Feature Request

phillc54 wrote:

Have you tried perpendicular leadins on those internal features?

I think at one point I did, I can definitely try again though.

That particular cut file flamed out on literally every arc.

Am I reading it correctly, the holes are 0.25" (6.35mm) and the slots are the same width.

phillc54 wrote:

Am I reading it correctly, the holes are 0.25" (6.35mm) and the slots are the same width.

From the model, both are .3".

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Am I reading it correctly, the holes are 0.25" (6.35mm) and the slots are the same width.

From the model, both are .3".

OK, I didn't allow for kerf width.

phillc54 wrote:

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Am I reading it correctly, the holes are 0.25" (6.35mm) and the slots are the same width.

From the model, both are .3".

OK, I didn't allow for kerf width.

Oh right, yea I didnt think of it either. 5am here, no coffee yet, about to leave for work

I seem to remember Jim Colt saying to use perpendicular leadins. I trued arcs and gave up then never tried again.

I'll switch over for sure! I watched a few Jim Colt videos in my expanded metal research. He doesnt seem to explain how at least MaverickCNC handles expanded metal other than "turn off the THC". They must just ignore the arc OK though.

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Am I reading it correctly, the holes are 0.25" (6.35mm) and the slots are the same width.

From the model, both are .3".

OK, I didn't allow for kerf width.

Oh right, yea I didnt think of it either. 5am here, no coffee yet, about to leave for work

I seem to remember Jim Colt saying to use perpendicular leadins. I trued arcs and gave up then never tried again.

I'll switch over for sure! I watched a few Jim Colt videos in my expanded metal research. He doesnt seem to explain how at least MaverickCNC handles expanded metal other than "turn off the THC". They must just ignore the arc OK though.

Do Powermax's keep the Arc OK signal on during CPA mode?

phillc54 wrote:

Do Powermax's keep the Arc OK signal on during CPA mode?

So that was my initial impression of how they would work, however that's not been my experience. All of the issues I've mentioned were most recently done in Mode 2 (CPA Mode). As soon as the torch flamed out, the machine paused. I supposed there could be something wrong with my power unit, but I would think it's highly unlikely as it's brand new otherwise.

All the manual says is:

For cutting expanded metal, grates, metal containing holes, or any job that requires a continuous pilot arc. Using this mode to cut standard metal plate reduces consumable life.

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Do Powermax's keep the Arc OK signal on during CPA mode?

So that was my initial impression of how they would work, however that's not been my experience. All of the issues I've mentioned were most recently done in Mode 2 (CPA Mode). As soon as the torch flamed out, the machine paused. I supposed there could be something wrong with my power unit, but I would think it's highly unlikely as it's brand new otherwise.

All the manual says is:

For cutting expanded metal, grates, metal containing holes, or any job that requires a continuous pilot arc. Using this mode to cut standard metal plate reduces consumable life.

I think Stefan did some manual single cuts in CPA mode to cut up some skeletons.
linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/plasma/plasma...ide.html#_single_cut
He didn't mention any flameouts.

phillc54 wrote:

snowgoer540 wrote:

phillc54 wrote:

Do Powermax's keep the Arc OK signal on during CPA mode?

So that was my initial impression of how they would work, however that's not been my experience. All of the issues I've mentioned were most recently done in Mode 2 (CPA Mode). As soon as the torch flamed out, the machine paused. I supposed there could be something wrong with my power unit, but I would think it's highly unlikely as it's brand new otherwise.

All the manual says is:

For cutting expanded metal, grates, metal containing holes, or any job that requires a continuous pilot arc. Using this mode to cut standard metal plate reduces consumable life.

I think Stefan did some manual single cuts in CPA mode to cut up some skeletons.
linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/plasma/plasma...ide.html#_single_cut
He didn't mention any flameouts.

Perhaps manual mode is coded to ignore the loss of arc-ok? It mentions you cant move until you receive an arc-ok signal, but makes no mention of how a loss is handled.

I can do whatever specific testing you'd like this weekend as I'm off tomorrow-Sunday, and the girlfriend works all weekend, leaving me free to tinker in the garage at my leisure . But again, I'm pretty sure, based on what I've seen thus far, that if I wanted to cut a piece of expanded metal (which I do), it's not going to go as planned.