Torchmate 2 troubles

[Bo185]

I have a TM2 4x8 with Accumove 3, been using it daily 6hrs a day avg for last 2.5 years. Not really happy with it. I have had 5 different AM3 boxes on it 2 damage in shipping and 2 hard failed. It will only run about an 1hr on a large cut file throw an error code and lose position every AM3 box I have had will do it. I usally return to zero power box off and back on.

But today it actually got off I assume in the software and messed up a large cut file. I tried to reset it but the position was off.

Also when cutting the Z axis actually loses position and keeps getting lower and lower as it goes threw the file. Meaning the Z axis ribbon moves the material closer in the software but its in same physical position. I usually have to stop it and reset Z gets old. I tried updates and what not. Even sent support some screen shots of the errors. For the money i paid its not worth the headache

 

[LECS-Chad]

I have a TM2 4x8 with Accumove 3, been using it daily 6hrs a day avg for last 2.5 years. Not really happy with it. I have had 5 different AM3 boxes on it 2 damage in shipping and 2 hard failed. It will only run about an 1hr on a large cut file throw an error code and lose position every AM3 box I have had will do it. I usally return to zero power box off and back on.

But today it actually got off I assume in the software and messed up a large cut file. I tried to reset it but the position was off.

Also when cutting the Z axis actually loses position and keeps getting lower and lower as it goes threw the file. Meaning the Z axis ribbon moves the material closer in the software but its in same physical position. I usually have to stop it and reset Z gets old. I tried updates and what not. Even sent support some screen shots of the errors. For the money i paid its not worth the headache

So not sure if you want help or you are just making statements but sounds like a few things going on. If you are smoking that many boxes then maybe something is going on with your grounding/electrical. How is the continuity between your table and your independent ground rod? Less than 3 ohms? What about between the star ground and the AM box?

First thing I would check is the version of the software you are running. As upgrades have come out to fix the software side of things.

But beyond some of the stuff you have probably already have checked here are a few you might not have.

1. Settings. IHS SEQUENCE should be set to ALWAYS as OPTIMAL sometimes the Z looses position on large nests or multiple parts. I would always run AUTO with SAMPLE VOLTAGE ON as this will keep the head from crashing because of fluctuating voltage or overall warped material. Fluctuating voltage is also a sign of poor ground.

2. Mechanics. The TM2 only has the one motor with the jack shaft. With the AM box on does the gantry have any wiggle or movement? Loosing position is usually mechanics and not the electronics as the box is just sending out the signal to move. If the gantry is sloppy to the machine well then there is the problem right there.

3. Square. Of course right?? but this is an obvious one.

So these are some things to look at.

 

[Bo185]

I haven't smoked anything.
Box 1 was a "prototype" box IE not production didn't even have a S/N. I was told I had one of the first AM3 boes to ship with a TM2 by a tech rep. It failed within first month. Box would power up but not communicate with PC. Got RMA for it and returned.

Box 2 was dropped in shipping. It hit so hard that two drive broads fell out. Took it apart and reseated them. It wouldn't connect returned.

Box 3 got it and it was dropped. Checked board reseated, box actually worked and worked pretty good but was dented bad on back side was returned for Box 4.

Box 4 worked for about 8 months and the omic cap switch quit if I remember right. Tech support said they moved it internal to AM3 so they had to send me Box 5.

Box 5 is current box works but has issues.

So two boxes are actually TM's shipping depts fault for the damage due to the packing, of which I talked to VP of sales about it and sent him pictures of the crappy box job and bubble wrap it was sent in and told him he was losing a ton of money on the shipping damages and the way they shipped them. Box 5 came in a good box with actually a foam cube internally and no damage. Works less the issues of Z climb and errors running more than 1 hour.

Grounds are good. Have a 10ft rod driven into ground right by table PC/AM3 are about 10ft away from it. Have AM3 grounded to it and the table ground clamp and plasma to it. All on own wires. Ohm was with in specs but is under 3 ohm I know. Wires are separated and not bundled together and separate going to the torch from the torch lead.

I haven't updated VMD in a while 6 months or so, I will confirm what I have.

1)90% its running as you stated but will double check these settings.

2)There is no wiggle at all it actually cuts good no slippage. Belts are new just replaced few months ago, spur gears good no slipping in shaft gears etc. 80/20 rail is bolted to water table so its not moving either.

3)Yes its square

Its not mech loss. I can hit run and watch Z slew down physically at the same time I can see the Z ribbon in VMD. Z ribbon will go down from 0 to -1 then ribbon drops 1-2 inches yet Z motor doesn't. Guess I need to video it when it does it.
Now that is not the same as when on a large cut file the Z will sink as it cut all the way to the partial retract set point which i have to run at like 1.5 any lower and it will eventually Z will be right at plate height which will right on the partal retract. This takes 30 mins of so of large parts with lots of pierces.

And when it error'ed it lost datum. When I returned to zero y ran off the end of the table well gear rack. But interesting enough before it error'ed out it actually lost postion mid way threw the cut and messed up the parts as they had moved down 1-2'' in the file I never touch the actual sheet.

So like I said does some weird stuff.

I appreciate the input, just sucks when I lost half a sheet of product.

 

[Bo185]

Ok I had sampling voltage off and was just running set voltage based on Hyper-therm manual. And IHS was NOT in optimal. Will give those a try.

 

[Bo185]

So far so good haven't cut a large file with it yet so will see. But Z migration toward sheet seems less and the sample voltage seems to work much better.