Installation de MASSO Plasma et DTHC

 

 

About MASSO DTHC

The MASSO DTHC (Digital Torch Height Control) module is designed to provide digital arc voltage information from a plasma source. The module is designed to be mounted at the plasma source end then connect between the MASSO G3 controller and the plasma source. The Plasma source needs to provide a divider output.

It is important to mount the DTHC next to the Plasma source rather than the controller. The DTHC is optically isolated and mounting it at the source reduces the chance of noise entering MASSO.

The digital arc voltage data is used by MASSO to monitor arc voltage levels and to adjust the torch height while cutting parts.

Having full digital information about arc voltages, the user can easily set and adjust cutting voltages for jobs using gcode commands or on screen.

This makes it very flexible and easy for the user to set all the cutting parameters of a job in a gcode file as there is no requirement to set cutting voltages manually on an external THC.

Everything is automatically loaded in when the gcode file is loaded.

 

INFORMATION: The DTHC module is only supported with the MASSO G3 controllers as the old G2 model does not have the required interface electronics.

 

 

 

 

Linking your DTHC to your Controller

When you purchase your MASSO DTHC it is important that you link your DTHC module to your MASSO controller.

The DTHC serial number will appear in your MY WORKSHOP portal and you will be able to choose which controller you want to link it to if you have more than one.

Once linked you can download the new software with the DTHC included and load it onto your MASSO

 

Linking your DTHC to your controller in MY WORKSHOP

 

 

 

 

Specifications

  • Requires 24v power - The unit can be powered using the MASSO Power supply or a separate 24v power supply.
  • Optically isolated interface - The unit provides optically isolated digital signals to MASSO for noise immunity and protection against high voltages from the plasma source.
  • Supports multiple arc voltage ratios - The unit can be used with a plasma source with the following voltage ratios: 50:1, 30:1, 20:1 or 16:1

 

 

Arc voltage rotary switch setting

  • Rotary switch position 0 - 50:1
  • Rotary switch position 1 - 30:1
  • Rotary switch position 2 - 20:1
  • Rotary switch position 3 - 16:1

 

 

LED status indication

The MASSO DTHC module has a Green LED which can tell you the status of your DTHC module.

 

 

 

 

Wiring

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION: You can use the MASSO power supply or a separate one. If you use a separate power supply please ensure you connect the -ve of each power supply together or the DTHC will not work.

 

 

 

 

Setting up in MASSO

 

 

 

 

Configure MASSO DTHC

  • Once the system has been wired, go to the F1-Setup screen and set Input 9, and assign it the function MASSO DTHC Input.
  • Do not invert the input, ensure the invert column is set to No
  • The MASSO DTHC module data signal must be wired to MASSO Input 9 and assigned the function MASSO DTHC Input, or else the DTHC module will not work.
  • It is normal for Input 9 to continuously change between High & Low when the THC is connected, even when not being used. If the input is not flashing you have lost connectivity.

 

 

 

 

Enable plasma

  • Go to the Multi-Head Settings and select the Plasma Torch option as shown below by putting a tick in the Enable Plasma Torch box
  • Enter the plasma torch offset values in reference to the spindle location. If your machine is a plasma only machine the X Y & Z offsets will be left as 0
  • If the plasma head is one of several heads on your machine you will need to choose one head as the main head from which all other heads are offsets. On a combined Mill / Plasma combination machine the Main Spindle would normally be considered the main head. MASSO does not need to know which head is the main, it is up to the user to remember when configuring their machine.
  • Tick the Use MASSO DTHC module option to enable MASSO DTHC logic. You will not be able to put a tick in the Use MASSO DTHC module box if you have not purchased a MASSO DTHC. When you receive your DTHC you will need to link your DTHC module to your MASSO in MY WORKSHOP then download and update your software to enable the feature.

 

Linking your DTHC to your controller in MY WORKSHOP

 

 

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Probing inputs

  • MASSO has 2 sets of probing inputs Touch and Ohmic.
  • The Input logic can be inverted as required to suit your sensor. Both input logic should be LOW when not triggered and change to HIGH when triggered.
  • To invert the input logic, select the required input and press the spacebar to toggle.
  • You can choose which you want to use for your probing and switch between them as required by using the O parameter in the Gcode G200.or by using the on screen Ohmic button
  • Note that the Ohmic selection will be overridden by G200 O parameter so if you want to use full manual selection between Ohmic and Touch then remove the O parameter from G200 and it will not override your selection.

 

Ohmic Sensor

  • Wiring of the ohmic input will depend on the Ohmic unit used.
  • There is no Torch Touch Offset when using the Ohmic sensor
  • Assign an input as the Plasma Ohmic and invert as required to show logic Low when the sensor is not active.
  • If your Ohmic sensor unit has an enable input you can assign the Plasma-Ohmic Enable output    to enable the the sensor automatically when it probes. The output will change to High before the probing starts and returns to Low once the Ohmic sensor detects the material.  (NOTE: The Ohmic Enable will not be available until version 5.08 and higher is released)
  • To invert the input logic, select the Plasma-Ohmic input and press the spacebar to toggle.
  • If using you select Ohmic and the sensor does not trigger before the touch sensor you will receive an alarm. It is therefore advised that a touch sensor be installed on your system as a backup in case the Ohmic sensor fails.

 

 

Touch Sensor (Floating Head)

Setting the Torch Touch Offset.

Torch Breakaway

  • A breakaway switch is configure a MASSO input as Plasma-Torch Breakaway.
  • The input logic should be LOW when not triggered and change to HIGH when triggered.
  • To invert the input logic, select the Plasma-Torch Breakaway input and press the spacebar to toggle.
  • In the wiring example below the Resistor is located at the MASSO end and is used to limit current in case of accidental contact with Gnd

 

 

Wiring Example

Combined Torch Touch and breakaway

  • The Input logic can be inverted as required to suit your sensor. The input logic should be LOW when not triggered and change to HIGH when triggered.
  • To invert the input logic, select the required input and press the spacebar to toggle.
  • Wiring will depend on the sensor types you have on your torch holder.

ARC Ok

External ARC input

MASSO DTHC ARC detect

  • On the Multi-Head Setting page for Plasma, there is the ARC Detect Voltage which must be set up before the Arc Detect will work.
  • There is an button that is used to calibrate the ARC Detect voltage.

 

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Arc Detect Voltage Calibration Process

 

WARNING: Ensure the torch is set above the table surface where it will not burn a hole in anything, as the Plasma will start during the setup process.

This test is performed with the torch in mid air to detect the highest possible voltage from the Plasma. See the warming above.

To set the ARC Detect Voltage simply press the Button and the Plasma arc will start.

Press the button again, the torch will turn off and the ARC Detect Voltage box will fill in the ARC Detect voltage for you.

Press and you will be ready to go.

 

 

  • The voltage in the box will auto-fill with the voltage that MASSO will use as its Arc ok voltage.
  • MASSO will also create a log Auto Detect voltage test data and save it to the Flash drive.
  • This log file can be sent to MASSO for troubleshooting purposes.
  • The log file is located in the MASSOMachine Setting folder and is called Plasma_Arc_Log-001.csv
  • Each time the Arc Detect rest is run a new Log file is created with an increasing number.
  • Arc detect should only need to be run once.

 

 

 

 

Plasma On/Off

  • The Plasma On/Off output is assigned to allow MASSO to remotely turn the plasma on and off.

 

  • The plasma can be turned on by use of the M3 command or using the Plasma button on the F2 screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plasma Up/Down

The Plasma up/Down is used to move the plasma torch into position when used in a Multi-head configuration. eg combined Plasma and Spindle.

This output would not normally be used on a Plasma only machine.

The Touch would be mounted on a linear rail on a Common Z axis along with all the other heads such as spindle, scribe, laser.

The chosen Multi-Head is moved into position by a pneumatic cylinder or similar when tool 112 is selected and it moves up when another tool is selected.

The output is normally Low and changes to High when selected.

To invert the output logic, select the required output and press the spacebar to toggle.

The output can be used for other purposes as decided by the user.

An example of how the Plasma Up/Down could be wired to operate a Pneumatic cylinder.

 

 

Plasma Up/Down Output

 

 

 

 

Example Plasma Up/Down Wiring

 

 

 

 

Plasma Tab

If you do not see the Plasma tab in the F2 screen please ensure that you have selected Tool 112

Ensure you have enabled Plasma in the Multi-head Plasma screen

In MDI type T112 M6 to change to the Plasma tool.

You will see 3 Tabs in the Gcode section of the screen.

F2 Screen

 

 

  • 7 Parameters are provided on the F2 Plasma tab to allow easy adjustment of the Plasma torch while it is cutting.
  • Each parameter box can be clicked on and a new value entered into the box.
  • Touch off and Piercing is automated in MASSO Plasma and will occur on each M3 command before moving to the cutting height and these are controlled by parameters 1 to 4
  • The THC voltage can be set directly on MASSO and changed either by entering a new value or using the Torch Up / Down buttons on screen which will change the voltage by 1 volt.
  • The THC feed rate can be adjusted as needed and this adjusts the speed of the Z axis when under THC control.
  • Feed rate Anti dive is a percentage of the X Y axis feed rate and should it fall below this value the Z axis will lock when under THC control to prevent the torch falling and touching the material.
  • Parameters 1,2,3,4,5 & 7 can be set as part of the Gcode file. Gcode command G200
  • Parameter 6 is set using Gcode command M667

 

  1. Touch off Feedrate 
  2. Piercing Height
  3. Piercing Delay
  4. Cutting Height
  5. Cutting Voltage
  6. THC Feedrate
  7. Feedrate Antidive (Under development)

 

 

 

 

 

Overrides Tab

 

Overrides Tab

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Plasma works

 

 

  • The Plasma-Up/Down output goes Low to move the Torch in to the up position when a different tool is selected.

     

Plasma Resume

Gcode

Post Processors

Troubleshooting