, the Mesa THC/EMC2 solution works well.   Seeing 
that the Mesa THC board is less than $100, if you are using Mesa 
products anyway, I wouldn't spend too much time trying
to integrate on obsolete and unsupported THC300 unit into a new control 
system.

Did you see this?

http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/emcinfo.pl?Torch_Height_Control

I don't know if you have ever used Sheetcam but it is suppose to work 
very well in a Plasma cutting setup.  I use to produce Gcode files for a 
waterjet that runs EMC2 and it works well for that also. I believe it 
will insert the Mcodes for the torch control if you
set it up properly.

It is not free but well worth the price (less than $200).

Dave






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Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-26 Thread Yi-Shin Li 
On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 2:14 AM, Viesturs Lācis wrote:

> I have to propose a solution to control a plasma table that has THC-300.
> I have been searching for some useful information:
> I found these schematics:
>
> http://git.linuxcnc.org/gitweb?p=emc2.git;a=blob_plain;hb=HEAD;f=configs/plasma-thc/thc300.odg
> Honestly, I somehow do not understand, why is all that necessary.
>
> Since I am convinced this already has been done, there is no need to
> reinvent the wheel...
> Plasma table owners, could You, please, share Your solutions or
> insights for this? I would especially appreciate any tips/advices
> about THC300.
>
>
Hi Viesturs,

We have successfully integrated plasma controllers for our clients. It's
done with EMC2, MESA 7i43 (USB), and  an ADC/DIO break out board. It's with
THC, 3D NURBS motion, and JERK control. Our hardware cost would be identical
to THC300, and the software is freely available from
github
.

Here's the plasma cutting video:
http://youtu.be/BraEMAu5UkY

The thing is that we are using USB as the communication interface between
PC/EMC2 and MESA FPGA card, and the EMC2 community has concerns for this
interface.

Regards,

Yishin Li
-- 
ARAIS ROBOT TECHNOLOGY
www.araisrobo.com
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Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-27 Thread John Thornton 
I'm using M66 and never thought of using motion.spindle-at-speed, seems 
like an elegant solution. At the present time the timeout on M66 will 
allow the torch to carry on even if not lit... not sure if this it good 
or bad. I'll try the motion.spindle.at-speed when I get a chance...

John

Viesturs Lācis wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I have to propose a solution to control a plasma table that has THC-300.
> I have been searching for some useful information:
> I found these schematics:
> http://git.linuxcnc.org/gitweb?p=emc2.git;a=blob_plain;hb=HEAD;f=configs/plasma-thc/thc300.odg
> Honestly, I somehow do not understand, why is all that necessary.
>
> In this thread
> http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,20/func,view/id,9070/catid,10/limit,6/limitstart,0/lang,english/
> I found that John Thornton wrote a thcud.comp component - much
> simplier and easier to understand.
>
> I have a question:
> If THC-300 send out ARC OK signal, would it make sense connecting it
> to motion.spindle-at-speed pin?
>
> What I would like to get is: M3 command turns on the torch and EMC
> waits, until arc is closed and then starts movement.
> I know that it can be done with subroutines or M1xx commands or simply
> by using M66 command, but I would like it to be set up in a nice
> fashion.
>
> Since I am convinced this already has been done, there is no need to
> reinvent the wheel...
> Plasma table owners, could You, please, share Your solutions or
> insights for this? I would especially appreciate any tips/advices
> about THC300.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Viesturs
>
> --
> vRanger cuts backup time in half-while increasing security.
> With the market-leading solution for virtual backup and recovery,
> you get blazing-fast, flexible, and affordable data protection.
> Download your free trial now.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/quest-d2dcopy1
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>

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Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-27 Thread Viesturs Lācis 
Thank You, Dave and Yi-Shin!

That machine already has all the hardware and I would like to use
existing THC just to prove EMC's versatility to control almost
anything - I suspect that they have something more in mind and success
of this task will determine, if that customer will offer me some other
projects. I am not sure, if THC was provided by manufacturer together
with the machine or if the client acquired it separately and now wants
them both to work together.
So I will take a look at thc sample config and thcud component and
probably will let know, if any questions or difficulties will arise.
The approved time schedule is that I will "meet" the machine by the
end of next week.
Until then I will try to find as much information as possible, how to do it.

2011/5/27 John Thornton :
> I'll try the motion.spindle.at-speed when I get a chance...

Could You, please, let me know, how it works?

I asked this question, because I am not sure, what does that pin
affect and I was not lucky (or smart enough) to find, where
motion.spindle-at-speed behavior is documented.

Viesturs

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Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-27 Thread andy pugh 
On 27 May 2011 13:17, Viesturs Lācis  wrote:

>> I'll try the motion.spindle.at-speed when I get a chance...
> Could You, please, let me know, how it works?
> I was not lucky (or smart enough) to find, where
> motion.spindle-at-speed behavior is documented.

http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/config_emc2hal.html

it pauses motion until set to true by the VFD or HAL logic.

-- 
atp
"Torque wrenches are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men"

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Re: [Emc-users] Question about plasma

2011-05-27 Thread Viesturs Lācis 
2011/5/27 andy pugh :
> On 27 May 2011 13:17, Viesturs Lācis  wrote:
>
> http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/config_emc2hal.html
>
> it pauses motion until set to true by the VFD or HAL logic.

Andy, thank You!

Viesturs

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