CNC Plasma Interference Issue - Flashcut Problems

[andyleahy1]

Hello,

We have recently retrofitted a 6m by 3m S.A.F. Plasma cutting table.
The machine works great however, the arc transfer creates noise which is interfering with our control and P.C.

I will list components used and current grounding techniques below;

Plasma Source : MaxPro 200
Control : Usb Version of Flashcut CNC Controller
Motors/ Drives: Clearpath Stepper Servos (SDSK) type.
Pc: Standard consumer grade Lenovo.

The cnc controller and PC is located in the control cabinet which is located on the gantry.
The Plasma unit is located beside the table aproxomatily 1m.
The plasma hose runs in a cable chain distance of 150mm from other signaling cables.
In this cable chain a usb and hdmi cable are also run to a standalone control console.
At the end of this cable chain (gantry side), the plasma hose is physically 800mm from all other cables on it's route to the torch holder.
I currently have the plasma hose shield grounded on both the Z axis frame and on the plasma unit side to copper grounding rods. The machine is grounded to hypertherms reccomendations. I had this grounding checked be by a third-party company locally. Incase I was missing some (simple) grounding.

Currently the Flashcut Control is losing it's USB connection to the PC as soon as the torch fires.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My next steps are
To physically distance the plasma hose completely by hanging it down from above.
but beyond this Im not sure what else I can do.

Is Flashcut the issue as its USB connection?
Would an ethernet controller be a better solution?

Thanks

Andy leahy - Ireland.

[philba]

I've got bad news for you, MaxPro 200 is an HF start machine. It essentially creates massive amounts of EMI to start the torch. That is why HF Start is pretty universally not recommended for CNC Plasma machines.