adding thc to burny control

[steve_p]

hi there, i'm taking delivery next week of a used 3m x 1.5m plasma machine (servo driven) running off a burny 2.8 controller (apparently a 2.8 is just a 2.5 mounted in the same console as the servo drives and psu etc.)

It has a plate rider, ie no thc, and i'm wondering whether it's possible to retro-fit a thc to run off the burny. I don't have schematics for the burny (if anyone has, I'd be grateful for a scan!)

if the burny dies in the future i'd probably go the mach route rather than shell out big money on a repair, which would enable me to add the thc quite easily, but i'd rather just slot one in to the working system for now.

The plasma source is a hypertherm max 100 (100A o/p) with a machine torch. I heard that hypertherm do a thc, but i don't know whether it needs interfacing to the control.

Is anyone here a burny/hypertherm expert?

thanks for any advice

[gridley51]

What machine is it?You should be able to download the manual from the Burny site.

[steve_p]

gridley51 , thanks for the reply, I looked at the burny site, but you have to download a form, manually fill it in and then fax it back to them before they will let you download anything. I'll probably do it, but I gave up on fax years ago, so it's a bit of a pain.

The machine is an Esprit Lightning, I called Esprit and they said it wasn't worth adding a thc, presumably because they'd recommend a control replacement. I was hoping to find a reasonably-priced option.

[justinhosley]

Hypertherm has a couple THCs. Their Sensor THC is great. Simple. What type of Burny controller do you have? I can get a hold of all of the schematics. Also, what type of drive/motor combo are you using for the Torch(Z) axis?

[steve_p]

Originally Posted by justinhosley Hypertherm has a couple THCs. Their Sensor THC is great. Simple. What type of Burny controller do you have? I can get a hold of all of the schematics. Also, what type of drive/motor combo are you using for the Torch(Z) axis?

hi justin, it's a burny 2.8 (see pic below, if I've done it right), which is just a 2.5 built into a case with all the drives.

as for motor/drive for the z axis, I was going to wait until I sourced the thc control and buy something that would be compatible. It would probably just be a gecko-stepper combo if i can get away with it.

[gridley51]

I have the maintenance/operator manual for the Burny DNC 2.8 plus and the maintenance manual for the Burny 2.5 as fitted to a Messer m/c.Messer told me it`s really a 2.8.They are on pdf`s if you want them.
BTW I was thinking about thc but from what I read on the forum here decided I`d wait and see how it went once the m/c was installed.

[steve_p]

Originally Posted by gridley51 I have the maintenance/operator manual for the Burny DNC 2.8 plus and the maintenance manual for the Burny 2.5 as fitted to a Messer m/c.Messer told me it`s really a 2.8.They are on pdf`s if you want them. BTW I was thinking about thc but from what I read on the forum here decided I`d wait and see how it went once the m/c was installed.

yeah, I asked the previous owner whether he'd had any problems with the plate rider, and he said it had been pretty good really- you just have to watch when leaving narrow strips between parts, or when doing small parts. If it does catch, you can lose a whole sheet if it gets dragged along.

I will be using it in its current state at first anyway, so I'll get a feel for it, but it does sound like the cut quality can be improved with the thc, as well as eliminating crashes. I've been reading about how the better ones work with the controller to compensate for the speed changes at corners etc, so the thc doesn't panic and dive the torch. That's why I was interested in the schematics to see whether there were pins on the controller for this purpose.

I'd be grateful for the schematic- I'm not too knowledgeable about forums- what's the best way of getting a copy from you?

thanks for taking time to respond http://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[gridley51]

Steve,if you click on my name above,you will be given the option of sending me a private message.Use that to send me your email address.That`s if you`re not a mile down the road from Broxburn.

[jimcolt]

The Hypertherm Sensor PHC height control is a great standalone THC system...it features ohmic and stall sense for finding the plate surface (necessary for good pierc height) as well as a very accurate arc voltage feedbeack process for real time height control. here is a link for more info:
http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Product...sensor_phc.jsp


Jim Colt Hypertherm

[steve_p]

Originally Posted by jimcolt The Hypertherm Sensor PHC height control is a great standalone THC system...it features ohmic and stall sense for finding the plate surface (necessary for good pierc height) as well as a very accurate arc voltage feedbeack process for real time height control. here is a link for more info: http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Product...sensor_phc.jsp Jim Colt Hypertherm

thanks jim, that does look good, although it does require several connections to the cnc control to tell it when the arc is good etc- I'll have to check whether my burny has these i/o pins, and whether it needs any reprogramming or setting up to look for these inputs and send the outputs. Do you have any idea how much roughly they sell for? Or who the hypertherm agent is for london, i cant seem to find one with google. thanks.

[jimcolt]

The THC requires a plasma start output....and needs a avc disable..or corner output function that freezes the THC during cornering. Your Burny has these signals.

If you go to the Hypertherm website www.hypertherm.com you will find contact info for our European offices...they can direct you to dealers...our tech service department can assist you with proper connections to a Burny as well.

Jim Colt

[Alan Bradford]

It is easy to connect a THC to A Burny 2.8

The 3TB treminal strip (in the rear of the cabinet) is where you connect the THC (any type)

The Plasma Start Contacts are 15 & 16
The Height Freeze Contacts are 19 & 20 N.O. and 19 &18 N.C.

Cut Sense Input is 1 and for a 24 Volt Signal 2
120 Volt Signal 3
220 Volt Signal 4

You remove your plasma interface, connect the THC to the 3TB termionals and connect your plasma to the HTC per the mfg instructions.
Be careful with the Hypertherm THC's.
Their Cut Sense outputs are only rated for 24 Volts DC at 15 ma. You can destroy them easily. Most other brands use a relay contact output.
The Burny 2.8 input requires you supply 24VDC if using a Hypertherm THC for cut sense.
Most others with a relay output you can use any voltage (AC or DC) available.

I have attached a few pages I scanned from a Burny 2.8 Plus manual. That is the newer version, but the interface is the same.
You can request the manual from www.burny.com, or call Tech Support in Cleveland and they may have a copy of the 2.8 manual available as a .pdf.

Burny Division
7550 Hub Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44125-5794
Telephone: 216 / 524-8800
Fax: 216 / 642-2199
Be patient as it sometimes takes a while to get through to them.

Good Luck