Modify gcode to suit plasma cutting

hi There,
This is my first post so please forgive if I've not followed protocol.
I am using QCad with dfx2gcode to generate gcode from dxf files.
Unfortunately, dfx2gcode does not cater for plasma cutting.
I have therefore developed a Bash script to modify the gcode files generated with dfx2gcode to make them suitable for plasma cutting.
The program sets the values for feed rates, safe height for rapids, cut height, probing, pierce height and pierce delay. Default values can be changed for easier usage.
I'd like to make the program available for those out there looking for a solution to create plasma suitable gcode from dxf files without going to the expense of buying software.
Sorry but I'm new to this so please would somebody tell me how to go about this.
This forum has been a great help to me so here's my contribution in return.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Bruce

First of all thanks you very much for your contribution.

Are you familiar with the PlasmaC component in linuxcnc? Is this intended to work in conjunction with it or in place of it? I ask because the settings you mentioned are what PlasmaC is intended to handle.

Thanks for your response.
I'm embarrassed to say that I did not know about the PlasmaC component. I'll certainly investigate.
kind regards
Bruce

Thank you for your pointing me towards PlasmaC.
I’m a hobbyist and am using the “stand alone” torch height controller by Proma. It works well but with one caveat – there is no way to stop the torch from diving when it things slow down for small shapes. My gantry is aluminium so I’ve got good acceleration and one can always adjust the settings to mitigate the problem so this is not too much of a concern for me. I’ll admit that this is not the best solution but its fine for us small time guys!
Do you feel that there's merit in my making further improvements available?
My table is multi-purpose for milling, plotting, laser etc so to change to PlasmaC will be a huge mission so I’ll give it a miss. I've just completed another table to do cake and biscuit icing/frosting by pneumatic extrustion. Great fun!
Thanks again to everybody for such great software.
Kind regards
Bruce

PlasmaC has been under active development over the past year (or two?), I'd say check it out.

I haven't used the Proma, but you can definitely use it with PlasmaC. The Mesa THCAD is very popular for THC and fully integrates with PlasmaC to let linuxCNC handle height control. It's relatively low cost too. Because it's fully integrated it's smart enough to avoid those dives you're talking about and temporarily disable THC on small radius/low speed cuts. I don't know if that's possible with the proma, does it have a disable pin/signal? There are dozens of more knowledgeable folks on the forum that can tell you all about it, hopefully someone will see this and chime in.

Regarding the multipurpose table, you can just use a different linuxcnc config when milling or plotting. To setup the PlasmaC component all you need to do is get a basic working linuxcnc config, like for milling, then run that basic configuration through a tool called the configurator and it will add the necessary config files/settings to get plasmac setup for you, it's really not a huge mission. The PlasmaC user guide will walk you through it and there's tones of help here on the forum.

Do you feel that there's merit in my making further improvements available?

There's always room for improvement! But you may want to make sure you aren't reinventing the wheel.

Proma THC150 = works with PlasmaC or thc_toma configs
Proma THC SD = overtakes the step/dir Z axis control and does require just a simple 3 axis config.