height control?

[kbenz]

mach3 is not getting signal from z axis switch. found where to test but not how to fix it in the manual.

ohmic sensor is working. comes down senses, raises and fires. after firing it raises bout .700" and goes out.

any ideas?

By the way I am new to mach and sheetcam

[kbenz]

its CandCNC.

It will fire now and cut a part. switch still not working

[BTA Plasma]

You already have a Z axis switch?? Did you hook it to the limit that is in the Ohmic sensor box?

[kbenz]

You already have a Z axis switch?? Did you hook it to the limit that is in the Ohmic sensor box?

Yes I do and yes I did

[BTA Plasma]

Then go to diagnostics and check to see if a limit is hit. It is possible you havent activated your limit in your Ubob. Depending on the setup CandCNC sent you a second parallel port card may be needed. You can use X,Y or Z home and set any of them up as a limit but to use the limit section on the table I/O you need a second card. This enables the pc to talk to the control box super fast instead of pinging the pc for a input or output and causing a delay. Simulated pins work only so fast


So to sum it up for you

1. Check to see where the limits are hooked to from the black ohmic box
a. If they are hooked to the limit on the I/O card in the big box then you may need a second parallel port card only if you are using your X or Y home inputs. If you arent you can always utilize those positions for a limit and not use a 2nd card.
b. If they arent find out which port and pin and enable then in your ports and pins

[muzza]

Hey MC, good to see you being active on here. Always good to have the experts who build this stuff for a living helping out.
Thanks for sharing your time and knowlege.
Murray

[BTA Plasma]

Thanks Murray glad to help out. I only have 4 years of experience with CandCNC but 30 years with multi axis CNC mills and lathes. I have ran a bunch of different table brands out there before we started offering them. All I can say is the CNC plasma is an incredible time saver and I am surprised everyone here isn't a millionaire. There is a lot to do out there. Go get cutting!!

[kbenz]

Mach is not recognizing the limit switch at all. It is the only switch I have right now

[BTA Plasma]

If it doesnt then you have 2 possibilities

1. Your running unliscensed
2. Your shorting a contact or you have a bad switch

If your torch is raising all the time you have the wrong ratio in the PWM box. It comes stock with 7-1 so if its a Hypertherm 45 you need to set it to 50-1 and if its a 65/85/105 the CPC and PWM box need to match.

[kbenz]

If it doesnt then you have 2 possibilities

1. Your running unliscensed
2. Your shorting a contact or you have a bad switch

If your torch is raising all the time you have the wrong ratio in the PWM box. It comes stock with 7-1 so if its a Hypertherm 45 you need to set it to 50-1 and if its a 65/85/105 the CPC and PWM box need to match.

it is licensed, switch ohms out ok. not sure how to check for a short??

they told me 50-1 for my 65??

[BTA Plasma]

Where do you have the switch hooked to? Are you using a LCTHC or a MP3000 or Dragoncut? What are you using for the mach interface? LCTHC or BladerunnerAIO or the MP3000_UBOB3?

[BTA Plasma]

From the sounds of it you could be using a G540 and a LCTHC if that is the case you picked one of the two inputs on the G540 either pin 17 port 1 or pin1 port 1. At any rate they need to be on in ports and pins. If your not using the G540 youll need to figure out where you wired your home switch into. The table I/O board can lead to some confusion if your eyesight is bad. The pins are marked on the board XHOME, YHOME, ZHOME, LIMIT..ect. Hook your Z home switch to the ZHOME and make sure its enabled in ports and pins / motor inputs.