Modifying your Hypertherm Powermax Plasma Hand Torch to work with a CNC Plasma Cutter

[@3dmakerzone75]

Thanks for the video. I just got a used Powermax 45xp with a hand torch that I want to connect to my diy plasma table. I didn't know there was a lockout. So your video saved me a lot of time trying to figure out why it wasn't working.

[@irionmotorsports]

Haha, yeah I wish I had known. I wasted a good bit of time trying to figure out what the problem was. I thought maybe I had the wrong pins, or the arcdroid was malfunctioning.

[@roadiesgarage3816]

Easy solution for safety sake pit in a manual disconnect in-between the torch and the high-voltage side of the machine or shutdown the box when changing consumables.

[@tonyfreidhoff2527]

If you turn the switch off, will the hand torch act like normal? I would like to use mine on the arcdroid as well as free hand.

[@irionmotorsports]

Yes, you can still operate the hand torch whether the switch is off or on. The only reason to turn the switch off is for safety, so the cnc can't switch the torch on when you're not ready for it.

[@leeupchurchii141]

I didn’t see where you attached 2 wires to back of arc droid to connect to plasma ?

[@irionmotorsports]

The connection to the arcdroid just uses the standard cnc connector.

[@yvonlessard2974]

@@irionmotorsports which wire (color) of the powermax to connect to the arcdroid?

[@irionmotorsports]

I used a 023206 machine interface harness and connected the black and green wire pair to the torch pins on the arcdroid.

[@rsz90182]

If I have a relay to press the torch switch why do I need this?

[@irionmotorsports]

Hypertherm has a safety in place to keep the hand torch from being accidently fired by the cnc interface. If you want to use your hand torch with a cnc machine, you need to find some way to bypass this safety feature. This is one possible way.

[@hausmanaaronw]

Arcdroid says it doesnt work with hifreq plasma cutters. Is that not true? Any issues?

[@irionmotorsports]

I haven't heard this, but none of the hypertherm plasma torches are HF start. They use blowback, which is a newer technology. I'm not sure why Andrew says it doesn't work with HF start torches, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it.

[@hausmanaaronw]

@@irionmotorsports I did not know that. Thanks.

[@3dmakerzone75]

The reason HF start plasma cutters are not recommended is because they cause electrical interference with CNC electronics.

[@irionmotorsports]

That makes sense