how to pause mach 3 to wait for an input from pasma

[bthomps5]

i am running a thermal dynamics autocut 200 with mach 3 software. been trying to write a brain to tell the program to wait for the plasma to establish an arc before xy moves. i have an ok to move contact from the plasma to my breakout board on input 11. i have established an ok to move signal from the plasma but can't get mach to pause and wait for an established arc before continuing xy moves. anyone have information that could help me?

[najnielkp]

hi.
is the arc not starting at all? or is the arc starting after movement?
check in settings/ports and pins/ spindle setup. you can set a delay for spindle on .

[Torchhead]

Mach has an integrated Arc good pause. Just turn on the THC function and map the Input named "THC ON" to your pin 11 signal. When the torch fires (output1 goes active) and THC function is on it wants for an Arc Good on the THC ON pin (naming is confusing). Once it sees it it will release movement. Even if you don't use the rest of the THC functions you can still use the Arc good.

TOM CAUDLE
www.CandCNC.com