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Is anyone on here (besides me) using an everlast plasma with your table?
Ive got candcnc's DTHC wired up to the CNC port on my powerplasma50 and basically got it all working EXCEPT 2 MAJOR problems.
1. I lose "Arc ok" signal randomly during a cut even though the plasma torch is still firing good. If i stop the torch and program in mach3, then start the torch in mach3 and hit run, it continues the cut and arc ok stays on. This is annoying, and messes up cuts.
2. If i leave the plasma on the torch will randomly fire. When i mean random, i mean 10 minutes later when im doing somthing else in the shop! Disconnect the CNC plug and no problem. Tom said its something in the PC, i think he is right on with that.
The setup cuts well, but once i try to cut anything over 1/8 i start to get a lot of slag under the cut. The fastest I can cut 1/4 steel is 40IPM and still get penetration. Maybe i should get a hypertherm PM 45? How clean does that cut 1/4 and what IPM can you pull off?
Any input would be great.
--John
I would call Everlast, I think Ray is the one who is overseeing the CNC Plasma stuff
877-755-9353 X207. I'm not sure if your machine came with a manual in the box, but the real manual you have to download from the Everlast website.
CNC port arc voltage dividers
CNC PP60c questions
Not knowing what the Everlast system uses for an output for the "Arc OK" signal.........the Hypertherm's have a closed contact (relay) that is closed whenever the cutting arc is drawing current through the work ground clamp.....when there is no current flow, the output contacts open. This function is typically used to activate the arc voltage height control as well as to allow machine motion. The random firing is dangerous....to say the least. I would get the Everlast tech service (is there any?) involved quickly.
To answer the following comment:
"The setup cuts well, but once i try to cut anything over 1/8 i start to get a lot of slag under the cut. The fastest I can cut 1/4 steel is 40IPM and still get penetration. Maybe i should get a hypertherm PM 45? How clean does that cut 1/4 and what IPM can you pull off?"
The Powermax45 will cut at book specs (clear, accurate cutting parameters listed in the operators manual) from gauge to about 3/8" with virtually no dross....nice square edges, and the longest consumable parts life in the industry. A little more expensive to buy, far less expensive to use.
1/4" steel is cut (best quality) at 60 inches per minute, max speed of 75 ipm. 1/8" steel is at (best quality)140 ipm, max speed of 175 ipm.
Jim Colt
Here is what cuts with a Hypertherm Powermax45 look like. Some of these cuts were done on a PlasmaCam machine, some on a Torchmate. 1st pic is .080" aluminum, 2nd is 3/8" steel edge finish, 3rd and 4th are holes cut in 1/4" steel with diameters of 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2"....bolts drop right through, 5th and 6th are 1/4" steel with tab and slot construction.....very precise.
This guy is using the same plasma cutter with THC.
Pierce Works, LLC I'm sure he can help.
Jimcolt....those pics you posted are with no grinding? Man that's smooth. Think I'm going to have to pickup a powermax 45 with the cnc option. I assume that the cnc port is optional and has to be ordered with it?
--John
Last edited by jimcolt; 04-25-2012 at 07:48 AM.
Btw. I did get the random torch problem fixed by getting rid of windows 7 and going to XP. Well, I think it's fixed but since it's random only time will tell. It was happening about a few times an hour. It's been 6 hours and it hasnt happened now that I have xp.
Still having arc ok problems though.
--John
If you do go that route, you won't regret it. I still love my PM45. They all come with the CPC port on the back, but it's only active when you plug a machine torch into it unless you bypass some safety circuitry inside the machine. (I don't know which ones, since I do have a machine torch)Originally Posted by johndjmix
Here's some 1/8" (top) and 1/4" plates (lower 4) I cut today, these are simple counterweights for a friend's airplane. No cleanup other than running a quick wire wheel over it to remove the teeny amount of dross I have. I'm only running at 50 IPM though, so I could up the speeds a bit and improve that--I just don't want to mess with success in the meantime.
What setup are you using on your table? Any gear reductions? Man, that HT45 w/ the machine torch is about $2,000....eash!
seanmurphy265: Just emailed him.
--John
I'm using the CandCNC 620 oz Bladerunner setup, with 3:1 belt reductions and 1" pitch diameter pinions.
I used to run direct drive with 3/4" pinions, and the reduction did make a slight improvement in the slower-speed cut quality, like on this 1/4" and thicker materials. It now does a pretty good job up to about 5/8" steel, although that is pretty dang slow to cut.
Im also using candcnc 620 oz bladerunner...but with the everlast i need to keep the speeds real low when cutting 1/4" (as in ~30ipm). Cuts on 1/8 aluminum, are as good as I could want. But on 1/4"....they just dont seem acurate, for instance here is a part that I need to cut almost daily out of 1/4".
One problem i seem to have is the pinion gears coming loose, the set-screw that is. Going to locktite them tomorrow. Once one of them comes a bit loose and creates a tiny bit of play it messes everything up!
--John
The Powermax45 comes standard with the CPC connector which is the electrical interface port for cnc machines. The CPC port is only functional with the machine torch......does not work with the hand torch (because it is designed to work from the hand operated trigger switch).
The cuts in the pics are as cut. No grinding....a small amount of dross forms around the holes....but mostly falls off during handling...minor scraping is all that is usually required.
Jim Colt
The Powermax45 by Hypertherm is more expensive to purchase than most other air plasma systems that are rated to pierce and cut 1/2". Look at the pictures of the cuts in my previous post.....then think about how long you are going to own the machine and plasma....and how much you use it.
- cut quality with the Hypertherm will generally only require minimal chipping/grinding.....how do the low cost plasma's do?
-The Hypertherm consumable life is generally about 4 to 10 times better as compared to low cost import consumable life....how many nozzles (tips) will you purchase over the next years with the import?
-Cut speeds are generally 1.5 to 2 times faster with the Hypertherm....how much time (money) will you save over the years?
-Hypertherm systems have a reputation for reliability.....and when things do go wrong also have great (factory) support and technical service....how much is that worth over time?
If there was a way to figure all of the above into the cost of ownership of a plasma / cnc machine.....you will always find the Hypertherm systems are far less expensive to own....even with the higher purchase price. As a bonus....they are designed, tested and manufactured in the USA...the money stays here.
I have been working with industrial (high definition class) plasma's for 35 years....a Hypertherm Hydef plasma costs as much as $65,000 (just the plasma system, not cnc machine)....so $2k for a Powermax does not seem that high!
Jim Colt
1/2" cuts with the Powermax45.....at 20 inches per minute.
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