Machine and /or operator assistance

I seem to be having a few issues with my 4x4 machine, I am running a powermax 45 has air filters etc, The machine is fairly new haven't cut anything yet and the material is 16 gauge new, no rust. Also have a machine head. The first half of today every time I ran a job the torch would pierce the material then cut out, nothing else happened. I have a 4x4 sheet of material with several holes in it but that's it.

Last half of the day I kept getting messages in the VMD stating IHS failure ensure the VFC is grounded to the material (which it is) and after that IHS failure remove ohmic cap and clear any slag from consumables, I put 4 sets of new consumables in and nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

One other issue the inserts on the gantry that run along the rails on the spiral rod keep unscrewing and coming out after about 5 minutes of movement is this normal ?

 

If you can't get past the pierce point or it won't pierce it's likely a grounding issue.

 

Thanks will look over the grounding setup. I currently have a ground from the VFC to the Accumove 2 as stated in the set up instructions, also have a ground from the VFC to the material have I missed a step somewhere and the plasma grounded to the slats, Same issues this afternoon.

 

Spoke with Tech support today, they are going to send me an OHMIC relay box and we are going to update the VMD software, they figure the problem lies there. As I live in Alberta it can take up to 10 days to get here but will post the results when everything is installed

 

It would take that long even if you lived next door to them. I order something and it still takes a week to ship...

 

Verify your grounding to this tech sheet...
http://torchmate.com/uploads/downloads/Technical_Bulletin_Grounding_TM_Control.pdf

 

Hi Chad, I did receive the relay box awesome shipping to Canada had it in 3 days, however I have hooked the relay box up grounded the machine as per Torchmate specs How ever the same issue, the machine will pierce a whole but that's it, I have uploaded the new VMD software, updated the firm ware but know luck. Really need to solve this issue had the machine for 6 months, it took me 2 to set it up and 4 trouble shooting the warranty is half gone and it hasn't cut a piece out yet. I understand problems and tweaking but this is getting tiresome not to mention I have lost a contract and some potential work. We need a solution.

Gary

 

I would say that the OK to move signal is either not present or something wrong in the cable....I once had my ok to move cable work loose and the same thing happened to me.

 

Solution is verify if you are receiving an Ok to Move signal, this is easily checked with a multimeter via continuity setting, when the torch pierces the material. In order to receive an Ok to Move signal for one your plasma needs to support such a feature you need the correct wires connected to the input and the plasma ground cable needs to be connected to the material. Or you could simply disable Ok to Move in the software under the Tool Library.

 

Thanks again for the suggestions will try them out

 

Is the plasma not piercing all the way threw the material or piercing, not moving, and then going out?

 

The plasma was piercing just wouldn't move, I have disabled the Ok To Move function and is has cut out a few jobs. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions

 

How did you handle the rods unscrewing the inserts? Never saw an answer for that one. I have the same issue.

 

Blue loctite should help.

 

yes, I used Loctite and let the machine sit for a day. It seemed to have done the trick

 

Thanks. Easy enough.