I have a Torchmate 4800 table with the Torchmate plate marker, and I am currently using sheetcam with the post processor Torchmate plasma VMD2. This post processor works flawless for regular cutting jobs, but how do I set up the plate marker as another tool or does this require an entirely different post processo? The plate marker needs a g code command to start and stop, and there are offset values for x and y from the location of the torch head. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
I have attached the G code from the Torchmate software of a shape with an x scribed onto it for drilling.
I’d hate to advise you incorrectly, so you should contact Torchmate (Lincoln Elect ? ) about this.
I did a quick scan of Sheetcam std post processors from the install folder and did not find a Torchmate pp with plate marker gcode production. What concerns me about attempting to modify the pp for plate marker is that the actuating gcode macro, M64, is the same for plasma as well as marker, provided T2 is the marker tool and T1 is plasma tool. I suspect the M64 macro in the controller will not attempt to fire the plasma torch if it sees that a marker tool is active, AND since the pp has no Z motion, that must be handled by the M64/M65 macros also, which also needs to account for the marker tool. If you have those assurances of no issues, then the pp modification should be fairly easy.
If you need help after seeking Torchmate advice, let us know. Perhaps upload your pp here in the meantime.
Take a look at the torchmate X with scriber post (i think thats what its called) thats what I use on a torchmate x table, I think the 2 machines are close enough that it will work with little to no effort.
I don’t see a post processor in my listing for Torchmate X with scriber, just one Torchmate X p.p. Is there a way to get an updated post processor list?
I wasn’t on a PC last night with SC on it, But yep
Torchmate X that’s the one, the comments in the post do a good job of explaining it. You need to makes sure you setup tool 1 in SC as your scribe tool
I stand corrected re. my earlier post that I couldn’t find plate marker in any of our Torchmate pps. @FabLab is correct, its in “Torchmate X.scpost”. However, I just compared that one to 'VMD2 pp and there are other seemingly important differences.
'X vs. 'VMD2
M50 vs. M64 – torch on
M51 vs. M65 – torch off
char ’ vs. () for gcode comment delimiter
OnArc() special handling of ramped leadin motion vs. warning
and several other diffs that may be benign
The following entire function is in 'X, not at all in 'VMD2
function OnToolChange()
if (plungeRate <= 0) then
post.Warning("WARNING: Plunge rate is zero")
end
if (feedRate <= 0) then
post.Warning("WARNING: Feed rate is zero")
end
-- Ervin Tarkhanian - Added this for scribe and oxyfuel tool changes per torchmate X
-- Tool number 1
if (tool == 1) then
post.Text (" (Tool change - Plate Marker)\n")
post.Text (" M32\n")
end
-- Tools 200-299 must be plasma
if (tool > 1 and tool < 500 ) then
post.Text (" (Tool change - Plasma)\n")
post.Text (" M31\n")
end
-- Tools must be oxy/fuel
if (tool > 499) then
post.Text (" (Tool change - OxyFuel)\n")
post.Text (" M33\n")
end
end