My 5x10 complete table with Powermax 85 combo

[Walter]

New to the forum here and looking to hopefully share and gain new info to help out on my new Bulltear 5x10 table with Hypertherm Powermax 85. Just recently received about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Looked like it had a rough trip but nothing major damaged except a bent reference tab for the x axis and a broke link on the cable chain. The Best part about these tables is that it almost matches my tractor to a tee:headbang:. I had a little bit of computer issues but Matt is in the Process of taking care of it now. Don't make fun of my set up in my barn, planning on pouring some concrete this spring, but couldn't pass up the awesome deal Matt had going on at the end of last year.

[Blicker]

I'm so jealous!

[Walter]

Got my computer back yesterday and went to try it this am and the breaks will click with the reset button but it will not allow me to move any of the axis. Any thoughts?

[jeepsr4ever]

No values for motor tuning and its a 2 minute fix. Email sent

[Walter]

New computer is working great. Had to load adobe on to read the pdf files and when I loaded it, it dropped the ip address for the machine, which was a head scratcher, but After reading the manual that I put adobe on to read, I got it squared away pretty quick. Only trouble I'm having now is that the Xbox controler won't move the machine. Any thoughts?

[Walter]

Here was a stange problem I had. happend about a month back and I went away with wiggling a wire. Last week it came back again. The
Y axis sounded terible, almost like it was binding up.
498
pulled the heat shrink back and found the green wire was pulling loose. Crimped a new connector and it was good to go again.
499

[Walter]

Here some stuff I've cut out on it.
500
It does a great job on .5 plate with 65 amp want to give 45 amps a try on it.
501

[jeepsr4ever]

Hmm those cuts look great. We will keep a sharp eye out for those wires.

[Walter]

It cuts fantastic! I'm amazed with it. Want to give the wiggle peirce a try with some 45 amps on .5", going from 85 to 65 made a big difference. Any thoughts on the Xbox controler not working?

[jeepsr4ever]

Go to Mach 3/config/config plug ins and see if it is turned on or even in there. If not I can send you a download link.

[Walter]

Checked the configuration plugins and no luck probably gonna have to download it. Just got it back in place after pouring concrete. Cut out a few brackets out of .5" and a top for my welding table. 510509

[jeepsr4ever]

Download link

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/XBox360Controller.dll

Then install and go to Mach3/Config/Config plun ins and enable the plug in. Then config it. We config like this (we only make these changes to how it comes in the program)

X Set X home
Y Set Y home
B Stop
A Cycle start
Right joystick up and down Z axis
Start zero all

[djreiswig]

Never had much luck with the wiggle pierce. The ramp pierce seems to work much better. Set pierce delay to almost nothing. Cut some 3/4 with a PowerMax 65. Shoots quite a rooster tail on the pierce, but will do it without fouling the nozzle. I think the book says max pierce is 5/8.

[Walter]

I'll have to gI've it a try when I get some thicker stuff to cut. About 1/2 is the thickest if cut. I've got some 1.25 stuf I'd like to try at some point with it but probably have to edge start.

[Walter]

Still having trouble with mach3 shutting the pc down. Got everything hooked straight to 20 amp recepticals with 20 amp breaker and 12 guage wire. Still scratching my head over it. Any more thoughts Matt?

[jeepsr4ever]

It most likely is not related to Mach at all other than it is running when it happens and has control of the Ethernet port. Do you notice anything turning on when it happens like your air compressor?

[Walter]

Doesn't happen when the compressor comes on or off. Just happened while the compressor was just running. Could coiled up ethernet cables cause an issue. I may try to get some shorter ones. Computer stand is right at the box about 4 ft away

[jeepsr4ever]

I wonder if you aren't experiencing a power failure or a power fluctuation on the AC portion for the PC. You mentioned you had 120v circuit for the PC and a separate one for the control box. They aren't on the same breaker are they?

[Walter]

I've got the blade runner on the same breaker with the THC and the computer is a different breaker with the Ethernet hub.

[Walter]

Got windows updated yesturday on and my computer and still does the same thing. Any other thoughts?

[jeepsr4ever]

It could be the Intel management engine. If that is installed try un-installing. The strange thing is that that is the second PC from a different mfg and both tested out here. At any rate try searching for the Intel Management engine and uninstalling it.

[Walter]

Not finding an Intel management engine on it. I'm gonna try see about updating drivers. I would think a completely different computer wouldn't do the exact same thing.

[jeepsr4ever]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75vL7s1_lWU

[jeepsr4ever]

You could also try a dry run without the hub plugged in. (Just stabbing at the wind)

[Walter]

Well did some cutting yesterday before sending my hub out and cut almost a full sheet of 3/8 without a lick of trouble! 520
Then after delivering my part in high hopes the problem went away I put on a plate to cut out otie 521 it shut down on the second one I cut out.

[Walter]

Will it hurt anything to cut without the hub. Other then not controling the height? Actually while trying to trouble shoot it yesterday I forgot to plug the hub in the usb and it cut those headache rack inserts and it didn't have any trouble at all.

[jeepsr4ever]

If you can get it to cut without the hub that is amazing. I do not see any issues.

[Walter]

Well tried it again today and the torch may or may not fire when cutting don't know what happened with those headache rack inserts the other day. 98 perices and it cut out on one cut that I backed up and recut now today it will fire 1 for every 3 tries. Guess I'll have to wait for the hub to return :sad5: but going on vacation this week so good time to send it out.

[devinfox]

Can you post the cut perimeters you used to cut Otie out with? Is that 10-11ga? That is amazing detail. What size nozzle were you using? Nice work!

[Walter]

Thank you, Just running 45 amp fine cut consumables. Using the specs in the hypertherm powermax 85 manual. Does an awsome job cutting small stuff for such a large table! Got some bottle openers to try but waiting for a part to return

[Walter]

Well got my part back, of corse it's the same one with a note saying nothing wrong with it, and they didn't send my cable back with it so after figuring out what kinda cable it was I borrowed one from my printer and tried it again and my luck, the same problem. What to try next?

[jeepsr4ever]

We need to review your grounding and your PCs proximity to the plasma table. The only way for noise to enter would be through the USB cable. I can send you another hub but I suspect the issue has to do with the setup. Sorry for the issues Walter you have been great. We will get to the bottom of these issues for you but we need to get back to square one.

[Walter]

Well ran 1/0 wire from the table straight to a 5/8" 8' ground rod and still have the same issue. I don't think I can ground it more then that.524525

[Walter]

On a better note, Everything I do finnish cutting looks amazing 526

[jeepsr4ever]

The replacement hub will be there shortly

[Walter]

Well tried the hub today and it still shuts down. Tried unplugging the eithernet cable for the plasma from the blade runner box and exact same thing. Any thoughts on what to try next

[jeepsr4ever]

What configuration settings did you change from when it came to you. The PC you sent in had some Mach 3 settings in sheetcam enabled. What else was done?

[Walter]

Havnt adjusted any settings on sheet cam only settings I've changed on the computer were the acceleration values in mach that you told me to change on computer that came back. Other then that the only technical things I had to do was input the ip address that it dropped after installing adobe reader.

[jeepsr4ever]

Did it shut off before you installed Adobe? The reason I am asking is Adobe reader also installs several things on your internet explorer and sometimes installs Google chrome hooks.

[jeepsr4ever]

I really don't think Mach, the PC or the controller has anything to do with random shut offs. I would replace the extension cord for the PC and hub power. If you aren't using the hub and don't get any shut offs then you use it for THC that would tell me your pulling more power. One short and bam...PC doesn't have enough power and blinks off.

[Walter]

Hear anything about possible problems yet?

[Walter]

Matt
Sent you an email with a screen shot. Didn't see the Intel management on there.

[Walter]

Are yall out of the shop this week?

[jeepsr4ever]

Absolutely here but we had two days with Hypertherm. That set us back a little. You may need to meter the incoming power on your PC while your cutting to see where your power surge is coming from. This will tell us if it is the line to the PC. It is definitely NOT the PC. We ruled that out several times by sending a different PC and running yours. It is not the HUB you tried a working hub and yours also works fine. The only component that could be replaced now would be the Controller. But before we even attempt that we need to know that the PC does not see a line surge.

[Walter]

Back in town Matt so let me know when the box sends out.

[jeepsr4ever]

Will do, should be Monday/tuesday

[Walter]

Still no boxes yet?

[jeepsr4ever]

One has been prepped for you. But I want you to do one more thing. Go to your power settings in windows and default everything. Try your cutting again.

[Walter]

Only think that seemed to change on the power settings was the screen screen shut off time and the sleep mode time. Still shut down. Even tried turning the display to recommend setting instead of high performance. Is there another power setting somewhere I may have missed?

[jeepsr4ever]

Ok Walter the last piece of this strange puzzle will be there on Wednesday. Let us know how it works out please. You may need to call in for tuning values..ect.

[Walter]

Well tried leaving the screen unhooked along with the mouse and keyboard with no luck. I'm gonna try ordering some more power cables and ethernet cables that are as short as I can get away with this week. And I'd like to try putting mach and sheetcam on my laptop if it wouldn't be to much trouble.

[devinfox]

Have you had any luck getting this sorted out?
My computer was doa when I got my machine(bad ram or something), but I was able to take the hard drive out and clone it to a little solid state drive I had for my laptop then install it in there and run it for a while as my computer was being replaced. It worked pretty well, some of the display settings were wonky and I couldn't see the whole mach screen. It did work tho and all setting transfer that way.

[jeepsr4ever]

I think we found his issue last night. The Ethernet or USB driver is being allowed to turn off the PC to conserve power when the PC is using its most resources while cutting. Walter should know very soon.

[Walter]

Well got the pwm in today so I ran out to give it a try and still the same thing. Only about 8 to 10 volts show on mach. Think the 50 to 1 in the hypertherm could have died ?

[jeepsr4ever]

You need to test the divided tip volts on the little black plug. It should put out 3.0-3.2V DC when you fire it.

[Walter]

I'm getting .1 volt. That's with a craftsman meter. I'm gonna grab my good fluke tmrw at work and I'll test with that and see what I get.

[jeepsr4ever]

Sounds like the divided tip volts board died in the Hypertherm. You should also test it AT THE CPC on the back of the unit to eliminate the cable from the issue. Check your manual for a pinout of the CPC. Youll need to jump pins 3 and 4 to get it to fire and run your meter on 5 and 6 to check voltage.

[Walter]

I checked with my other meter yesterday and ended up with .1 volts on the head phone jack. I'll check direct to the plug and see what I get. Do I need to get in touch with hypertherm if that test bad?
.

[jeepsr4ever]

No, I will see that a divided tip volts replacement field install kit gets sent to you directly from Hypertherm.

[Walter]

Okay checked between 5 and 6 while jumping 3 and 4 with 45 amp tip and came up with .2 volts

[jeepsr4ever]

Did jumping 3 and 4 keep the torch on?

[Walter]

As long as the jumper was in it stayed on.

[jeepsr4ever]

Ok we have been in contact with Hypertherm and are having them drop ship a replacement CPC divided voltage field install kit. PLEASE return the defective one to us and any other extra parts.

[Walter]

551552553554 Just wanted to post some pictures of how good the table does cut, and how easy it is to go from 16 gauge to 3/4 material.