QtPlasmaC v2.9 - Time between turning off and back on the arc on a Powermax 105

Hi everyone. I hope you all are doing great.
I am trying  QtPlasmaC v2.9 for the first time. I have done some retrofitings of milling machines and routers with the Linux CNC, but never had worked with a plasma before.
I am finding out that the Plasma machines have some specific issues to deal with.

I am using a Hypertherm PowerMax 105 plasma source.
Everytime the plasma is turned off, the powermax start a process that Hypertherm calls overflux, blowing air trough the torch to cool it down.
During this overflux phase (aprox. 15seconds) the start torch does not work (on the powermax). It seems that the first pulse reduce the air blow and the second would start the torch.
I am having a problem because during a program executin, this first start to the powermax during the overflux does not start the torch, but the powermax send the signal of arc ok to the QtPlasma.
As Powermax sends the arc ok signal to QtPlasma, it does keep running the program, as it understand the arc is ok. But the arc is not ok and it is not cutting.
Does someone knows how to solve this situation?

Thank you very much
 

Are you using Mode 1 and the ArcOK signal from the CNC port on the plasma cutter? If not do so. This will  let the plasma is tell you the Arc is OK, not some half assed guess based on the arc voltage.

Also on some plasmas, there is a setting that tells the plasma is turned on and off by seperate button presses. make sure its not set like this although if you using a machine torch, this should be overridden.

 

Hi Rod. Thank you.
I am using mode 2.
I have also a external THC as an independet electronics.
I am using ArcOK signal from the CNC port on the plasma cutter. The problem that I am finding out is that the Hypertherm PowerMax 105 is sending an ArcOk signal as soon as I send the signal to turn the arc on to the Powermax.
I will study the differences between mode 1 and 2 and will review if the PowerMax is set to work and such a way or if this is a problem on the Powermax.
As the Power Max always sends the Arc Ok signal, when the arc is not transfered to the part, QtPlasma does not try to start the arc again and the part program runs without cutting the part.
I will also try the recommended solution from the QtPlasma manual that tell us to make 3 turns with the power cable that goes to the plasma and use a reed switch inside those turns (as item 6 of the Plasma Cutting Primer for LinuxCNC Users Document).
Once again, thank you very much.

Hi snow. Thank you.
I am using mode 2.
I have also a external THC as an independet electronics.
I am using ArcOK signal from the CNC port on the plasma cutter. The problem that I am finding out is that the Hypertherm PowerMax 105 is sending an ArcOk signal as soon as I send the signal to turn the arc on to the Powermax.
I will study the differences between mode 1 and 2 and will review if the PowerMax is set to work and such a way or if this is a problem on the Powermax.
As the Power Max always sends the Arc Ok signal, when the arc is not transfered to the part, QtPlasma does not try to start the arc again and the part program runs without cutting the part.
I will also try the recommended solution from the QtPlasma manual that tell us to make 3 turns with the power cable that goes to the plasma and use a reed switch inside those turns (as item 6 of the Plasma Cutting Primer for LinuxCNC Users Document).
Once again, thank you very much.

I think you have a wiring fault. All the 105 does is close an internal relay when a valid arc is established. you provide the voltage to that relay and read the output when it opens and closes.I would confirm behaviour with a multii meter before going further.

We can't help until you provide full details of your THC, the way you have integrated with linuxcnc and the connections you have made.

Most people  use a Mesa Ethernet card and Mesa THCAD and not use an external THC.

Please don't duplicate your replies.

tommylight wrote:

Mesh mode will trigger ARCOK immediately after striking an arc, but does not fit with what the OP is describing in some details, in some it does fit.
Also does not fit the 2T/4T control mode some manual plasma sources have.

I think this post is relevant. We are not mind readers
forum.linuxcnc.org/51-ot-posts/54926-a-p...y-to-provide-answers