CNC Recommendation/Help

[zoama]

For others who may want to run a modern computer that doesn't have a parallel port, there are lots of pci-e to parallel port cards available for very little money. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&Pagesize=100

[acourtjester]

Lets keep the OLD fart stuff far away I just turned 70 and I still enjoy building these things.
I have cut 1/4" steel with 40 amps from my Everlast PM 256 tig/plasma (60 amp max output) no problems. With a handheld torch adapted to my table. Many guys use handheld torches look on youtube. You are right about the duty cycle but that is only if you are cutting big parts or many at the same time. I just finished my second table build and have used both handheld and machine torches there does not seem to be a big difference, the machine torch is easier to mount and keep straight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdG9_ZQSxCg

[In Utopia]

New toys are supposed to be here Friday. Then I can get started on a table. Plan is to have locking rubber caster wheels and no water. Fumes are not going to be an issue, I'll just put a sheet metal pan below to catch stuff coming down. That's what I'm doing now, never had a problem.
Also, I'm just a few steps away from 70, and am proud to have earned ( at least I think so) the right to call myself an old fart.
And by the way stay off my grass. LOL

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[everlastsupport]

Keep us posted on the project, parts and software. So gotorch (2x2) for $3000, old computer, PP50/70, and a cable so far.

Did you get a deal on the gotorch or retail?

[In Utopia]

I'll keep you posted as much as possible, I'll have to leave it for about 10 days next Wed., then I'll be back up here to get it going. Called Plasma Cam tech support, and it sounds like I'll be ready to go cable wise.

So far I've learned it is an internet only sale site, no phone number, but it is a Plasma Cam being shipped from Colorado. Should be here Friday unless they close the roads up there because of snow.

Here's the deal: http://www.gotorch.com/

If anyone can post pics of what I'll need for a table I'd really appreciate it.

[In Utopia]

Finally had time to get things put together. Quality of the machine is fantastic, directions a bit sketchy. Have had too many irons in the fire to keep on it like I'd like to but that's just life in the country. One big disappointment is the lack of customer support with that setup. Completely satisfied with the Everlast 70 ask, with one exception air supply fittings leaking on both ends from the filter into the machine. Never really liked those kind of pushing fittings to start with.
Having a problem with the software for the machine, can't get it to load using the customer codes. One problem is the computer I'm using is not Internet capable. This means I have to try to get the code on one computer right down half 1 million numbers transferred over to the other machine and it still won't take it. With some patients I should be able to manage getting that straightened out. Now my only problem is I have to leave the machine here in the country and go back to the big city for two weeks and then come back up and play some more.
Plan is to build the cutting table, and a rollaround cart for the plasma machine, next trip.


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[acourtjester]

Transfer of code should be easy, do a copy and paste to a jump (thumb) drive via USB and bring it to the other machine do another copy and paste there. Code can be recognized in two forms .TAP files and Notepad files. I don’t know what software you are using to control the table but if its Mach 3 when you edit code in Mach 3 it displays it in Notepad and you can change things there and save and exit and it goes back to Mach 3 changed.

Have fun
Tom

[Rambozo]

Transfer of code should be easy, do a copy and paste to a jump (thumb) drive via USB and bring it to the other machine do another copy and paste there. Code can be recognized in two forms .TAP files and Notepad files. I don’t know what software you are using to control the table but if its Mach 3 when you edit code in Mach 3 it displays it in Notepad and you can change things there and save and exit and it goes back to Mach 3 changed.

Have fun
Tom

I think he is talking about the software key to install his software, but he could also sneakernet that with a USB drive as well. PlasmaCAM has their own control program, and since GoTorch is made by them, I would guess they use the same.

[In Utopia]

I think he is talking about the software key to install his software, but he could also sneakernet that with a USB drive as well. PlasmaCAM has their own control program, and since GoTorch is made by them, I would guess they use the same.

Ok, now that I'm 300 miles from the machine, maybe this will come out right.
I was talking about the software key to finish installing the Plasma Cam software. Plasma Cam technical will not help you even though it's their software package.
Got to the point where it put the icon on the desktop. Clicked on it, got their long code from it.
Went to the internet computer and entered the code.
Copied the response and put into to the required area after checking single user, and just software. That didn't work tried several other choices on machine type, but never could get it to acknowledge what I had entered.
Also, it said I needed a connection between the controller and the computer. Already had that buy using the serial to SCSI (think that's right) cable I got from my neighbor. In any event it was the proper cable.
The computer that was used seemed OK, but then again I'm not a PC guru.
Now that I'm back at home base I'm going to use another dedicated PC I have, have my IT guy set it up for wi-fi, wipe everything that may be on the HD, make sure the serial port is in order, then install the software on it using the internet connection to get the right code. I'm hoping this will work since this is single user software and I did try to install it on one PC already. This will happen this weekend when my IT guy has a couple of days off.
Now if you think that's confusing, you should see what it all looks like through my eyes.
I've had to many irons in the fire the last two weeks, and now that I've put out some of the small brush fires I can better concentrate on these problems.

Won't be back there until about May 9, I'll give an update then.

[Rambozo]

It's not SCSI, that's for sure. PlasmaCam runs on a parallel port. Trying to unlock software on a machine that has no internet access, is never easy. Those keys are meant to be cut and pasted, not written down and typed. Different fonts can even make it unclear what is what, l 1 O 0. One way is to use a USB key to move the code and response, another is to move the computer to where you can give it internet access. Every software package is different, but often you can install the software without the CNC connected. You can't run it, as it will give you an error, but you can do the install, then move the computer back to the garage and plug in the CNC to go to the next step. It's a pain, and I think you will be happier to have an expert do it for you. Also I would do whatever you need to to give that machine internet access anyway. There are so many times you will want to grab some code or a design or clipart to use and having to sneaker net it gets old in a real hurry. If possible go with a wired connection as wireless and plasma do not mix well. Just run some CAT-5 cable from where you have internet to where your plasma is setup.

[In Utopia]

Here's what ended up plugging in.
Centronics 36


http://www.cablestogo.com/support/co...des/centronics

[Rambozo]

Here's what ended plugging in.
Centronics 36
http://www.cablestogo.com/support/co...des/centronics

Yup, just a plain jane parallel port printer cable.

[In Utopia]

What ever the name, at least that's another problem out of the way.
Now I'm trying to reload for the next batch that comes my way.

Thanks for the internet tip.
Don't know if the laptop in the shop has a cat 5 connection, but I'm guessing it should. Also it's getting it's signal from the router in the house if that makes any difference.

[Rambozo]

What ever the name, at least that's another problem out of the way.
Now I'm trying to reload for the next batch that comes my way.

Thanks for the internet tip.
Don't know if the laptop in the shop has a cat 5 connection, but I'm guessing it should. Also it's getting it's signal from the router in the house if that makes any difference.

Ideally you would run a cable from your router in the house out to the shop. I'd be willing to bet that when the plasma is running your wireless connection will probably drop out, where the cable won't have that problem. Putting a wireless card in your CNC computer would give you the same problems. Using your laptop to route the signal from wireless to wired makes things even more complex so if networking is not your thing, you might want to pass on that, too. You might think that you will not need internet while you're actually cutting or welding, so the wireless dropout wouldn't be a big deal. The problem is that other programs, as well as the OS will not like the connection being intermittent. Some will pop up dialogs to tell you that the connection is lost and so on. Well the CNC software needs to not have interruptions while it's cutting, as pauses even for fractions of a second can mess up your cut, and sometimes even cause the CNC to abort the program.

One more thing, you mentioned that the software didn't detect the control even though you had it plugged in. Unfortunately, there are a few different versions of those db25 to centronics36 parallel cables. Some real old ones are uni-directional cables just for really old printers while others are bi-directional for newer printers and other devices. Typically they will say IEEE-1284 somewhere on them if they are the newer type. I suspect that PlasmaCAM requires the new type.

[In Utopia]

Back in the big city, found this freebie ten minutes from the house, nothing on the cable, just this on the ends. Think it's OK?



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[Rambozo]

Cables are cheap, get one you know is right. It's not worth the frustration. Virtually every 1284 cable I've ever seen has that either written on the cable or molded into the ends.

[In Utopia]

Got the right one on the way.

[In Utopia]

Okay finally got the right 1284 cable now I'm faced with hooking up the remainder of the cables. Just read that superlong sticky about how to hook this stuff up and my head is still spinning from the wealth of information that isn't there. Can anyone tell me or show me how (in layman's language) or where all these connections and connectors go. I don't need or want to hear about about Omhs or anything else I don't understand, electricity and I are not friends, and I'd hate to let the smoke out, cause when you do that, things don't work anymore. At this point, plasma cam tech help is of no help.

What I'm really hoping for is that someone has already hooked up a Plasma Cam system to an Everlast cutter, in my case a 70s, got theirs up and running without letting the smoke out.





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[Rambozo]

For a basic system you just need to hook up pins 1 and 2 to the torch control on your CNC. Depending on your software you will probably set the Plasma in the 2T switch position. If the torch only comes on for a brief moment at the start of the cut, set the switch to the 4T position. If you are using a torch height control or need to use the arc good signal, it is beyond the scope of a brief forum post to guide you through that.

[SeanMurphy265]

I've emailed with Plasma Cam and they have told me Everlast Plasma cutters will work with their THC. From what I have been told their THC will work with any plasma cutter.