THCAD-10

Grotius wrote: The THCUD component is i think a update of the THC component and is nice to have in linuxcnc available because there are limited options available.
The THC and THCUD component is written by an software expert.
.

THCUD.comp is designed to receive the up/down commands from something like a Proma external THC.
THC.comp is designed to replace the external THC and use the Mesa THCAD card to measure torch voltage

So in your case with a THCAD-10, you should be using the THC component.

From all accounts, the THC.comp solution is a proven working system so don't get confused with other talk about external offsets. (eg. Ignore us)

Grotius: "THC and THCUD loading together is not a problem at all, but for your application you need only one THC component. The THCUD component is i think a update of the THC component and is nice to have in linuxcnc available because there are limited options available."

I have updated the pertinent parts of HAL in accord with changing over to use the THCUD component now...At least as far as I understand it is newer and revised...

rodw: I used the HAL meter last night when I was testing...In response to your questions: 1. Plasma cutter is Hypertherm 45 and;
2. I can't remember right now if voltage is raw or divided...
Would using raw voltage be the reason for the torch almost immediately move away from the cutting path?

Thanks rod and grotius for your responses...

mike

Rod,
I just learned something from your post, that is, what is meant by an external THC as opposed to the MESA style THCAD-10...I had just assumed (based upon my limited knowledge) that there was no differences, as they were both used for THC control...

Thanks much for that input...I have change my HAL and related files back over to reflect use of the THC component...

Mike

Hi Mike,

You can see directly if it has to do with THCUD or THC.
in hal it always show's it's full name. So don't worry about that.
But only do this : #loadrt THCUD will be sure everyting is out of function on that component. (the # sign)

If you don't have opened the Powermax45 and it has a cpc port, it's for sure a 1:50 divided signal. If you open the Hypertherm,
you see a swich box to do 5 other settings in bit format. Scale 1 to 20 for example. But standard scaling (voltage divider settings) 1 to 50 is perfect.

Raw arc with xp45 is max ca 300 volts. You don't want this near your mouse. :woohoo:

(eg. Ignore us) Yes, but we are here and making it perfect within time.

@Rod,

I remember, the THC is only for Mesa. THCUD is for up and down signal.

Grotius, thanks again for your informative reply...The machine is my brother's and is located at his shop, so I don't have it available to look at right now...BUT, as I remember it has a cpc port (if that is the special connector on the rear)...I think I also remember that in the Powermax45 manual that it mentioned a 1:50 voltage divider...I am doing all this from memory which is not so good these days...

Instead of commenting out the thcud loadrt line with "#" I just removed it as I could add it back in if it were ever necessary...

Mike

Still have not found where the problem lies to get the THC working...Does anyone have a functional configuration for THC with MESA 5i25/7176/THCAD-10 that they would share so that I could compare with the present configuration of my brother's machine?...It does not matter if it is an Axis or Gmoccapy gui, just as long as it pertains to the THC portions...

I am almost sure that our problem getting the THC to work pertains to configuration parameters, either something required but not there, or connected incorrectly, etc...But I cannot find it...The present configuration is based on JT's configuration which is based on his MESA 5i20/7i43 (AFAIK using parallel port)...

As I am tearing my hair out over this any help would be appreciated...

thanks in advance
Mike