How to connect a Proma Compact THC 150 to MASSO and set it up. MASSO works with THC units that send Arc OK, Z Up and Z Down signals. THC units that drive the Z axis directly with step and direction signals aren't supported.
Applies to
MASSO G3 and MASSO G3 Touch, software 5
You need
Proma Compact THC 150, separate THC power supply, shielded cable
Plasma tool
Tool 112
INFORMATION
Buying a THC for a MASSO G3 plasma? Consider the MASSO DTHC, which is designed to integrate with the controller.
Control signals
Wire each THC signal to a MASSO input and assign it as shown. Each signal goes high when active.
THC signal
Goes high when
Assign MASSO input as
Arc OK
The arc has started successfully (required)
Plasma Arc OK Signal
Z Up
Z should move up
THC-1
Z Down
Z should move down
THC-2
INFORMATION
The THC only controls Z after it's turned on in the G-code with the correct command sequence (G200, M3, then M667). See How MASSO Plasma Works.
Wiring example
WARNING
Power the THC unit from its own power supply, as shown below. Sharing MASSO's supply bypasses the input optical isolation and can cause noise problems or damage MASSO.
This wiring is recommended by the Proma 150 manufacturer. Plasma sources produce high voltages and electrical noise, so wire it exactly as shown and use shielded cable.
Setting up MASSO
1
Enable plasma. In Multi-Head Settings, enable Plasma Torch and leave MASSO DTHC software module required unticked, or the Proma won't work. On a standalone plasma machine, X, Y and Z offsets can stay at 0. Torch Touch Offset compensates for the torch height relative to the touch-off switch; it isn't used for ohmic touch.
2
Assign the THC inputs (Plasma Arc OK, THC-1, THC-2).
3
Assign any other inputs your machine needs.
4
Assign the plasma outputs as needed.
5
Check the input states. Each input should show low when inactive and high when active. Invert any that don't (for example Plasma Arc OK, THC-1, THC-2) by selecting the input and pressing Space.
G200 and post processors
From software version 5, G200 is the standard way to run plasma on MASSO G3: it defines how the plasma operates. G200 with no parameters switches to legacy mode, where every step must be done manually in G-code. Read the G200 page before cutting.
These version 5 post processors work with any THC unit, or with no THC:
