RS485 For Hypertherms

phillc54 wrote:

There is no guarantee of when the new setting would take effect.

Thats the reason Hypertherm uses Ethercat for their hi-definition machine controllers. RS485 is a generally reliable method but its downside is its transfer speed is not great.

I will do some testing on the weekend Phill, so you can finally push this update to keep the people happy!

The soft peck would be quite doable. Normally, in Sheetcam you create a seperate layer with all the holes on it and then run a plasma drill operation on that layer. So you could define the lower current in the Plasmac material definition that Sheetcam retrieves.

Sheetcam's cut rules are more or less redundant with Plasmac because of its hole mode and the Corner lock feature that disables the THC when velocity falls below a threshold. I certainly don't use cutting rules.

But remember that the RS485 is a user space function so you have two problems: Its not real time and its slow to send the package.

As Stefan says, the big machines use Ethercat and then you don't even need to measure arc voltage or wire in an ArcOK signal because its all on the ethercat BUS.

I see on the plasmac update that is a Powermax communication. When we will see a how to manual for beginners? It will be very useful. I have a Powermax 45 and i intend to buy a rs485 comunication interface from Hypertherm. Is any other method to manufacturing an rs485 communication card for Hypertherm ?

alexandrub wrote:

I see on the plasmac update that is a Powermax communication. When we will see a how to manual for beginners? It will be very useful. I have a Powermax 45 and i intend to buy a rs485 comunication interface from Hypertherm. Is any other method to manufacturing an rs485 communication card for Hypertherm ?

The Hypertherm RS485 interface will come with a connecter for the machine. You need a a 5 core cable and a RS485 card for your PC. I tried using a USB to RS485 adapter with little luck. You might have better luck if you decide to go that way.

For me it was plug and play once I had my wiring correct and had the correct port selected. Phil developed a tool for me to test the comms and I used that to find the correct port.

Phil, When I get a minute I will post my wiring diagram for the RS485 cable and if you could include in your manual to help others with their cable wiring.

The wiring was the hardest part of of getting the RS485 to work.

snowgoer540 wrote:

thefabricator03 wrote:

Phil, When I get a minute I will post my wiring diagram for the RS485 cable and if you could include in your manual to help others with their cable wiring.

The wiring was the hardest part of of getting the RS485 to work.

Can you recommend a specific card?

The card I am using is actually a RS232 card. I had it laying around and thought I would try to see if it would work. Linux Mint recognized it without having to install any drivers.

I had the plug from the usb to RS485 adapter I brought and it plugged into the RS232 port.
This was the USB to RS485 adapter I was trying to use but could not get to work properly, It should give you a idea of the plug needed,
www.jaycar.com.au/usb-port-to-rs-485-422...4136r&utm_medium=web

I just made sure that the wiring matched what was in the manual and once I configured the port, it worked straight away in PlasmaC.

I would say any card that can be used with the version of Linux you are using will work without a drama.
This is the card I am using, www.sunix.com/en/product_detail.php?cid=1&kid=2&gid=4&pid=902

thefabricator03 wrote:

Phil, When I get a minute I will post my wiring diagram for the RS485 cable and if you could include in your manual to help others with their cable wiring.

The wiring was the hardest part of of getting the RS485 to work.

Phil,

Please find attached the diagram, If you need anything changed let me know.