VMD syntax error
- Thread starter Jake Bertola
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LECS-Chad
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Which machine are you using and the size of the file according to your machine? Is you file larger than the machine bounds?
Jake Bertola
Member
Our machine was a torchmate 2 but has all the newer parts on it and runs accumove 3. The G code file was about 1.09Mb which I think was the problem being to big. On the new sheets we are now cutting them in 3 stages to make the cut files smaller. Seems to have stopped the error from forming. What size is the limit for these machines ? We also have a problem with the z axsis. If we set it at a certain height at the start of cutting a full sheet as the machine works its way through the z axsis slowly creeps down then we have to jog it back up to the correct height and reset the height again.
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LECS-Chad
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WOW... that is a MASSIVE .gm file. Send it over to me via email and I can take a look at it to see if it is a"file" issue. Im thinking that it might be because the file is larger than the size allotted for the table in the software.
Z Axis... Change the IHS settings to ALWAYS instead of OPTIMAL and this will resolve you issue. You can toggle this setting while you are running so if you notice it is getting close. toggle it for one cut then toggle it back.
All Torchmate controllers can execute files of infinite length, ie there is no size restriction.
Send the file to CS for testing.
Jake Bertola
Member
No worries will send it through. I went into the IHS settings and it was already on ALWAYS. Should i just toggle it a few times to see if the problem goes away ?
Jake Bertola
Member
Anyone have any idea's on the z axis problem we have ?
L
LECS-Chad
Guest
What are your settings and material you are cutting? Also when you traverse your head through out your table is the distance from the torch tip to the top of the slats the same? Have you talked with tech support regarding this?
Mine has had the same thing on large cut files with nested parts run 75-90% and error out. Also I had the Z issue of it moving toward the plate as it cut on the larger file. And have actaully had 4 different AM3 boxes swapped out and all did the same basically with a large file. If I didn't note position of were torch was then return to datum, reboot. It would actually lose datum if I just cleared the code and kept going error again actually loose datum for some reason an run the gantry off the end of gear rack, and I would lose those parts or even the whole sheet as it was impossible to get it back to were it stopped.
I think its heat build up in the box vs size of file but just speculation on my part. I know if I run a large full sheet file the box exit air is pretty hot, didn't get a temp reading but may next time I cut a whole shee. The fan on the AM3 is small, really need another one IMO. Also clean the filter. I actually set my AM3 in my office in the A/C to help cool it.
I updated to newer version of VMD last year in the spring and that seemed to help. But I have not tried a larger file, in one run, still doing half sheet stopping and loading the other half of the file and going on. Normally I will cut half a sheet, as as I don't want it to error out. If the parts are larger usually it will run the whole file IE whole sheet. It just seems if you have say 40-50 small detailed parts on one run it will error out. But larger simpler parts its fine.
On the Z axis issue mine did it from day one and on every box I have had, but updated VMD it still does it now and again. But I set IHS to optimal and that seemed to help the Z axis creep issue as well as setting sample voltage to on. So it seemed to help it or stop it. I still keep an eye on it and have zero Z sometimes. I also have partial retract set little higher too. Also make sure you Omic cap tip is clean and the ground clamp to sheet/plate is clean.
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Jake Bertola
Member
Setting are all fine and table is dead level and square. We have had a few idea's from the tech guys when we sent emails to them. Checked all the bits inside the z-axis head for slop and for loose stuff found nothing.
Reloaded everything check everything was calibrated and right. But still does it. We are over in Australia WA. So sometimes its a bit difficult to phone up.
Thanks for that info Bo185. Have you installed another fan on your box ?
I feel your pain on the error's popping up on the large files. And can complete ruin your cutting and wast a lot of time. How do you update the VMD ? or tell what version your running ?
We do exactly what you do, divide the sheet into small cut files and cut sections at a time which helps with the errors popping up.
And also on the IHS settings we have done the same as well. Set it to OPTIMAL instead of ALWAYS. I think it is better. but haven't run it through a full sheet yet. Still cutting in sections. To scared to run a full sheet haha
Reloaded everything check everything was calibrated and right. But still does it. We are over in Australia WA. So sometimes its a bit difficult to phone up.
Thanks for that info Bo185. Have you installed another fan on your box ?
I feel your pain on the error's popping up on the large files. And can complete ruin your cutting and wast a lot of time. How do you update the VMD ? or tell what version your running ?
We do exactly what you do, divide the sheet into small cut files and cut sections at a time which helps with the errors popping up.
And also on the IHS settings we have done the same as well. Set it to OPTIMAL instead of ALWAYS. I think it is better. but haven't run it through a full sheet yet. Still cutting in sections. To scared to run a full sheet haha
I have not added another fan haven't had time and since my box is inside my office its A/C temp controlled probably won't. I'll get some temp numbers next time I run some large files stuff. Also make sure to clean the fan filter. I also would remove the cover and clean the inside. Just be very careful. Some of the early AM3 the driver boards just used clips to hold in the newer one I have is much better design inside.
Normally I only run half the file anyway as depending on what it is I will get stops from torch hitting drops most times anyway. So in Cad-Cam I nest my file on the full sheet. Then will only select say the bottom half of the sheet. Export to cut then when done, cut the top half. I have 4x8 and only cut 4x4 with large small detailed files at a time. And haven't had an issue. I have cut full sheet no issue but parts are large less detail like only 5-6 piece per part and 8x8 in size.
On your PC go to control panel, add/remove program, scroll down to TM-VMD click it to high light at botto info box it says the version newest is 1.3.2 IIR have to look on TM site. They have a download link for newest.
I had 1.2.15 and it lacked the voltage sample under AVHC area.
Under Job setup make sure ohmic is set on (green), its on the far left of the job set window. Next to it I use a partial to raise it 2-3 inches above plate depending on the drops that might get in way I will set it higher. IHS set to always, it will always touch and read plate before pierce. If set to optimal you need to set material thickness just to left it will touch ead then won't again for rest of cutting. I use "always" on thin items or file will few pierces and optimal on thicker stuff 14g with alot of pieces but depends as it saves little time. Use always for now. Also like I said make sure your tip is clean the metal its clean the ground clamp teeth are clean to part. And make sure the wire for Omic cap is routed away from torch lead.
On main VMD display in the AVHC area makes sure its set to auto at top. Set piece height and enter your voltage for the thickness and plasma amp your cutting with. Then click voltage sample to on at very bottom. I always enter book readings for voltage first even with sample voltage on as I have found it works better on first run of that sheet. but with sample voltage it will get better cuts. If AVHC is off it runs on the setting you enter for piece height/run height and will not adjust distance so you want it on.
I called support and talked about the Z issue and can't remember what we came up with. I do know that setting it correctly with newest VMD has helped. I want to say the sample voltage and IHS to optimal it helped the Z creep. I think because lacking the voltage sample before it and running in op it would lose Z position over time as it wan't touching the part every time.
I'll try to get some info on running IHS in the two various settings and get some temp readings. I still say its a temp issue with in the box. But I'll see.
Normally I only run half the file anyway as depending on what it is I will get stops from torch hitting drops most times anyway. So in Cad-Cam I nest my file on the full sheet. Then will only select say the bottom half of the sheet. Export to cut then when done, cut the top half. I have 4x8 and only cut 4x4 with large small detailed files at a time. And haven't had an issue. I have cut full sheet no issue but parts are large less detail like only 5-6 piece per part and 8x8 in size.
On your PC go to control panel, add/remove program, scroll down to TM-VMD click it to high light at botto info box it says the version newest is 1.3.2 IIR have to look on TM site. They have a download link for newest.
I had 1.2.15 and it lacked the voltage sample under AVHC area.
Under Job setup make sure ohmic is set on (green), its on the far left of the job set window. Next to it I use a partial to raise it 2-3 inches above plate depending on the drops that might get in way I will set it higher. IHS set to always, it will always touch and read plate before pierce. If set to optimal you need to set material thickness just to left it will touch ead then won't again for rest of cutting. I use "always" on thin items or file will few pierces and optimal on thicker stuff 14g with alot of pieces but depends as it saves little time. Use always for now. Also like I said make sure your tip is clean the metal its clean the ground clamp teeth are clean to part. And make sure the wire for Omic cap is routed away from torch lead.
On main VMD display in the AVHC area makes sure its set to auto at top. Set piece height and enter your voltage for the thickness and plasma amp your cutting with. Then click voltage sample to on at very bottom. I always enter book readings for voltage first even with sample voltage on as I have found it works better on first run of that sheet. but with sample voltage it will get better cuts. If AVHC is off it runs on the setting you enter for piece height/run height and will not adjust distance so you want it on.
I called support and talked about the Z issue and can't remember what we came up with. I do know that setting it correctly with newest VMD has helped. I want to say the sample voltage and IHS to optimal it helped the Z creep. I think because lacking the voltage sample before it and running in op it would lose Z position over time as it wan't touching the part every time.
I'll try to get some info on running IHS in the two various settings and get some temp readings. I still say its a temp issue with in the box. But I'll see.
L
LECS-Chad
Guest
Ok... NESTING.
In the TMCAD go to MACHINE/MACHINING DEFAULTS
Then press SETUP on the upper right corner
Down at the bottom right change the MACHINE LIMITS to something LARGER than the size of your table.
Now when you OUTPUT you will not get stuff duplicated.
IHS (OPTIMAL vs. ALWAYS)
ALWAYS - the head will always test for ohmic.
OPTIMAL - the head will check for ohmic once, and will not test until it runs out of the pre-determined (by material thickness) radius, then will test again.
I would recommend installing 1.3.2 VMD to get SAMPLE VOLTAGE along with better Z Axis handling.
Whew... hope that helps.
In the TMCAD go to MACHINE/MACHINING DEFAULTS
Then press SETUP on the upper right corner
Down at the bottom right change the MACHINE LIMITS to something LARGER than the size of your table.
Now when you OUTPUT you will not get stuff duplicated.
IHS (OPTIMAL vs. ALWAYS)
ALWAYS - the head will always test for ohmic.
OPTIMAL - the head will check for ohmic once, and will not test until it runs out of the pre-determined (by material thickness) radius, then will test again.
I would recommend installing 1.3.2 VMD to get SAMPLE VOLTAGE along with better Z Axis handling.
Whew... hope that helps.
