How to set up Mach3 to use THC (Plasma Torch Height Control)

warp9td.com/in...
Since I don't have a plasma cutting rig, I made a little microprocessor simulator so I can verify functionality. I have tested it with my friend's rig, and it works as expected.
Obviously you would not want your torch oscillating up and down while cutting, but it serves well as a hardware test example.

[@leosilva1036]

Hello how I do to install in my mach3 software the pluggins controls?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

+Leonidas Silva I run the forums at Warp9TD.com and the forums are a better place to ask for help like this than in the KZbin comments section: warp9td.com/index.php/kunena/index However, we have a Getting Started guide that should help you setup and install your plugin for your SmoothStepper: warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted Specifically for your question: 1) Download the ESS or USS plugin for Mach3 warp9td.com/index.php/sw 2) Unzip it and double click on the 'plugin name'.m3p file. 3) Mach3 will rename the file and save it as 'plugin name'.dll in "C:\Mach3\Plugins\" 4) Follow the rest of the Getting Started guide to setup your Mach3 Profile for your hardware. Thanks! Andy

[@Warp9TechDesign]

KZbin is not letting me reply to Leonidas Silva...

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

any new news on that thc smooth stepper software updates?

[@rbmgf71]

Hello. I am using the USB SS and there isn't a THC mode checkbox in the config screen. I'm using v17fe. However, Mach3 is seeing the arc OK, up, and down signals.

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Hi, The USS FPGA is too small to handle THC functionality. If you look at out product Details page, you will see that the USS does not support THC. Sorry. warp9td.com/index.php/products

[@steveu235]

I have a Robo3 stand alone torch height controller. When i activate the THC button and the green light goes on my table doesn't move and the torch just stays there and burns for about 20 seconds, then cuts out. It runs well when the THC button is not activated any idea why that could be happening. Also I have no plugins to select. I have a license for Mach3. Thanks

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Hi Steve, Are you using an ESS (Ethernet SmoothStepper)? If yes, warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach If yes, make sure you installed the ESS plugin. Then here is our THC guide for Mach3. warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach#THC Andy

[@cbrown979]

Do you need to change anything in Mach3 when upgrading to a larger torch? We are going from Hypertherm Powermax 45 to a Hypertherm Powermax 65.

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Hi, You will likely need to cut at a faster feed rate and your target tip voltages will change as well. However, those are settings for your GCode and height controller, not a Mach3 setting per say.

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

Any idea wheb you guys might be releasing the thc updates for the smooth stepper and mach 4?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

That is the area of active development, and it is where our focus is. I am hoping for a November release, but if things get crazy it may slide into December.

[@Enrx90]

dose these steps are the same for THC step/dir mode ??

[@Donniem70]

I do not have anything under my "plugin control" tab. What would be the issue?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Are you using an Ethernet SmoothStepper, and have you installed the current ESS plugin for Mach3? I run the forums at Warp9TD.com and the forums are a better place to ask for help like this than in the KZbin comments section: warp9td.com/index.php/kunena/index

[@billpearre9994]

I don't have a config line under the plug in. How do I get it? I have everything else setup and ready.

[@Warp9TechDesign]

It is called "Main Config: ESS**********" now. If you have more questions, please ask them at the Warp9TD.com forum. Thanks!

[@brooksdw]

I cant seem to get it to work in program mode

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Make sure you are using ESS plugin build Mach3 181218 for up down THC. warp9td.com/index.php/sw#PluginEssMachThree

[@cicciofranco405]

Compliment from Palermo . :-)) francescopa.

[@cicciofranco405]

Happy

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

when exactly will you guys be releasing the thc update?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

It will be at least a couple weeks yet, we have been bogged down with support and the other feature we are wrapping up at the moment.

[@ernestorodriguez416]

Hi, my mach3 does not have the plug in that you load at minute 1:12, and therefore, the screen of general configuration is not the same as the one that appear in my screen, so I can not mark the "THC mode". Could you tell me how to get that plug in?? Thanks in advance, Ernesto.

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Hi, Ernesto, You need to be running an ESS (Ethernet SmoothStepper) to use our plugin, which you can get from here warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach Let me know if you need more help, Andy

[@Warp9TechDesign]

@Andrew Crews The ESS connects to your PC via Ethernet and provides replacements for 3 parallel ports (among other things). Existing parallel port BOBs can connect to the ESS. Please read this page (and the ones that follow it) for more information: warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/what-is-a-smoothstepper

[@Warp9TechDesign]

@Andrew Crews You are welcome. I only work with and support SmoothSteppers, and I know that we had to do quite a bit internally to support THC. I am not sure that Mach3 and the parallel port can do THC. Also Mach3 was replaced by Mach4 over 5 years ago, and Mach3 is basically legacy software. Almost all new machines are Mach4 (at least any that are supported).

[@Warp9TechDesign]

@Andrew Crews I can't speak as to the responsiveness of the Proma unit itself. However, the ESS's FPGA responds to what the Proma is commanding on the Up and Down pins within 1 ms for the Z motor step pulses. But if you want to see really fast (velocity commands instead of just direction commands), with multiple anti dive options, look at the video of the TMC3in1 cutting corrugated metal here: documentation.warp9td.com/Hardware/TMC3in1/00_Intro.htm

[@Warp9TechDesign]

@Andrew Crews Once you have it tuned in for your rig, SheetCam + Mach4 makes it a breeze to cut. One other note is that your Z axis motor needs to be fast enough to keep up with corrugated if you are going to do that.

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

so will there be a mach 4 interface screen for the thc?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

There will need to be...

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

ok cool

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

i have a smooth stepper......will it work for mach 4?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

We are finally going to start implementing THC for the ESS in Mach4 starting next week.

[@OKVanAutoUpholsteryBellGardens]

amazing!!! that's phenomenal news.......so you'll be releasing a new software update we could download then? how will i get it to work?

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Once we finish the update to the plugin, we will post an update in our Forum under Plugin Releases. You download the new plugin, and it will work very similarly to how it works in Mach3. Follow us at warp9td.com/Forum for all the details.

[@gagangfebrianto2016]

Sir, I use thc proma can help me to configure in mach3. May I know your email. Thanks.

[@Warp9TechDesign]

Please ask more detailed questions, like this one, in our Forum: warp9td.com/index.php/kunena/index