RS485 For Hypertherms

bevins wrote:

You trying to get the Hyperterm to talk rs-485 for THC?

Yes for the Current, Gas Pressure and Cut Type.

bevins wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Yeah, I have an 8 channel logic analyser but the problem I was having with a VMware guest was that it wouldn't open the port consistently.

You trying to get the Hyperterm to talk rs-485 for THC?

Yeh, there is a python user space component that already exists which was written by Pedro. Phill is folding it into Plasmac. I think he is hoping is Hypertherm 30 amp will grow up one day!

Phill,

So how do you think the component will work with PlasmaC?

When a tool is selected the component will change the voltage and air pressure on the plasma unit? So when I am cutting something out at 105 amps and I try to do a peck pierce the g code will switch to the piece tool and set the current at say 30 amps but when I go back to cutting it will read the tool change and go back to 105 amps?

rodw wrote:

Yeh, there is a python user space component that already exists which was written by Pedro

At this stage my thought is that I want tighter integration with PlasmaC so I am looking at doing the comms within PlasmaC itself rather than a separate component. That idea may change down the track.

rodw wrote:

I think he is hoping is Hypertherm 30 amp will grow up one day!

I have been watering it but nothing yet, maybe now it is Spring...

"thefabricator03 wrote:

So how do you think the component will work with PlasmaC?
When a tool is selected the component will change the voltage and air pressure on the plasma unit? So when I am cutting something out at 105 amps and I try to do a peck pierce the g code will switch to the piece tool and set the current at say 30 amps but when I go back to cutting it will read the tool change and go back to 105 amps?

That is pretty much it.

Its going to be a truly great feature to have, Now I just need to build a automatic consumable changer and I will be all set!

Actually as an aside, I happened to be looking through the 45XP manual and in their chapter about marking, they had some time delay numbers for dimpling which is exactly what Phill coded into Plasmac on my suggestion for centre punching. I think they suggested 50 ms for a 0.1" dimple.

So now Stefan, you'll also need a second torch mounted up for marking with the 45XP...

rodw wrote:

So now Stefan, you'll also need a second torch mounted up for marking with the 45XP...

Trust me I have thought about it. Quite recently as a matter of fact. It would be handy as I could set up the 45XP to run on argon and with the marking consumables and just use that for marking instead of a scribe. Not as cheap as the scribe but I am sure more versatile.

Now I have to redesign my whole X axis, Thanks Rod...

You are welcome Stefan. You have no idea how many redesigns have gone into my machine from the amazing developments that have been made with Plasma on this forum!

I actually hope that Phill's hard work incorporating the current and pressure will require a redesign one day soon. It would be much better if it was done from a Mesa UART so there was no need to run an additional cable back to a PC. One day...

Yeah I agree that there has been a lot of new developments happening at a rapid rate for plasma on this forum. I would argue more so than any other forum I frequent.

I think I will give Phill a break after he gets this one working before I annoy him about any further nice to have features. I think multiple z axies would fit into the nice to have list as well as my air drill. Like Rod says one day.

I actually hope that Phill's hard work incorporating the current and pressure will require a redesign one day soon. It would be much better if it was done from a Mesa UART so there was no need to run an additional cable back to a PC

That could be an additional option, it is only slow comms so it doesn't really matter how it is done plus not everyone has Mesa hardware.

I think I will give Phill a break after he gets this one working before I annoy him about any further nice to have features. I think multiple z axies would fit into the nice to have list as well as my air drill.

I have actually thought about multiple X axes over the last week or so.