Plate marker settings..

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 7:56 pm

Plate marker settings..

I have not messed with any setting for my Plate marker, but I wanted to find out something first.. I have my air scribe setup solid on my carriage. Meaning the air slide controls all movements up, and down for the air marker.. I don't want my Z to move my plasma torch at all, when using my marker.. I have Tom's 3100 THC, and will use the Scriber post processor for it.. What do I have to modify to get zero z moments when Using the Plate marker.. Seems like they all ref. the plasma torch on the first move. (just reading around the net.. Just don't want things to mess up when I go back to using the plasma torch, after using the marker.. Still would like the option to cut with the torch after marking the piece. (layers)

Thanks,
Scott

PK · Post by PK » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:53 pm

I have my scribe mounted beside my torch. The scribe also has an air slide. I don't know how you can work this without moving the Z axis at all.

All settings for my scribe's location are relative to the torch's location. In order to operate the scribe at the correct height, my controller needs to touch-off the torch to find the correct height depending on the material thickness. after that, then the torch-to-scribe offset is used to locate the scribe.

HTH
Paul

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 3:29 am

PK wrote:I have my scribe mounted beside my torch. The scribe also has an air slide. I don't know how you can work this without moving the Z axis at all.

All settings for my scribe's location are relative to the torch's location. In order to operate the scribe at the correct height, my controller needs to touch-off the torch to find the correct height depending on the material thickness. after that, then the torch-to-scribe offset is used to locate the scribe.

HTH
Paul

I have no need for a reference. It's on the carriage of the z. So only offset is just the X and Y for the torch placement. The scribe floats on it's own rail after the slide extends. Seem to work perfect with only the weight of the air scribe. I can add weight or a adjustable spring if I need more dig.. I have a Dotco scribe, and it seems like the perfect tool for my marking needs.. If I am doing thicker then 2 inch, then I will have a issue, but there are easy work a rounds for me.. Just adjust the stroke adjustment ,and set a stop for travel. It could care less on air pressure on the slide for the most part. I have valves to slow the stroke speed, but they are fully open and it work just fine. So the plasma z reference is not needed at all with my setup. Just want it not to move, that's all.

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 6:48 am

I guess I just need to know witch plate marker post to use with my CandCnc MP3100 DTHC 1V. Setup with the latest download upgrade.(and the right up to date mach for it?) Other stuff does not really matter until I get the correct post processor.

Just jogging the gantry It's getting nice lines, and no issues at 100 ipm no hangups at all..

Thanks,
Scott

Post by **Les Newell** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:38 am

Does it matter that it references the torch? Apart from the short time taken to reference it should not make any difference to the scribing or any later plasma cuts.

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 2:56 pm

Les Newell wrote:Does it matter that it references the torch? Apart from the short time taken to reference it should not make any difference to the scribing or any later plasma cuts.

Found out it does not really matter.. I also found what I needed. Just switched my Table Aux to #2 . All the posts seem to trigger that # instead of the #3 like I thought. I did set one of the settings to false, to allow for only one check of the torch at first, and no movement until before the very last one..

It was a post I already had running my Plasma (MP3000 DTHC II + Scriber)

I have a little fine tuning, but it works pretty well.. These are a few tests.. 1 -2 inch tall. Looks better in person, but it's still a start..

MS, and aluminum.

Les,
Thanks for replying.. I winged the whole thing, and with the Dotco marker, ended up costing about $325.00 US... Have to love Mach/Sheetcam/Candcnc for allowing upgrades like this.. For the simple first time/ one time fee..

Scott

Post by **Les Newell** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:32 pm

Just switched my Table Aux to #2 . All the posts seem to trigger that # instead of the #3 like I thought.

That is set in Mach3. The scriber is just set up as a coolant output. You can define where the coolant is connected in ports and pins.

One trick for decorative work is to use a pocketing operation with the scriber. The pocketing operation is not designed for plasma use so you have to fudge it a bit. Most plasma/scriber posts will accept a tool with a number greater then 100 as a scriber tool even if it isn't actually a scriber.

If you define a milling cutter with a tool number greater than 100 and do a pocket with it, your post will probably accept it as a scriber. Not all posts work this way so if you do try this keep your hand over the estop first time you run it in case it does something unexpected.

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 6:35 am

Les,
I can't seem to get the offsets to work correctly.. The z is fine.. The torch ref, in the right spot, Moves over right by the scribe work. Then the scribe comes down, and does it thing correctly. The plasma torch moves back over the amount of offset I put in the Post processor. It's in MM like it needs. If I put a - in front of the # offset # the torch will set it Reference right by zero- zero, and then the scribe moves over the distance I put in the offset toward positive, and scribes, then the torch will be at the o-o place, and start it's movement. It's leaving something out it needs to make it work correctly..

Unless I am messing a step, I don't quite get it?

Thanks,
Scott

edit,
I am able to export the layers separately, and it plate marks, and plasma cuts just like it should..

Post by **Les Newell** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:20 pm

That is a bug in the post. It doesn't reset the offsets when you change back to a plasma tool. I have attached a fixed version.

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 5:16 pm

Les,
I will give it a shot.. I tried using other post processors for my 3100 DTHC 1V setup, but not good at all.. Latest upgrade, and all. I'm sure if I played with them and posted info here it would get fixed.. Most all seem to be geared for Hypertherm, and soft touch setups.

This one always worked well for plasma. I really have not tried Sheetcam rules with it much, to see if it's compatible. Seems like some work with it,and other don't. That would be the only reason to change to another one, now that the Scribe is fixed..

Scott

Scott V · Post by **Scott V** » Fri Dec 25, 2015 5:17 am

Les,
works perfect now..

Thanks,
Scott