[runlevel6]

Hello all,
I have a Torchmate 1 Plasma system I built quite a few years back. The signal generator died about a year ago...And much like many others on this forum, my jaw hit the floor when I got the quote to replace the part. They are telling me that the cost of replacing the signal generator alone is about half the cost of what I originally bought the ENTIRE torchmate system for. I am largely a hobbyist and can not justify those costs. Of course, when I first bought the machine, the hobbyist / small busines was the type of customer that torchmate maketed themselves toward...I think they are an entirely different vision now.

My question is: Is there any alternatives that I can use to replace the signal generator? Can I just use a breakout board for that?

My system is the old school one where the signal generator was a stand-alone box connected to the PC via serial port and then a cable to the torch on/off control... The step drivers (Applied Motion #2035's) and power supply are in a separate box connected to the signal generator via DB25.

I would like to use my existing step drivers and motors since they are still good, but I understand I will probably need to change to a different control software since the torchmate software wont recognize other devices.

Please provide some suggestions...I have been without an operable table for about a year now and my own research has only turned up discussion on motors and drivers, i have not found anything on replacing the signal generator. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

[Teknition]

Call or email Tom at CandCNC and ask him what your options are. If you end up having to retrofit all the electronics and motors, at least you will never run into "you can only buy our product for $$$$" problem again.

http://www.candcnc.com

Brad

[runlevel6]

Thank you for the advice. I believe that is one of the sites that someone pointed me toward over on Pirate 4x4 and the moderator deleted it under the reasoning that he is paying for the forum and hes not going to let links where people will just knock off his machines with it....

I bought a torchmate...and I just want to cut parts with it. Charging me half the cost of the machine for a glorified breakout board is not acceptable. What is even less acceptable is not desiring to provide a solution and trying to hinder someone from using the machine you purchased from them for the simple reason that you can't justify the cost of the replacement parts. Who does that? If I want to buy a car part...I don't have to got to the dealer.

[MAS]

Keep an eye on ebay. I saw a few there some time back that sold for a ridiculous low price. You'll regret switching to mach 3.

[PlasmaGuy]

IIRC your sig/gen is/was built by Flashcut. They may be of help to you.

[Splinky]

I have a couple of these sitting in my garage along with the stepper drive boxes to go with them. I also have a couple of Torchmate THC control boxes and one THC lifter assembly. They are all used but functional. Send me a PM if you want to discuss further.

[journyman26]

I know this an old thread but can you post how you built your own signal generator