Slow speed on the 1st Probe to metal

[stick]

I am using the UCCNC plasma post processor by jcolden. It seems to be working ok except it runs very very slow on the first probe to reference the metal. After that it seems to work ok when probing down after each cut (Dry Run). Another problem is I cannot get the torch to fire and have not found where to assign the pin for that in the software. I dont have a THC connected yet. Im also using a Gecko G540. Im running through a relay and all seems to be connected properly according to the diagrams I have found. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[robertspark]

torch fire = M3 / spindle clockwise

you are going to need to provide more information about how the touch off is done (via macro? or part of the post processor)

[Les Newell]

Could you send me a copy of the post or attach a copy here.

[stick]

Here is a small portion of it. I don't know much about Macros and Gcode but I have been learning. I added a variable to this file but it did not make a difference. I really appreciate your help.




N0010 (Filename: DG Golf 4.tap)
N0020 (Post processor: uccnc jcoldon.scpost)
N0030 (Date: 24/08/2021)
N0040 G20 (Units: Inches)
N0050 F1
N0060 G53 G90 G40
N0070 (Part: New part)
N0080 (Operation: Set variable plunge rate = 50 )
N0090 (Part: DG Golf 2)
N0100 (Operation: Outside Offset, 2, T1: Plasma 1)
N0110 G00 X2.0367 Y1.7541
N0120 G31 Z -100 G92 Z0.0
N0130 G00 Z0.2100
N0140 G92 Z0.0
N0150 G00 Z0.1500
N0160 M213
N0170 M03 (torch on)
N0180 G04 P0.8
N0190 G01 Z0.0600 F50.0
N0200 G03 X1.9796 Y1.6564 I0.0203 J-0.0774 F40.0
N0210 G01 X1.9928 Y1.6062 F100.0
N0220 X2.0216 Y1.5155
N0230 G03 X2.0651 Y1.4167 I0.7219 J0.2590
N0240 G01 X2.0954 Y1.3647
N0250 X2.1289 Y1.3185
N0260 X2.1594 Y1.2829
N0270 G03 X2.3283 Y1.1604 I0.3909 J0.3612
N0280 X2.4390 Y1.1224 I0.2521 J0.5534
N0290 G01 X2.4902 Y1.1126
N0300 X2.5597 Y1.1052
N0310 G03 X2.9022 Y1.1692 I0.0606 J0.6237
N0320 G01 X2.9473 Y1.1958
N0330 X2.9861 Y1.2242
N0340 X3.0190 Y1.2508
N0350 G02 X3.0660 Y1.2358 I0.0186 J-0.0230 F40.0
N0360 G01 X3.0954 Y1.1317 F100.0
N0370 X3.3482 Y1.1321
N0380 Y2.1043
N0390 X2.5974
N0400 Y1.7782
N0410 X2.9396
N0420 G02 X2.9690 Y1.7453 I0.0000 J-0.0295 F40.0
N0430 X2.9453 Y1.6377 I-0.5189 J0.0579 F100.0
N0440 G01 X2.9445 Y1.6356
N0450 X2.9255 Y1.5906
N0460 X2.9236 Y1.5870
N0470 X2.9012 Y1.5494
N0480 X2.8986 Y1.5457
N0490 X2.8714 Y1.5130

[mancavedweller]

Stick,

Les asked for a copy of the post processor, but you send the gcode instead.

If you send a copy of the post processor Les may be able to do a modification so it generates the gcode you need.

[stick]

Thanks Man cave dweller (Awesome Name LOL) I hope this attachment is right.
Stacy

[stick]

Maybe this is better.







--THC on and off codes. Use nil if you don't want THC control e.g:
-- thcOnCode = nil
-- thcOffCode = nil

--here is another example that use M667 and M666
--thcOnCode = " M205"
--thcOffCode = " M206"
--************************************************
--*** Set these values up to suit your machine ***
--************************************************

--this is the distance between each torch reference in MILLIMETRES
refDistance = 1

--this is the reference feed rate in mm/min
refFeed = 2540

--Put your switch offset value here in MILLIMETRES
switchOffset = 5.334

--Scriber X,Y,Z offsets in MILLIMETRES. Do not use inches here even if you want inch code
--Use the special code 'nil' on the Z axis to disable it.
--In that case no Z values will be output at all while scribing.
--e.g scriberZ = nil
scriberX = 110
scriberY = 220
scriberZ = 0

--scriber axis. Leave this as nil if the scriber is fixed to the same axis as the torch
--scriberAxis = "A"
scriberAxis = nil

--If this value is set to true then use G28 (home) for the Z reference
--Set it to false for G31 probe
refHome = false

--The cutter will slow down for corners and turn off THC below this radius
slowRadius = 10

--Minimum slow down speed.
--This is a scale factor. For instance 0.5 = 50% of the current feed rate
slowPercent = 0.4

thcOnCode = M205
thcOffCode = M206

--************************************************
--*** End of settings ***
--************************************************



function OnAbout(event)
ctrl = event:GetTextCtrl()
ctrl:AppendText("plasma MP1000-THC post processor with engraver\n")
ctrl:AppendText("\n")
ctrl:AppendText("Modal G-codes and coordinates\n")
ctrl:AppendText("Comments enclosed with ( and )\n")
ctrl:AppendText("M03/M05 turn the torch on/off\n")
ctrl:AppendText("M08/M09 turn the engraver on/off\n")
ctrl:AppendText("Incremental IJ - set in mach2\n")
ctrl:AppendText("The torch is referenced at cut start and every 500mm of movement thereafter\n")
ctrl:AppendText("Designed for use with Mach3 and CandCNC MP1000-THC and Floating head Touch-n-Go\n")
ctrl:AppendText("Post variables:\n")
ctrl:AppendText("refDistance - set the distance between each reference\n")
ctrl:AppendText("refFeed - set the feed rate when referencing\n")
ctrl:AppendText("switchOffset - set your net switch offset amount \n")
ctrl:AppendText("Scriber uses any tool number\n")
ctrl:AppendText("slowRadius - slow down below this radius\n")
ctrl:AppendText("slowPercent - minimum percentage to slow down\n")
end



-- created 1/1/06
-- Based on plasma1.post


-- Modified 21/6/2010
-- added option for 'nil' plate marker z
-- Added support for plate marker tool type as well as tool number based plate marker

-- Modified 4/11/2010
-- Added: Reference the torch on the first pen down if the plate marker is the first tool used.


post.DefineVariable("refDistance",sc.unitLINEAR,0,1e17)
post.DefineVariable("refFeed",sc.unitFEED,0,1e17)
post.DefineVariable("switchOffset",sc.unitLINEAR,-1e17,1e17)
post.DefineVariable("slowRadius",sc.unitLINEAR,-1e17,1e17)
post.DefineVariable("slowPercent",sc.unitPERCENT,-1e17,1e17)

function OnInit()

offX = 0
offY = 0
offZ = 0

post.SetCommentChars ("()", "[]") --make sure ( and ) characters do not appear in system text
post.Text (" (Filename: ", fileName, ")\n")
post.Text (" (Post processor: ", postName, ")\n")
post.Text (" (Date: ", date, ")\n")
if(scale == metric) then
post.Text (" G21 (Units: Metric)\n") --metric mode
else
post.Text (" G20 (Units: Inches)\n") --inch mode
end
post.Text (" F1\n G53 G90 G40\n")
minArcSize = 0.2 --arcs smaller than this are converted to moves
firstRef = true
currentZAxis = "Z"

dist = 9999999
lastz = 0
thcstate = 1
ThcOff()
end

function OnNewLine()
post.Text ("N")
post.Number (lineNumber, "0000")
lineNumber = lineNumber + 10
end


function OnFinish()
endZ = safeZ
OnRapid()
endX = 0
endY = 0
offX = 0
offY = 0
offZ = 0
OnRapid()
post.Text (" M05 M30\n")
end

function OnRapid()
if(endX > 1e17 and endY > 1e17) then return end
local len = math.hypot((endX + offX)-currentX , (endY + offY)-currentY)
dist = dist + len
post.ModalText (" G00")
post.ModalNumber (" X", (endX + offX) * scale, "0.0000")
post.ModalNumber (" Y", (endY + offY) * scale, "0.0000")
if(offZ and firstRef == false and currentZ ~= safeZ) then
post.ModalNumber (" " .. currentZAxis, (endZ + offZ) * scale, "0.0000")
end
post.Eol()
end

function OnMove()
local len = math.hypot(endX - currentX , endY - currentY)
dist = dist + len
if(len > slowRadius) then
ThcOn()
end
post.ModalText (" G01")
post.ModalNumber (" X", (endX + offX) * scale, "0.0000")
post.ModalNumber (" Y", (endY + offY) * scale, "0.0000")
if(offZ) then
post.ModalNumber (" " .. currentZAxis, (endZ + offZ) * scale, "0.0000")
end
post.ModalNumber (" F", feedRate * scale, "0.0###")
post.Eol()
end

function OnArc()
local radius = math.hypot(currentX - arcCentreX, currentY - arcCentreY)
dist = dist + radius * math.abs(arcAngle)

if (radius < slowRadius) and (math.abs(arcAngle) > 0.5) then
feed = (radius / slowRadius)
if(feed < slowPercent) then
feed = slowPercent
end
feed = feed * feedRate
ThcOff()
else
feed = feedRate
ThcOn()
end
if(arcAngle <0) then
post.ModalText (" G03")
else
post.ModalText (" G02")
end
post.ModalNumber (" X", (endX + offX) * scale, "0.0000")
post.ModalNumber (" Y", (endY + offY) * scale, "0.0000")
if(offZ) then
post.ModalNumber (" " .. currentZAxis, (endZ + offZ) * scale, "0.0000")
end
post.Text (" I")
post.Number ((arcCentreX - currentX) * scale, "0.0000")
post.Text (" J")
post.Number ((arcCentreY - currentY) * scale, "0.0000")
post.ModalNumber (" F", feed * scale, "0.0###")
post.Eol()
end


function ThcOff()
if(not thcOffCode) then return end
if(thcstate ==1) then
thcstate = 0
post.Text(thcOffCode)
post.Text(" M206(THC off)\n");
end
end

function ThcOn()
if(not thcOnCode) then return end
if(toolClass == "MarkerTool") or tool > 99 then return end
if(thcstate ==0) then
thcstate = 1
post.Text(thcOnCode)
post.Text(" M205(THC on)\n");
return
end
if(thcstate == 2) then
thcstate = 0
end
end


function OnPenDown()
if(toolClass == "MarkerTool") or tool > 99 then
if (firstRef) then
Reference()
post.ModalText (" G00")
post.Text(" Z")
post.Number (safeZ * scale, "0.0000")
post.Eol()
offX = scriberX
offY = scriberY
offZ = scriberZ
post.ModalNumber (" X", (currentX + offX) * scale, "0.0000")
post.ModalNumber (" Y", (currentY + offY) * scale, "0.0000")
post.Eol()
end
if (offZ) then
post.ModalNumber (" " .. currentZAxis, (currentZ + offZ) * scale, "0.0000")
post.Eol()
end
post.Text(" M08 9(spindle on)\n")
else
if(dist >= refDistance) then
dist = 0
Reference();
end
post.ModalText (" G00")
post.Text(" Z")
post.Number (pierceHeight * scale, "0.0000")
post.Eol()
if (preheat > 0) then
post.Text ("\n G04 P")
post.Number (preheat,"0.###")
post.Eol()
end
post.Text ("\n M213\n M03 (torch on)\n")
end
if (pierceDelay > 0) then
post.Text (" G04 P")
post.Number (pierceDelay,"0.###")
post.Eol()
end
-- thcstate = 2 --leave THC off for plunge move
end


function Reference()
firstRef = false
if (refHome) then
post.Text (" G31 F50 Z-50\n")
-- post.ModalText(" G28.1 Z")
-- post.Number(3 * scale, "0.00")
else
post.ModalText(" G31 Z -100")
end
-- post.ModalNumber (" F", refFeed * scale, "0.0###")
--post.Eol()
post.ModalText(" G92 Z0.0\n")
post.ModalText (" G00")
post.Text(" Z")
post.Number (switchOffset * scale, "0.0000")
post.Eol()
post.ModalText(" G92 Z0.0\n")
end

function OnPenUp()
if(tool > 99) then
post.Text(" M09\n")
else
post.Text (" M214\n M05 (torch off)\n")
end
if (endDelay > 0) then
post.Text (" G04 P")
post.Number (endDelay,"0.###")
post.Eol()
end
end


function OnNewOperation()
post.Text (" (Operation: ", operationName, ")\n")
end

function OnToolChange()
if (toolClass == "MarkerTool" or tool > 99 ) then
ThcOff()
if(scriberAxis and scriberAxis ~= currentZAxis) then
endZ = safeZ
OnRapid()
currentZAxis = scriberAxis
end
if(firstRef ~= true) then
offX = scriberX
offY = scriberY
offZ = scriberZ
end
else
if(scriberAxis and scriberAxis == currentZAxis) then
endZ = safeZ
OnRapid()
currentZAxis = "Z"
end
offX = 0
offY = 0
offZ = 0
end
end

function OnNewPart()
post.Text(" (Part: ",partName,")\n");
end

function OnDrill()
OnRapid()
currentX = endX
currentY = endY
OnPenDown()
endZ = drillZ
OnMove()
OnPenUp()
endZ = safeZ
OnRapid()
end


function OnComment()
post.Text(" (",commentText,")\n")
end

[Les Newell]

Go to Options->machine->post processor and click on the 'Edit post' button. Look for function Reference(). It's about 3/4 of the way down the file.
Now look for these two lines a little way down:

Code: Select all

-- post.ModalNumber (" F", refFeed * scale, "0.0###")
--post.Eol()

Change them to:

Code: Select all

 post.ModalNumber (" F", refFeed * scale, "0.0###")
 post.Eol()

Now near the top of the file you will see this line:

Code: Select all

refFeed = 2540

Change the number to set the reference feed rate.

[stick]

Awesome. It looks like I remove the dashes. What would you recommend for reference speed?
Thanks

[Les Newell]

Try using your normal plunge rate.

[stick]

Hello, I want to thank you guys for your help. I spent alot of time trying to figure out my problem for myself. The help I recieved was perfect and I'm up and running well. I'm happy to be part of a forum that is helpful and kind to the newbies. Knowing I have this awesome knowledge base at my fingertips makes learning a new hobby a pleasure.
Stacy

[robertspark]

you may be better to have a look at the plasma spider forum as that has a lot of traffic and deals with plasmacnc.

this forum is a bit specific to sheetcam and tends to get less footfall as it's quite specific

happy cutting.