Setting up a new machine.
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:05 am
I am new to this board and have explored Sheetcam a bit and find it a nice program and easy to understand, no real problems with the software yet.
I am using Corel Draw to produce the DXF files, not problems there either.
I am building a new plasma machine and am having a few problems that I have not been able to sort out myself.
Have downloaded Sheetcam and got it running OK, and feel that I may be able to work out how to use the software well enough.
The machine will be using an Arduino nano, GRBL 1.1h, and UGCS. No THC at this stage, although I have designed the machine with a Z axis and also a floating head.
Running the softwares on the screen everything seems to go smoothly as it should, but this may be different in real life when the machine is actually using it.
I realize that this is not strictly a Sheetcam issue, it is really a GRBL/Arduino issue, but I have not been successful in finding any help elsewhere, so I hope I am not treading on any toes by asking here.
I have tried using the GRBL post processor and that appears to work fine on the screen. I also tried the GRBL post processor with THC and had a problem because there was no real probe switch, so I will try that processor again when the machine is complete.
The problems I am having are with the M3, M4 codes. I have a relay module connected to D13 on the nano for switching the plasma trigger circuit, but it starts in the switched on mode and I have to send a M4 to turn it off. This would be very dangerous with a torch connected and firing on startup.
In the post processor I had to make some changes as I cannot get M5 to work. M4 seems to be the only way I can turn the plasma off, so I modified the post processor by changing the 7 occurrences of M5 to M4 and it all seems to work fine on the screen.
I have also tried using D11, and for some reason it stopped working, maybe I have damaged the nano?? but while it was working I had the same issues.
I think the problem may be that the relay module is a low level type, and is on when starting up. I have ordered some high/low level relay modules to see if I can correct this problem that I have.
I also noticed that using the same relay module for the coolant, using A3 pin, the relay works in reverse to what it should, M9 to turn on and M8 to turn off, but in UGCS the buttons show the opposite (correct way) So I am thinking that maybe it is the same issue with both relays.
After getting this all sorted out, I am sure that I will also need some help in fine tuning Sheetcam as I am only guessing what is needed for the settings, no information on using my plasma came with it, so it is all hit or miss at present. The plasma cutter is a CUT50 with pilot arc (Chinese machine)
I am using Corel Draw to produce the DXF files, not problems there either.
I am building a new plasma machine and am having a few problems that I have not been able to sort out myself.
Have downloaded Sheetcam and got it running OK, and feel that I may be able to work out how to use the software well enough.
The machine will be using an Arduino nano, GRBL 1.1h, and UGCS. No THC at this stage, although I have designed the machine with a Z axis and also a floating head.
Running the softwares on the screen everything seems to go smoothly as it should, but this may be different in real life when the machine is actually using it.
I realize that this is not strictly a Sheetcam issue, it is really a GRBL/Arduino issue, but I have not been successful in finding any help elsewhere, so I hope I am not treading on any toes by asking here.
I have tried using the GRBL post processor and that appears to work fine on the screen. I also tried the GRBL post processor with THC and had a problem because there was no real probe switch, so I will try that processor again when the machine is complete.
The problems I am having are with the M3, M4 codes. I have a relay module connected to D13 on the nano for switching the plasma trigger circuit, but it starts in the switched on mode and I have to send a M4 to turn it off. This would be very dangerous with a torch connected and firing on startup.
In the post processor I had to make some changes as I cannot get M5 to work. M4 seems to be the only way I can turn the plasma off, so I modified the post processor by changing the 7 occurrences of M5 to M4 and it all seems to work fine on the screen.
I have also tried using D11, and for some reason it stopped working, maybe I have damaged the nano?? but while it was working I had the same issues.
I think the problem may be that the relay module is a low level type, and is on when starting up. I have ordered some high/low level relay modules to see if I can correct this problem that I have.
I also noticed that using the same relay module for the coolant, using A3 pin, the relay works in reverse to what it should, M9 to turn on and M8 to turn off, but in UGCS the buttons show the opposite (correct way) So I am thinking that maybe it is the same issue with both relays.
After getting this all sorted out, I am sure that I will also need some help in fine tuning Sheetcam as I am only guessing what is needed for the settings, no information on using my plasma came with it, so it is all hit or miss at present. The plasma cutter is a CUT50 with pilot arc (Chinese machine)