Hypertherm board pinout for RS485 extension board

What’s the reason you don’t just buy Hypertherm's module?

1. I have RS232-to-RS485 module for the plasma side in my hand
2. I have RS485-to-USB converter for the PC side in my hand
3. I was hoping that data provided over ModBus to LinuxCNC / PlasmaC can give me THC functionality

For the Hypertherm module I would need to:
1. Buy module
2. Buy RS485/RS422 converter for PC (4-wire converter RS422 to RS232 on the PC side)

I could RS422 converter from the office as I have Westermo MA-45 - it was used on some old projects...

As Tommy said

RS485 does not replace THC

- that means that my intentional purpose will not be filled, so I might abandon project or just do it for fun...

The interface you have is not 4 wire rs485 that the Hypertherm uses
This one is
www.mikroe.com/rs485-3-click

Like you I am puzzled by the enable signal. I wondered if it was not for DSR or CTS
It would be interesting to see if this chip actually worked. as it would save a lot of cash

I'm planning to test even simpler solution - RS232 TTL 3.3V to USB converter and see if it will work.


I need to check if the serial port needs to be activated on the plasma unit.

interesting. It should work.
I guess the RS485 adds greater noise immunity in a noisy environment.
It would be better to avoid the USB and use a UART on the PC. as USB does not like noise.
Keep me posted. I actually bought a couple of those 3 click boards, waiting for them.

I have also plan to test serial comms over RS485



Plasma => RS232 TTL 3.3V => converter board RS485 => twisted pair RS485 => RS485 to USB connected to laptop

I'm struggling with ModBus apps - they do not support ModBus ASCII, the free version of app with ASCII support executes only 6 reads and writes

There is no need to experiment with Modbus. The Hypertherm serial port is fully supported in Plasmac. Phill and thefabricator03 have done it all for you.

if you really wanted to have fun, get modbus ASCII for Hypertherm working over the Mesa Smart serial port....