The blacksmith's plasma table

So today I installed MX Linux on the PC I had, and manage to install LinuxCNC and have the computer recognize the Mesa card. I followed this tutorial : forum.linuxcnc.org/9-installing-linuxcnc...indows-users?start=0 by snowgoer540

I'm not too sure what I did thought. I could'nt find the qtplasmac option under "by_machine" in the linuxCNC configuration, only under the "sim" category. I'm not too sure what it means, is it a simulation of a real machine ?.

I also had to edit the .ini file to change the "USER_M_PATH" because I kept having an error about some M190 file which couldn't be found and caused linuxCNC to crash. The error message told me that this file existed in another path so I just changed it for the one with the file in it and It worked.

I'm not too sure what's the next step now. I'd like to try the 3 axis movement without the THCAD nor the plasma connected. Is it possible ? Should I make a new configuration in linuxCNC unrelated to plasma cutting just to test my motors ?

I'm still waiting for some shielded cable and different colors cable and I can start this machine for the first time

As a newcomer, there is something to be said to make a basic config using axis. But if your machine is complicated, it might be a waste of time
You can build a qtplasmac config using pncconf

Thank you for your answer. On the qtplasmac documentation it says to not try to configure it if the base machine isn't done. I understand it as you need all the wiring (with the THC) to be done before trying anything. But maybe I'm not understanding it well ? My question is, can I build a qtplamac config just to try my 3 axis (with a slaved motor for the Y, so 4 stepmotor YYXZ) without the THC and the plasma ? Since it's the first time I'm ding something like that I'd like to go step by step. I'm sorry I dont always understand your answer well because of the language.

edit : okay I found the answer there :

I've started my own wiring diagram that I'll update. I'm posting it here so one can tell me if I do something wrong. Right now i've just draw the wiring for the drivers (just one but they are all on the same 36v 17A alimentation and wired the same way).

I'm not sure I fully understand the difference between ground and earth. As I understand it I need to connect the machine structure and the alimentation to the earth, and I need a common ground (not connected to the earth) for everything else (which I draw in black on the drawing). The common ground acting as a base voltage reference for all the electronic, and the earth is there for safety in case I have accidental high power connecting to the frame of the machine.

Does it seems right to you ? 

 

Additionaly, I realize the Stamos plasma I wanted to buy doesn't have an arcOK signal build in. I know @tommylight told me it's possible to generate one with a reed relay. The other alternative is the Hynade Plasma, it has quite a lot of shipping cost to the EU. I'm not to sure which one to buy. Is the reed relay thing reliable and easy to set-up ?
 

Today I've started to assemble the electric pannel :
 
 

Slowly but steadily I'm wiring everything I need for the first test : limit switches and Y and X motors (the Z axes will be configured later with the THCAD wired in).

All the shield of the shielded cables that goes outside the box have a ground connection through the aviator connectors casing and the frame. There is room for a fifth axis If I want to add a tube cutting option later. There is 4 hole left on the left side for 2G aviator connector (emergency stop and the connection to THCAD-2 and Mesa 7i96s once I start to wire the plasma).

I feel a bit more confident now that I've started all the wiring about this THC thing.

Could someone confirm that I need :
- access to the arc voltage (which will be 1:1 ratio), to the THCAD-2 through a 2.5MOhm resistor on the negative wire
- a way to start and stop the plasma through a normal relay (via the Mesa 7i96s)
- an arcOk signal which I can access through a reed relay with the torch cable wraped three time around it (signal also read by the Mesa 7i96s) 

I'm still wondering about the Stamos or the Stahlwerk, maybe it could be worth it to try with the sthalwerk I already own now that I understand the electronic better...

I'm really enjoying this part, the machine starts to look like a real thing. I'm going slow because I'm always waiting for connectors or cable I forgot to order and I want to do it right from the begining because I know myself : if it works I will never go back to finish it cleanly.

Some pictures (if someone see a blattant mistake dont hesistate to tell me please ): 
 
 
 

A big update today,I have the whole base machine working.

It goes at the speed it should, execute direct Gcode command. I had some struggle with the smallest motor on the Z axis which might be a bit underpowered and had to use only 1/4 microstepping to get enough torque from it. I think I'm gonna buy a bit more powerfull one.

I also decided I wanted to try to use the Stahlwerk before buying the Stamos. I manage to get voltage arc, On/OFF with a relay and arcOK signal with the reed relay.

I really feel more confident today in this project and have a better understanding of the whole thing. Thanks to you guys. I only have one question though. With the Stahlwerk's HF starts, could it fry the THCAD ? It didn't seem to affect much my multimeter when I tried it.

Also, is there a way to upload directly a video on the forum ? I'd like to show you the machine !