Upgrade plate runner to THC

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Euclid933
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Upgrade plate runner to THC

Post by Euclid933 »

Hi there,
I am looking to upgrading my table from a plate runner to a torch lifter with THC.
My table is about 25 years old and uses large DC servo motors on the X and Y axis.
I control it using Mach3 software on a PC.
It has served me well for many years, but I am frustrated with the problems of the plate runner colliding with tipped up parts,
and would like the ability to control the torch height.

Does anyone have any advice on what Z axis / torch lifter to use ?
Which THC to use, I have looked at PriceCNC, Proma etc.
I do have a Hyperthem THC2 sat on the shelf, is it worth rigging up etc ?
My power source is Hypertherm HT2000.
I'd be grateful for any advice of what to use or avoid.
Regards,
William
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acourtjester
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Re: Upgrade plate runner to THC

Post by acourtjester »

I have a PriceCNC it was easy to hook up and use, I don't know about your Z axis so you may need to look deeper into the upgrade.
here is a video of the Price unit. I have used both Proma and Price and the Price is far superior.
https://youtu.be/EyZJVMtzKzY
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Euclid933
2 Star Elite Contributing Member
2 Star Elite Contributing Member
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:18 am
Location: N. Lincs, UK
Contact:

Re: Upgrade plate runner to THC

Post by Euclid933 »

Thank you for the Advice,
I think I'll give the Price one a try. I had looked at it earlier this year but hadn't got around to buying it.
For the Z axis, I was thinking about using one of those torch lifters from ebay, along with a servo motor and driver. A cheap break out board ( not worth making one like last time I worked on the machine) and another parallel port.
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