intermitant cutting issues

[waynec]

hello from the uk.
ive run my torchmate machine for around ten years now.apart from the odd glitch,thats been resolved,it runs good.

recently though,when cutting the torch will raise up ,miss part of the cut then go back down and cut again.it seams quite random.it will do it on one cut,but not the next.
ive enclosed a picture to show.it skipped cutting a few times,yet cut the one next to it ok.

what should I be looking at.
thanks
wayne

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

It could be our plasma relay box has a dirty contacts and needs to be cleaned, this acts as a relay and if the relay is intermittent then it could cause issues like this. By pass the relay and hold the wires together when the torch moves into position, by you acting as the relay you can determine if the relay is bad or not.

 

[waynec]

Thanks.

What is the plasma relay box.is this the black box with the readout on,or the main red box

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

If it is the red pro series controller then the relay is built into the box, is just to the left of the motor cable connections.

 

[waynec]

hi.easier to enclose a couple of pics.
one is the red box.

the other the black one.in that picture,ive just changed the setting shown from auto to manual,and I didn't have any issues with my cut.

im not sure what that does.

should I still be looking for a relay.is that in the red or the black box

thanks
wayne

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Relay is in the red box per my previous post above. When cutting in Auto the Height Control is looking for Arc Volage on the display see if it displays voltage when cutting, if not there is your problem. Check your Arc Voltage wires on the back of the black box. Cutting in Manual mode the black height control box is not looking for arc voltage and will stay cutting. In Auto if no voltage then the height control box will shut itself off because it thinks the plasma cutter is not on.

 

[waynec]

thanks.i shall check tomorrow.

I watched the voltage on the panel,it suddenly goes from 112 to 0 and that's when its stops cutting.

I will report back

 

[waynec]

hi.ive opened the red box .what part is the relay in there,so I can find what wires to touch together

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

If you switch over to Manual as you said and you have no issues with your cut then you can rule out the relay. Your problem lies in the height control box, this is what you should be looking at. Cutting in Manual Mode you should see the voltage being displayed on the screen, no voltage you would not be able to cut in Auto mode.

 

[waynec]

Is that the black box with the voltage readouts on.

Is there anything i can check. I did have to replace that about five years ago due to a fault.

Is that part still avsilable to purchace

 

[waynec]

if the fault is in the avhc control box,there isn't anything I can do is there .
as its all electronics.ive checked the wiring at the plugs and all seams ok

I have had one of these fail befor and needed a replacement.

just to confirm.in manual mode it cuts perfect.

in auto mode it skips randomly as in my first picture.


is the height control box I have still available to purchase

thanks
wayne

 

[waynec]

different issue started today. in manual cut mode.it cut half the program,then the plasma stopped cutting.

is this the control height box issue as well

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Depends if the plasma faulted out or not displaying an error message or indicator lights. We no longer sell or service that height control box, for service you can contact Onexia.

 

[waynec]

yes I had a fault with my plasma torch.

can my system be upgraded at all.if so what parts would I need

I don't need to buy a complete machine,but maybe just the electronic side.when I got this many years back,thats how I purchased

 

[waynec]

ive had a look on youre website.

can I purchase the acumove 2 as a stand alone system without the table.

so I would need that,the software,two new stepper motors. and the cables to join it all together .my machine is a 8x4.

another question.i had a brief look at the acumove 2.this doesn't use a height controller any more,but uses ohmic sensing.is that correct.
it also says some machines are not suitable.

im using a thermal dynamics sl 60 cutter with a machine torch.is this suitable to use with the acumove 2

thanks
wayne

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Yes you can retrofit an Accumove on your table using the Thermal Dynamics plasma cutter, it uses both Ohmic to determine initially where the material is at as well as Arc Voltage once the torch has began cutting. The controller comes with motor cables, replaces your current lifter station with the new style and you may be able to use your current motors if they use round connectors on the motor cables. The upgrade will also swap out the small pulley on the motor shaft, you can contact our parts department for an upgrade price either parts@torchmate.com or 775-673-2200 x59217.

 

[waynec]

Thats great news.i shall call later.my motors are older and use the sauare type plugs.i dont mind upgrading as it should be like having a complete new machine.

My machine runs a single motor on each axis..will it still work ok with thst set up.

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

You have a TM2 table, yes you would need two new motors, it would essentially be like getting a new table, I would recommend replacing the bronze bushings while you are at it if they show any signs of play.

 

[waynec]

Hi again
Just to bring this up.the machine seamed to work ok for a while but has started to plsy up again.

This time it stops firing and a fault comes up on the plasma cutter.its a cutmaster a60.

Fault code is 85 which comes up as a torch short.

I have put a new torch on,but it is still the same.

It does this in both manual and auto mode.

Should i be looking at my plasma rather than the torchmate system or would a fault in the torchmate, short the plasma out.

Thanks wayne

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

You would want to ensure that the torch is not trying to pierce touching the plate or that while cutting the torch is not contacting the plate which both scenarios could cause that fault code. To test activate the lifter in the Aux menu of driver software with the cut light off on the AVHC box, verify you have the proper cut height when torch comes down and contacts material to determine its torch to work distance, for your plasma should be 1/8" clearance. If that checks out ok, then switch over to Manual mode and perform a test cut to see if you still get the error code on the plasma. If it stills errors out then your problem lies with the plasma cutter.