Powermax 45xp lost arc delay (Solved)

snowgoer540 wrote: There's a few threads that cover similar issues. I would say that if you are having that problem on initial pierce, lost arc delay probably isn't going to fix your issue, or if it does it may be band-aiding a bigger problem. Speaking quite generally, that is more for end of cut scenarios where the "flame" is lost before the cut is officially ended (by a small amount).

It would also be helpful to see your pierce height, and material settings. Though I assume you are using the cut chart. At any rate, if your pierce height is too high, you will not get a reliable transfer from the pilot arc to the cutting arc.

So the common things that you'll see as a response from people to check (in no particular order):

1. Contact wetting. Some have reported success with adding a resistor to increase current across the arc-ok relay inside the hypertherm.
2. Do you have a debounce on the arc-ok signal? If you are using a newer install of PlasmaC, it is there by default.
3. I did not have success with my hypertherm using a Solid State Relay to trigger the "torch-on". There are several diagrams that show how to hook torch-on right to the 7i96 which makes use of the board's SSR to trigger the torch-on. The Hypertherm manual calls for a dry contact mechanical relay for this. My machine (power max 65) did similar to what you are saying until I switched torch-on to a mechanical relay. That said plenty of people use the 7i96 SSR with success.

That should give you a place to start with things to check.

I am using the height specs from the manual, so I am hesitant to believe that is the problem here. But maybe

Question 2: I am using the latest version of PlasmaC, so I assume I have a debounce on Arc-ok.
Question 3: You are correct in assuming I am using the solid state relay on the 7i96 board. Might need to switch over to a mechanical relay to remedy this issue. Especially if adding delay to the arc-ok check isn't intended for the beginning of the run. I don't want any band-aids. I want it fixed right.

Try cutting with THC disabled.
If that works, check the voltage while cutting on screen and set the THC voltage on the material tab to that value.
Might be you have it set to high so the THC will try to raise it with raising the torch cutting the arc in the process.
187 should have the delay by default.

Nick7251 wrote:
I am using the height specs from the manual, so I am hesitant to believe that is the problem here. But maybe

Did you verify the height with the Probe Test feature? This allows you to adjust for any height difference caused by the play in the float switch.

At any rate, you do have a debounce on the arc-ok input. you can tell because of this line in the shop_plasmac_connections.hal file:

Try as Tommy suggested, or another similar thought would be to try using autovolts. I don't bother with the voltages in the hypertherm manual anymore. I exclusively use Auto volts as it takes the guess work out of that for us. But honestly it sounds to me like you aren't even getting far enough along for the THC to be doing its thing anyways. Easy to swap in a mechanical relay if you have one laying around; could be a simple fix.

As for the bevel you mentioned, perhaps you pulsed the torch too many times? One of the guys on here figured out that that really cuts down on the consumable life faster than you would expect and can cause beveling issues really quickly.

snowgoer540 wrote:
At any rate, you do have a debounce on the arc-ok input. you can tell because of this line in the shop_plasmac_connections.hal file.

Try as Tommy suggested, or another similar thought would be to try using autovolts. I don't bother with the voltages in the hypertherm manual anymore. I exclusively use Auto volts as it takes the guess work out of that for us. But honestly it sounds to me like you aren't even getting far enough along for the THC to be doing its thing anyways. Easy to swap in a mechanical relay if you have one laying around; could be a simple fix.

As for the bevel you mentioned, perhaps you pulsed the torch too many times? One of the guys on here figured out that that really cuts down on the consumable life faster than you would expect and can cause beveling issues really quickly.

The bevel happens even if I have brand new fresh consumables.

Also, I am using auto volts for the THC. It does cut sometimes, and when it does the THC seems to be working perfectly. I think I will try a mechanical relay as Hypertherm recommends first. Then if that still doesn't do it I will play with the delay value.

Nick7251 wrote:
The bevel happens even if I have brand new fresh consumables.

Are you sure your torch is perpendicular to the workpiece checked Parallel to X and Parallel to Y? I thought mine was, and it wasnt. Even a small amount can make a large difference.

Also, I am using auto volts for the THC. It does cut sometimes, and when it does the THC seems to be working perfectly. I think I will try a mechanical relay as Hypertherm recommends first. Then if that still doesn't do it I will play with the delay value.

Seems like a reasonable progression. If mechanical relay doesn't help, take a video and put it on YouTube and link here. That may help us.

Assuming you are using the 45XP's ArcOK and not synthesised arcOK which might cause a whole other bundle of pain.

An you advise the THC Delay you are using?

This thread I posted today I think is relevant.

forum.linuxcnc.org/plasma-laser/41420-arc-voltage-on-piercing

My guess is that you are auto sampling too early because your THC delay is too short. Lets say you sampled when the torch voltage was say 50 volts higher than cut volts. Given a volts per mm of between 7.53-10 volts, the THC will immediately attempt to raise the torch by 5-7mm and thus loose the arc...

Please do some plots of your machine using halscope as I have in the other thread before setting your THC delay.