Torchmate 4800 Plate Marker

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.

G70
G90
M06 T2
G00 X2.184 Y5.684
M64
G01 X2.184 Y7.184 F55.000
M65
G00 X1.434 Y6.434
M64
G01 X2.934 Y6.434 F55.000
M65
G00 X2.934 Y6.434
M06 T1
G00 X4.768 Y4.891
M64
G03 X4.7100 Y4.7238 I0.0606 J-0.1147 F75.000
G01 X5.089 Y3.941
G01 X5.089 Y0.030
G01 X0.030 Y0.030
G01 X0.030 Y3.937
G01 X0.695 Y6.782
G02 X3.5610 Y7.0999 I1.4894 J-0.3482
G01 X4.710 Y4.724
G01 X4.764 Y4.611
G03 X4.9313 Y4.5531 I0.1170 J0.0673
M65
G00 X0.000 Y0.000
M02

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.

Unfortunately Lincoln Electric is not fond of using anything other than their software, so their tech support doesn’t help any.

Your assumptions are correct, the T2 is for the plate marker which is all air powered, so once turned on it drops down (z) with air.

@NIC , … reminder…

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