Integrating a CHC-200F Capacitive sensor as a THC

Hey everyone.

I'm documenting my journey to control a CHC-200F (Capacitive Height Controller) as a Torch Height Controller.

CHC-200F is superior to CHC-200E as the "F" has faster processing and also provides a probe output signal.

These systems are made for use with a DC motor in the torch : which LCNC doesnt.

They communicate to the motor with a PWM signal, which overrides the controller's PWM to provide a height correction.

 

The PWM signal provided is 10V with 9 to 18 KHZ frequency. Which can be read by either the Mesa Encoder input with the proper voltage scaling.

Unlike the arc voltage, which the THCAD converts into an encoder signal, the PWM signal will have a polarity so it will have scaled and offsetted..
It will also have a different "meaning" as the encoder in the THCAD, so it will have to be 'read' in a different way.

Has anyone used mesa systems to read PWM?

Is it more suitable to read it with a THCAD?

PS: Im guessing I could also use the polarity of PWM signal to generate two inputs: Move Torch Up & Move Torch Down, and use QTPLASMAC in Mode 2 (Up/down signals). But this wouldn't provide such a fast thc response as the "arc voltage" does.

This post will be advanced as more progress is made.