[nammaris]

Hello,

I've bought a plasma machine from China (http://www.aollaser.net/) but later on found out it was from (http://www.feimaicnc.com.cn/Default.aspx), nevertheless, no support from both companies.
Plasma: Huayuan Welder (LGK-100)
Controller: Microstep CC-3SA (www.startsh.com)
Plasma Height Control: Starfire (SF-HC25G0)

When the machine came, the menu was in Chinese language, and the manuals I received did not show how to change the language, so I sent them an email, and they told me to use the code (GG3).
When entering the code a secret menu appears, and since I don't know Chinese, I started selecting one by one until the language changed. Since I am a "lucky" person, the first option was FORMAT CNC It took me ages to reconfigure the machine to a state where I can operate it and cut in the correct dimensions, but I am still unable to make it properly work as it should. Too many arcfail error if I enable "Arc Strike Feedback" while it shouldn't, if I enable Location Feedback (zero plane finder) it just hangs even though there is a switch for that..... and the list goes on.
And for the THC, if I have a plate with a slope, and the torch is going down the hill THC seems to work fine, but if I try to move it uphill it will collide with the plate and make a short circuit.

Does anyone here owns the same or similar hardware who might be able to help?

Thank you in advance.

[Cergei]

Hi. We have the same THC unit. I may be able to help you with re-congratulating your CNC controller.
I got a CNC table from China that i hooked up to a Plasma cutter we had lying around the shop. I communicate directly with the factory and their engineers are very helpful.
If you can send me specifics to your problem(s), I can ask the guys in China.

[nammaris]

Dear Cergei, it will be great if you can help me with this.
Please send me screen shots for each page in the (Parameters) section (Syst, Spee, Ctrl, Craft, Figure, Mach, Circle...etc), because i never had the chance to see or even save them because the menu was in chinese, then had an accidental format while changing language and everything was deleted and wrong numbers everywhere now.
From which company did you buy your plasma?
And how to use the THC? What is the correct way to use it? I know the first knob (left) to set the DC voltage (to maintain a constant height while cutting), the right knob to set the piercing height, but could not understand the middle knob, what is ARC delay?

I hope to hear from you again.
Attachment 358458

[Cergei]

Hi,
I got the machine from a Chinese company called XYZ Tech in Jinan City, Shandong Provicne, China

I have a manual for the CNC controller in English. The translations is a bit off, but given a bit of thinking, im sure you can interpret the meaning. I will try to upload it here. otherwise I will have to send the file to you via e-mail.

As for the screen shots, i will upload them as soon as i get back from China where i currently am.

As for the THC, for it to work correctly, it has to be hooked up properly to your Plasma cutter.

The THC divider board is set to receive the actual torch voltage 1:1 though it can be reset to accept 1:50 by de-soldering a jumper on the board. By your picture of the THC controller, you should have a reading of 000 for Actual Voltage. I do not see any reading. Have you hooked up your plasma cutter correctly to the Starfire controller board?

You are correct about the Arc Voltage and the HTC Delay. The center knob Arc Delay will set the delay time that starts after the plasma ark had fired. Set the delay long enough for the Plasma to cut through the metal.
If you have any further requests, you can leave them here or forward them to my e-mail address: [email protected]

Regards,

[nammaris]

Hi,
Tomorrow I will go to the shop and take a picture for all connections (its 22:30 here now) . But I have checked the connections, they seem right.
As for the manuals, I was able to find them on the internet after a long search (can be found in my dropbox). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b2zlxzka4...p5hUhqg-a?dl=0
And for the Actual Voltage, it only start showing voltage while cutting (will double check if it goes to zero after cut is finished). Maybe at first switch on it will show empty.
Can you test THC without cutting, by only putting a metal plate under the torch head and raising/lowering it and check its feed back?

Assuming all connections are correct for now, can you please send me pictures of your configuration as per attached pictures (these pictures are after the accidental CNC FORMAT).
As for the center knob, isn't that value configured under the CRAFT section in PARAMETERS (Pierce Time)? Or this has no meaning since THC will be controlling this value now?

My email is [email protected], please feel free to reply anywhere you like.

Regards,

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[nammaris]

Hi, sorry the pictures just loaded, let me check them and i'll get back to you.
Sorry for that.

[nammaris]

Hi Cergie,
I have the manual for CC-S3A which is almost the same as the one you uploaded and the pictures you have sent, I understand the majority of the concept but I am unable to implement it or properly configure it in the controller.
That is why I am searching for a ready configured controller (screenshots), and from there I will continue testing and troubleshooting.

From the manual page 46, if I configure the plasma using the bottom picture (with location check and arc strike success check), the machine will go down till it touches the plate, retreats a bit, then hangs, it will not start the program.
And if I configure it using (without location check and arc strike success check), it will lose the arc mid way majority of the time, or will not success in arcing in the beginning with the error ARCFAIL, until now i did not understand the reason behind these two configurations.
So I ended up turning off location signal and arc strike signal (my work around for the time being).

As for corner speed and circles speed, what are the recommendations and proper values.

Tomorrow I will go to the shop and take a picture for all connections.

And for the Actual Voltage, it only start showing voltage while cutting (will double check if it goes to zero after cut is finished). Maybe at first switch on it will show empty.
Can you test THC without cutting, by only putting a metal plate under the torch head and raising/lowering it and check its feed back?

I am new to CNC world and plasma, tried my best to solve it by myself by reading all kinds of information, but I have reached my limits and need help.

My email is [email protected], please feel free to reply anywhere you like.

Regards,

[Cergei]

Hello Nammaris,

I will take pictures of the settings as per your request as soon as I get back to the Philippines. I will be home on April 22 and be reporting for work on the 24th.

About the THC Delay display, i remember when I had a wrong connection between the controller and the plasma cutter, that display was erratic, displaying numbers that kept jumping randomly. As soon as i got the connections right, it always displayed 000 when not cutting.

Yes, you can test one aspect of the THC without cutting. You can test for the distance between the plasma nozzle and the metal plate. This distance is listed on the plasma cutter manual depending on thickness and kind of metal.
If you dont know how to do that, this is how. Either on Automatic or Manual, press the down arrow button to lower the plasma head. As soon as the plasma nozzle touches the metal plate, it will automatically go up.

Check the distance between the nozzle and the metal plate. Turn the THC Delay clockwise and press the down button again. The distance will increase. If you turn the knob full counter clockwise, the nozzle will not lift from the plate. It follows that fully clockwise, the nozzle will lift almost 3 inches from the plate.

This is about it as far as testing the THC without cutting, otherwise the plasma torch would have to be ON and the THC will track the height via the voltage.

Likewise, I myself am fairly new to plasma cutting and CNC. We got 3 CNC machines, Plasma, Laser and Router. I am currently in China for follow up training on the CNC Router. The Plasma and Laser, I have figured it out by myself.
I will ask the engineers here about your problem with the the ArkFail and will get back to you.

Have a good week end!

Regards,

[nammaris]

Hi Cergei,

Thank you for explaining in details about the THC. I have figured that out, but I was asking of there a way like the one in this video https://youtu.be/_C-44e3BfkU?t=295

As for the Actual Voltage screen, i tried it today and it was showing 000 after turning on, I think in that picture it was a matter of LED refresh rate and camera's FPS. So all is well at this stage.
I will try and make a small sketch showing how my plasma is connected

Which plasma machine do you have? I am using LGK-100IGBT by Huayuan Welder. Can you please share the torch to plate distance and other cutting parameters that you have in your manual? Mine does not have these info, I have to keep testing every time I get a plate.

Since you can ask the engineers, can you please ask the following (unless you have an answer of course):
1- About the middle knob vs the Pierce time in the parameters menu under CRAFT, do they both work in parallel, or the knob overwrites the one in the parameters?
a- if it overwrites, what is the minimum and maximum time for the middle knob in ms (milliseconds)?
b- if they work in parallel, for example if i set the time to 0.5ms in CRAFT menu, what will be the actual value at minimum and maximum (middle knob) position?
2- What is the difference between PIERCE TIME and FIRST PIERCE TIME under CRAFT menu? Which one shall we configure?
3- From the manual page 46, which graph will our machines be following? And if we can use both, what are the correct parameters for each case?
4- My THC only follows the plate's ups and downs when i have the hidden potentiometer fully counterclockwise (full sensitivity), and still facing some slowness in automatic cutting to lift the torch when facing a ramp, but very fast in going down it even hits the plate at the end of cutting holes, how can i tweek it?

Wow, same here, but with more machines, My dad bought 6 machines, 2 routers (6090,1224), 2 lasers (k40=40W and 1390=150W), plasma (1020) and fiber laser (30W). The learning curve is sky rocketing. Everyday I am learning something new whether in hardware or software :idea:. If you need any help in router and laser (or plasma) or maybe software wise, please don't hesitate to contact me on my email. I will share my humble knowledge whenever I can.

Enjoy your training and stay in China and wish you a nice weekend.

Regards,
Nael

[Cergei]

Dear Nael,

Hi. I can help you with the manual as i have a copy here on my notebook, which will be sending to your email since pdf files are not supported here.
Its a Cutmaster 152 by Thermal Dynamics. It did not have the connections needed for the unit to be controlled remotely by a CNC, so I had to open the unit and "hot wire" it, so to speak.

pages 4T-10 lists recommendations for plate thickness in mm and in inches, output voltage, ampere settings, speed, standoff, air pressure etc.
pls take note that these specs are for the Cutmaster with a specific torch tip. Maybe you can use this as more as a guide than an actual reference to values.

I will be meeting with the engineer again on Monday and I will take your questions to him. Based on your questions, I am quite sure that you know a lot more about this machine than I. hehe.

Though I have access to these guys here in China, its good to know that I can also turn to you when I run into some difficulties. Communicating with these guys over chat while Im back home really takes time. I have to chat with the sales lady who sold us the machines because she understand English. She has little if no idea on the operations of said machines. She then translates my questions and sends them to the engineer who is in the factory who may or may not be at his desk. (I guess you can picture the scenario...)

About that video you shared, unfortunately, YouTube is blocked here in China so that will have to wait till I get back. Ok!

Hope the manual helps!

Regards,

[Cergei]

Your in luck!

I had a worker at the factory take pictures of the setup pages and sent to me. I just received them.

Here is what our CNC table looks like.

[nammaris]

Oooh Cergei, much appreciated. Please just send me the remaining of CTRL and CRAFT (there are more parameters below).

Such a huge plasma. And if I am not mistaken, they bought it from Feimaicnc and put their logo on it, same as what happened with me, I have bought i from AOL, and then they told me we cannot support you, email feimai because it's their machine, and of course no one replied.

Happy Easter.

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[nammaris]

Dear Cergei,
For the recommendations, for sure it will be a guideline for me or at least a starting point close to reality, and not just trying some infinite combinations DC voltage, Amps, speed.....etc.

When I receive the remaining part from CTRL and CRAFT page that were missing, I will sit and try to figure out what kind of configuration they have done and which graph it represents from page 46, maybe it will shed some light and make me understand some stuff that I dont until now.

Communication with Chinese companies... tell me about it, maximum one reply per week that is if they replied. Try to get out of them all the information that you need.
I am at your service, I will reply and support you whenever I can.

Please don't forget to send me the pdf file at your convenience.

Happy Easter,

[nammaris]

Hi Cergei,

I hope your visit in China was fruitful.

Any good news?

Best Regards,
Nael

[Cergei]

Dear Nael,

Hi. Just got back last Saturday. Started work Monday and got very hectic with lost of rush and pending jobs that was not manages during my absence.
In short, I forgot... Sorry for that.

Anyway, here are the missing screens you need.
I hope they work as our machine seems to be working fine.

As for your question: 1- About the middle knob vs the Pierce time in the parameters menu under CRAFT, do they both work in parallel, or the knob overwrites the one in the parameters?
a- if it overwrites, what is the minimum and maximum time for the middle knob in ms (milliseconds)?
b- if they work in parallel, for example if i set the time to 0.5ms in CRAFT menu, what will be the actual value at minimum and maximum (middle knob) position?

According to the Engineer, the value you set under Pierce time in the parameters menu under CRAFT will be your maximum. The middle knob will adjust downwards of that value. So if you set for example: 10 ms. the full clockwise setting of the knob will be 10 ms. and full counter clockwise will be 0.

For the rest of your questions, i could not get the engineer to understand the question. We kept going around in circles so i gave up. I sent your questions via email and hopefully, someone on the other end will get an accurate interpretation of the question, hopefully... an answer as well.

Your machine should work as well as ours with the values i gave you. So far, we dont have any issues ... (fingers crossed).

Warm Regards,

Cergei

[nammaris]

Hi Cergei,

Thank you for your support.

I have configured my machine using you parameters and made some small tests, still getting ARCFAIL message 50% of the times and the arc stays on without any movement burning the metal all around it (seems like the controller is not getting the signal for successful arc to start moving).
Any idea?

And can you please email me the manual you have told me about containing the cutting parameters and piercing heights?

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Nael

[Cergei]

Hi Cergei,

Thank you for your support.

I have configured my machine using you parameters and made some small tests, still getting ARCFAIL message 50% of the times and the arc stays on without any movement burning the metal all around it (seems like the controller is not getting the signal for successful arc to start moving).
Any idea?

And can you please email me the manual you have told me about containing the cutting parameters and piercing heights?

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Nael

Hi. I ran into this problem some time ago, I found the fault not with the CNC table or controller, but with the Plasma torch. It I had a worn out electrode. After changing it with a new one, the problem was gone. Yes, this happened about 50% of the time before i changed the electrode so maybe you should check that first.

I also sent you the manual last April 15. Let me send it again.

Regards,

Cergei

[nammaris]

Hi Cergei,

Thanx for the file. If you sent it by email before, then I did not receive it, if here then maybe I missed it the first time and couldn't locate it. Now email received

As for the Arcfails, I was using a brand new electrode and nozzle. I will have to look around for some answers.

Best Regards,
Nael

[Zmel]

Hi Sir, can you help me also with my plasma, my plasma and yours are the same, other wires not connected going out from the panel like atepper motor, plasma limit switch, all going outside, do you have any manual sir, wiring diagram, if none can u also help me to run my cnc plasma, I emailed u in your email, pls help me sir

[walo]

Hi Cergei,

Thanx for the file. If you sent it by email before, then I did not receive it, if here then maybe I missed it the first time and couldn't locate it. Now email received

As for the Arcfails, I was using a brand new electrode and nozzle. I will have to look around for some answers.

Best Regards,
Nael

Hello sir, I build the same system as you have:
Split divider SF-HC30A
THC controller SF-HC25G
Controller SF-2100C

But my problem is that is not possible to disconnect the trigger, Do you have any solution or comment on this issue?

Please see my videos in order to have a better explanation of my problem.

http://youtu.be/ALrpFmlr1LI

http://youtu.be/Ukf4uCbZHIQ

http://youtu.be/BH0s1NULLGI