UCCNC Configuration for THC-3 on 
C76 or C94

Used software: UCCNC Version 1.2115. 

https://www.cncdrive.com/UCCNC/setup_1.2115.exe

Screen and Macros

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/UCCNC_THC-3 V.2.2.zip

THC-3 FIRMWARE: FF6V3

Overview:

There are two ways of commanding the plasma cutting sequence.  You could command all the actions using gcode commands (M3/M5 to as torch on/off, G31 for probing, and G4 for piercing delays) or you could set all the operating parameters and just command the plasma using the M32/M52 macros.  These instructions will configure the system to use it both ways.  

M32 Macro performs the following actions:

  1. Probes or moves down the Z axis to the "Z Min. height" position that is set in the DRO for this value and the feed that is set in "Probing feed rate".
  2. Verifies that the Probing Enable is disengaged if the option is checked in the config "Check probe disable".
  3. Set the current position to be the new Z = Zero considering the Z Offset if a Floating Head is used.
  4. Moves the Z up at max velocity to the piercing position or DRO = HEIGHT.
  5. Turn on the Torch.
  6. Wait for pierce time or DRO = THC Delay.
  7. Moves the Z up at max velocity to the cut position or DRO = CUT HEIGHT.
  8. Activate THC.

M52 Macro performs the following actions:

  1. Turns the torch off.
  2. Deactivates the THC.
  3. Moves the Z axis at max speed to the position where it would be safe to move at max velocity to the next cutting position.  This is DRO =Z Top.

The screen holds the new DRO values and also has the code that will enable the probe while the system is probing.

 

 

 

Start by making a backup of the existing installation:

Make a backup of the configuration and file installation, we recommend creating a backup o

f the current installation by right-clicking in the current installation folder and zipping it. 

Before configuring the THC make sure you have wired and configured and tested the initial probing. This could be done with the Plasma Touch Sensor or a Floating Head

 

 

Complete the configuration stages

1. Basic Configuration.

Step 1: Bluetooh Configuration.

Step 2: Modbus Configuration.

  • Enabled Modbus Plugin.

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers

 NOTE:
The COM port that Windows assigned, as would need to be set in the Modbus configuration.

  • Enabled Modbus Plugin.

  • Enabled Modbus Plugin.

  • Enabled Modbus Plugin.

Enabled Modbus Plugin.

Enabled Modbus Plugin.

Enabled Modbus Plugin.

Step 3: Screen and Macro Installation.

  • Download the Screen and paste.

Download the compressed file containing the macros and screen that work with the macros:

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/UCCNC_THC-3 V.2.2.zip

You will need to install the screen found in the download folder and place the macro in the macros directory for the profile folder.

  • Configure the new Plasma Screen.

Set UCCNC to use the new screen that you just copied:

  • Configure the macro loops.

  • Set dwell to seconds:

  • Wiring sample

These wiring samples for connection can be used:

Connection C76 and THC-3 with Powermax 45. (cnc4pc.com)

Step 4: Configure I/O Functions

Configure I/Os Signals

Configure Relay and THC pins.

Step 5: Screen Description.

SETPOINT

It is the target voltage to be achieved.

ARC VOLTAGE

It can be a voltage between 40 to 400VDC. It is the true voltage the plasma is putting out.

V-RANGE (HY)

It is the tolerance or (+/-) voltage range used to generate an adjustment. The torch height is not commanded to adjust if the true voltage is within the specified range.  It can be between 2 to 32VDC

TEST MODE

The test mode simulates the plasma operation.  It simulates the signals and you can observe how the controller reacts without having to power the plasma.

  • Select the test mode button on the screen and the test led will turn on indicating the THC-3 is in test mode.
  • Activating the DN or UP should make the Z-axis adjust.  You can observe the signals received and the Z-axis adjusting accordingly.
  • To exit test mode, Press the test mode button again.
  • Z-axis correction will start after the DT seconds you set after the ACR OK signal is sensed.

AUTO SETPOINT

Automatically establishes the SetPoint based on the cutting height that is set.

THC-DELAY

Torch motion starts the number of seconds you set as DT after the ARC signal is determined. This can be a value between 0.1 to 9.9 seconds.  This is to allow the voltage to stabilize before adjusting the height.

DIVIDER

This is the divider ratio matching the one set in the plasma power supply. This can be a value between 1 to 60.  This can also be used to fine-tune or calibrate the voltage reading. 

ANALOG SMOOTHING

This data smoothes the voltage reading. This can be a value between 0 to 3.

ANTI-DIVE

If the plasma torch moves over empty space, the THC will see it as a voltage spike.  Setting a max voltage value will allow the THC to ignore the voltage spike and prevent the torch from diving.  This can be a value between 50 and 300V. 

CHECK PROBE DISABLE

If enabled, the system will halt until the probe signal is no longer active.  This will prevent the plasma from activating while the torch is probing (touching the material).

Z_TOP

Set Z_Top is the safe position from which rapid movements are allowed. 

OFF SET_Z

This is an offset distance between the position of a switch and the material.  This is used while probing and it is very useful when using Floating Heads which have a travel distance to the probing switch.

PROBING FEED RATE

It is the speed at which probing is executed.

Z MIN. HEIGHT

Set how low you want the Z-axis to go while probing.

To continue with the next stage configuration scroll down.

 

Complete the configuration stages

Step 6:  Calibration.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • If the height adjustment is not smooth or overshoots the position, lower the % of correction speed.

 

  • If you do not see action on the signals coming from the THC, try tracing them by measuring them at the output of the THC, the input of the breakout board, the LEDs of the breakout board, the Software Diagnostics, the software function, etc...  You need to understand where you are losing them.
  • The idea is that the correction is as fast as possible, but that it does not oscillate up and down.  If it is set as too fast, you are going to find the Z axis moving like a sowing machine.

Step 7: Description of Macros.

These allow for adjusting the parameters on the fly via gcode.  This is useful to automate the parameters directly from the post processor or for cutting different areas with different parameters without having to stop to adjust the parameters manually. 

Macro 20300

Q – Set the Height parameter

P - Set the Delay parameter (0 - 10)

H - Set the V Range parameter (0 - 32)

E - Set the Set Point (40 - 265)

Syntax:
“M20300 Q2 P2 H2 E120”

This will set the pierce height to 2mm, the delay (time before starting to adjust the height) to 2 seconds, and will set the setpoint (target voltage) to 120 volts.


Macro 20301 (P)

1 = Auto Setpoint parameter active.

0 = Auto Setpoint parameter disabled.

Syntax:
“M20301 P1”

 Activates the Auto Setpoint feature.

NOTE:
No need to set all parameters

 

Test the complete sequence which includes probing, piercing cutting with THC.

Configure the THC parameters according to the manual: 

Run this G code that does not use macros:

N0050 F20       (Set the Probing Speed 20mm/sec)
N0060 G31 Z10   (Start probing axion on the Z-axis to a depth of up to 10mm)
N0070 G92 Z3    (Set work zero for the z axis using an offset of the switch) 
N0080 G00 Z2    (move the Z-Axis 2mm up. initial pierce )
N0090 M3        (Start the Torch)
N0100 G04 P2    (Set a Pause of 2 seconds to allow the pierce time.)
N0110 G00 Z3    (move the Z-Axis 3mm up. Cut height)
N0120 G01 X5    (Cut a 5mm square.)
N0130 Y5
N0140 X0
N0150 Y0
N0160 M5         (Turn off the Plasma)
N0170 G0  Z5     (move the Z-Axis 5mm up. Z_top)

Feel free to adjust it to your units or other preferences.

 

Test using the macros

Macros:

Keep in mind the macro will now execute the following actions when M32 (Start Cutting) and M52 (End Cutting):

  1. If using a PTS-1 (Plasma Touch Sensor), the first section is to Enable the Probing action.  You should see the ENABLE LED on the PTS-1 and also on the breakout board on the LED for the pin that you wired and configured for activating the probe.  In these instructions, we are using Pin 1 on Port 2. 
  2. The Z-axis lowers until the nozzle or sensor that you connected on the nozzle touches the plate and closes the circuit and activates the probe input.  You would momentarily see action for this on the TOUCH LED on the PTS-1 unit or the switch if using a Floating Head, on the LED for the input pin you assigned on the Breakout Board, and on the Probe LED on the UCCNC screen.
  3. As soon as probing is completed, the Probe ENABLE is disabled and the z-axis moves to the Pierce position or the Pierce Height that you configured.
  4. The plasma starts by activating the plasma relay and stays cutting for the duration of time that you configured or set as Pierce Time in Seconds.
  5. After pierce time the z axis moves to the cut position that I set in cut height
  6. The Plasma stays on and continues to execute g-code and THC if implemented until an M5 is reached or e-stop is pressed.

 

Configure the operation parameters in this screen:

G code with macro:

N0090 M32       (Probes, pierces, moves to cutting position, and start the torch)
N0100 G01 X5    (Cut a 5mm square.)
N0110 Y5
N0120 X0
N0130 Y0
N0150 M52       (Turn off the Plasma and move the z axis to Z_Top)

 

Setting up the Post Processor.

Post for SheetCam:

  • 12.1 UCCNC CNC4pc plasma no Z

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/UCCNC CNC4pc plasma no Z

This post-processor works with all the data on the screen and uses the M32 and M52 macros.

  • 12.2 UCCNC CNC4pc plasma with Z

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/UCCNC CNC4pc plasma with  Z

 


Load the postprocessor to be used: Select the "UCCNC CNC4pc plasma with Z" postprocessor in Options/Machine.

 

 

 

Click on "Set a post-processor variable".

 

Enter the values of the variables to be used on probing: Steps 2 and 3 may need to be repeated for each variable.  these can be: switchoffset (offset of the floating head switch), zminheight  (how low the Z axis goes while probing), V_Range- set the range of setpoint, Set_Point- set the set point for the job, Auto_Setpoint - 0 disable auto set point and 1 enable auto set point,  and probingfr (Velocity at which probing will be executed).

Create Cut Feature:  After having entered all the variables, we proceed to do the cutting operation.

 

 

These instructions are updated for these old instructions.

UCCNC Configuration for THC-3 V2