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Contents

Chapter 5 Operating the Machine 5-1 Laying Out Parts on the Cutting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Clearing Grate Stops and Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Laying Out Small Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Laying Out Large Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Laying Out Parts to Use Sheet Edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Cut Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Adjusting the Machine Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Setting the Kerf Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Setting the Torch Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Setting the Torch Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Setting the Z Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Setting the Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Cutting Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Loading Material into the Cutting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

Controlling the Cutting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11

Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11

Speed/Shuttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11

Jog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12

Cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12

Stop and Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12

Operating Mode Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13

Interrupted Cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13

Loss of Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14

Maintaining the Cutting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15

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5 Operating the Machine

The PlasmaCAM cutting system has been specifically designed for the purpose of quickly and easily transforming your concepts into actual cut parts. This process can be summarized as three basic steps: 1. Obtain the image medium. For example, take a picture and scan it. Or, obtain a CAD

drawing from a customer. Perhaps even draw up a new design in the PlasmaCAM software.

2. Import and convert the image into a form that can be cut. The design is usually transformed first into continuous closed paths, then into cut paths. Refer to CHAPTER 6 and CHAPTER 7 for information on how to do this.

3. Cut the shape. This chapter focuses on how to set up and control the machine for purposes of cutting out shapes.

Saving Files As you work with cutting parts, remember to save your computer files as appropriate. In general, you should periodically save your drawings. In the event of a program or computer crash, you don’t want to lose more than a few minutes worth of work. (You may want to save your work before doing Detect Intersections, Cut Preview, Convert to Cut Path, and cutting.)

Furthermore, always save a drawing to a temporary file after it has been converted to cut paths and placed in the cutting area where it is going to be cut. This makes it easy to finish cutting the part if you have to restart the computer or program. You will probably want to save the drawing again as more of it is cut, especially if the shape is large and must be cut with multiple setups.

The best time to save a permanent copy of a drawing is after it has been cleaned up and just before it is converted to cut paths. Such a drawing can be loaded at a future date and modified as needed (resized, for example), reconverted and cut. Be careful not to overwrite this permanent file by saving to the same filename the drawing after it has been converted to cut paths. A drawing converted to cut paths is not nearly as useful for future projects, because it is not easy to modify. However, you may want to in some cases save a permanent copy of the part both before and after conversion to cut paths.

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Laying Out Parts on the Cutting Table Decide how you are going to lay out parts based on the size of the part and the material that will be used. The diagram shown below illustrates how the cutting area of the cutting table corresponds to the cutting area shown on the computer screen (see also CHAPTER 6):

4ft x 4ftcut area

X

Y

origin

Note that the origin (0,0) is at the corner of the cutting table near the control box. This corner corresponds to the lower left corner of the cutting area shown on the computer screen. The X and Y coordinates that display in the computer program are in inches and are referenced from this origin.

Clearing Grate Stops and Points If you are cutting thin material (less than 3/16” thick), be sure to position the parts to be cut so that none of the cutting paths pass near any of the grate stops that are used in the machine. Otherwise, the torch can hang up on one of these and cause the machine to lose its position and even to be damaged.

If possible, also try to lay out parts so that the cutting paths do not cross over grate points on the machine. (Grate points are the raised knobs on the grate that actually touch the material being cut.) You can display the grate points on the computer screen and position parts so they miss them (see Settings under VIEW COMMANDS in CHAPTER 6). Carefully positioning parts can make your grate last ten times as long.

Note that a deteriorated grate can be flipped upside-down and the other side can be used before it is discarded.

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Laying Out Small Parts Small parts are easiest to lay out, because you can simply position them within the cutting area at a location where you plan to load the material. Typically, you will want to position the parts in from the edge by a small margin (about ¼ inch) so that enough material exists for cutting the perimeter without problems (see example shown at lower left).

cuttingarea

usedmaterial

Move Tocheck points

Suppose you have only a small piece of material—rather than a full sheet—from which you want to cut a part (see example shown at upper right). After you load the material into the machine, you can use Jog and Shuttle on the control panel to move the torch over to where you want the part cut. (You will notice that the torch position is visible on the computer screen as a small yellow cursor.) You can then use Rotate, Move and Torch Point Snap in the software to move the shape on the computer screen to where it needs to be. In order to verify that enough material is present to cut the part, use Move To and pick various points on the outer corners of the shape. The torch will move to these locations on the cutting table, and you will be able to see if sufficient material is present for the part to be cut.

Laying Out Large Parts Large parts (longer than 4ft) can also be cut by the table. However, a little more careful layout and setup is required. If practical, lay them out so that a long edge uses an existing edge of the sheet. Consider the example shown below—a one piece silhouette that is 10 feet long.

Before you convert a large shape into cut paths, use Move and Rotate (see CHAPTER 6) to position the shape in the exact position where it will be cut on the table. You will need to adjust the cutting area under Settings (see VIEW COMMANDS in CHAPTER 6) to a size that is large enough to contain the shape. The example shown below requires the 4ft by 12ft cut area.

When you use Convert to Cut Path on the shape, you will be asked whether or not you want the shape automatically broken up into pieces as required for cutting in individual cut subareas (each of which is 4ft by 4ft—see also CHAPTER 6). If you choose to do this, then all you will have to do to cut the entire shape is to select it and choose Cut. After one section has been cut, the machine will pause so you can move the sheet down to the next position. (See CONTROLLING THE CUTTING TABLE in this chapter for more information on pausing.)

If necessary, you can stop the machine and use Move To to place the torch position exactly at the end of one cut and the beginning of the next cut. You can then adjust the sheet so that a visible

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4ft x 10ftsheet pierce

points

firstregion

thirdregion

secondregion

pierce point exactly lines up with the torch. Note that repositioning long sheets is easiest if two grate stops hold the X placement and rotation of the sheet. Then all you have to do is adjust the Y placement when you reposition. Otherwise, you will have to adjust the X position, the Y position, and the rotation of the sheet based on two pierce points. This is a difficult operation and is easier done if you adjust the computer drawing in order to achieve the final alignment. If you must do this, use Jog and Shuttle to line the torch up with two cut points. Use Line(s) with Snap to Torch Point to draw construction lines indicating the points on screen. Then use Move and Rotate with Snap to NodePoints to position the drawing so it aligns with the material.

If you wish, you can convert a shape and then manually modify the perimeter so that it is made up of separate cut paths, each fitting within the 4ft x 4ft cutting area. An advantage of doing this is that you can sometimes avoid having to break up holes within the perimeter for cutting in separate subareas. The above drawing—which has three zones that each fit entirely within a 4ft by 4ft subarea—and the last example in CHAPTER 7 both show this.

Laying Out Parts to Use Sheet Edges Sometimes it is convenient to not cut the entire perimeter of a part, but to instead use one or more existing edges of the sheet as edges for the part. The above drawing and the last project in CHAPTER 7 both show parts that utilize existing edges of sheets.

To incorporate edges of the sheet into the design of a part, first place the part at the edge or corner of the cut area using Move with Snap to Table Edge. When you use Convert to Cut Path, you are asked if you want the sheet edges to be used automatically (see CHAPTER 6).

If you do not automatically convert the shape to use sheet edges, you can break it after conversion. Keep in mind that the part must be moved before it is converted, otherwise the part will be too large by ½ the kerf width of the torch. Use Break and Delete to remove the areas that do not need to be cut. Then use Edit to fix the starting and ending points as needed, and reconvert to a cut path.

An important thing to remember when using the edges of a sheet in a design is that the part will only be accurate if the Torch Location Adjustment is properly set in the software (see ADJUSTING THE MACHINE SETTINGS in this chapter).

Cut Order If you select more than one cut path and choose Cut, you will notice that the paths are cut in a

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particular order. When you automatically convert shapes with holes, all the paths converted are sorted by location, and so that the holes are cut before the perimeter. Furthermore, large shapes that are broken to fit in multiple cut subareas are sorted so that everything is cut in order of ascending cut subarea. (This helps you to avoid having to reposition the sheet more than necessary.) Every time you use Convert to Cut Path, all the new paths converted are relocated so that they are last in cut order. You should check the cut order of paths before they are cut using Cut Preview. You can easily change the order of one or more paths as needed using Reorder Path(s) (see CHAPTER 6).

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Adjusting the Machine Settings In order for the cutting table to perform properly and to cut accurate parts, some basic settings must be adjusted according to your plasma torch.

Setting the Kerf Width Properly set the kerf width of your torch before attempting to cut any parts. Use the machine to make a reasonable, straight cut in an ordinary piece of material. Then use vernier calipers to measure the exact width of the cut. Divide this number by 2, and enter the result at Offset distance (1/2 torch kerf width) under Path Conversion of Settings (see CHAPTER 6).

Setting the Torch Timing When you first squeeze the trigger of your plasma torch, you must wait a certain amount of time before the torch pierces the metal. A typical hand torch first begins a preflow of air, which is followed a couple of seconds later by the initiation of an arc. Approximately a half a second more is then required before a hole is pierced through the metal. Plasma torches typically continue a post flow of air for a certain amount of time after you stop cutting. If you squeeze the trigger again during a window of time after the last cut ended (typically about 10 seconds), the torch begins cutting immediately.

PlasmaCAM allows you to synchronize the machine to the timing of your torch so that the cutting motion begins immediately after the torch pierces through the material. Timing is set under Machine Control of Settings. If you check Wait for cutting signal before moving, the machine will trigger the torch and wait until arc voltage is detected (up to 5 seconds). The threshold for a valid cutting voltage can be adjusted at Min/Max cutting signal under the Advanced button in Height Control of Settings. If the arc voltage is between these settings, the software considers the torch to be cutting material. Once this cutting signal is detected, the machine waits an additional amount of time as specified in Time spent piercing hole before cutting motion actually begins.

If you uncheck Wait for cutting signal before moving, the machine will not look for a cutting signal before beginning cutting motion. You can use this setting with a cutter that does not produce a valid cutting signal for some reason. The machine will trigger the torch and begin motion after the specified delays, regardless of whether or not a signal is present. You can experiment with your torch to determine the appropriate time delays, or you can look in your plasma torch manual. If you notice the machine spending too much or too little time piercing holes, adjust the appropriate settings (see Settings under MACHINE COMMANDS in CHAPTER 6 for more information).

In order to significantly reduce consumable wear, make sure the timing parameters are properly set so that the torch doesn’t try to cut too long in one spot or cut the same area twice. This makes the torch try to cut in open air, in which case you may hear sputtering or interruptions in cutting. Note that plasma torches using high voltage type starting mechanisms (which should not be used in the machine—see CHAPTER 4) create lots of EMI during these moments, potentially causing electronic malfunctions.

Setting the Torch Location Depending upon how you clamp your torch, its tip may not be located exactly where the software believes it is. In order to accurately cut parts at or near sheet edges, you will need to set the

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Torch Location Adjustment to compensate for this deviation. (If you are just learning the machine, wait until you are much more familiar with it before attempting this calibration.)

To determine and properly set the Torch Location Adjustment, first make sure that the kerf width is properly set as explained earlier in this section. Also, Offset to correct for torch kerf width should be checked in Settings under Path Conversion. Under Machine Control, set both X offset of torch (inches) and Y offset of torch (inches) to zero (temporarily).

click here to convert

convertedcut path

originalrectangle

Then draw a rectangle in the program from “0,0” to “1,1” (a one inch square placed in the lower left corner of the cutting area). Use Convert to Cut Path to offset and convert the square as shown. (Choose Yes when asked if you want to Automatically convert path to utilize sheet edges.) Place a square piece of material in the origin corner of the cutting table, securely held against grate stops. After you cut out the square, use vernier calipers to measure its height and width. Finally, set the Torch Location Adjustment figures according to the differences between what is measured and the ideal square of 1 inch. For example, suppose the width you measure is 0.800 inch and the height is 1.100 inch. You would need to shift the X in the positive direction and the Y in the negative direction for better accuracy. You would set X shift to 1.000 – 0.800 = “0.200” and Y shift to 1.000 - 1.100 = “-0.100”. If you were to then recut the same square, you would find that the square measured very close to 1 inch by 1 inch.

Note that because of physical limitations in the travel of the machine, the software warns you about too large of an adjustment. For example, if you clamp a torch 6 inches to the right of the holder and enter “6.0” in the software, you will not be able to cut over the entire 4ft by 4ft area of the grate.

Note that you can also use the Zero buttons to reset the Torch Location Adjustment according to the current position of the torch. You can move the machine by hand until the torch tip lines up with the edge or corner of a sheet and press Zero buttons to automatically set the adjustment.

This method works especially well on the Z shift. After you initialize the machine, put a flat piece of material on the grate and make sure the correct thickness is entered at Material thickness under Machine Control in Settings. Slowly lower the torch tip using Jog and Shuttle until the tip just touches the material. Then press the Zero button next to Z shift.

Setting the Z Axis The cutting table’s Z axis can be configured from Height Control (see Settings under MACHINE COMMANDS in CHAPTER 6) to operate in several ways during cutting:

If you check Raise and lower between cuts, the Z axis will move up to the Height for rapid travel between cutting and down to the Height for pierce at the start of cutting. Otherwise, the height of the Z axis should be manually adjusted for cutting using Jog. You can optionally check Sense material to set height (useful for any uneven material where the machine would otherwise have trouble maintaining the right pierce height). This will move the torch down toward the material until contact is detected. Then the torch moves back up to the pierce height to begin the cut.

If you check Use torch height control, the machine will read the arc voltage of the torch through

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the torch control cord (see CHAPTER 4) and maintain the requested height during cutting. You should calibrate the Arc voltage shift of your torch under System Configuration in Settings so the machine actually maintains the Cutting height you are asking for. Otherwise, the height of the torch will drift for successive pierces. For example, if you enter a Cutting height of 0.12 and you observe the torch actually cutting at a height of 0.05, increase the Arc voltage shift setting by 0.07.

The Advanced button allows you to change other settings related to the height control. Although you can enter a Height tolerance as small as zero, use a larger number (such as 0.03) for non-critical applications to make you Z axis motor last longer, since it won’t have to run constantly trying to maintain the exact height setting. You can tell how much the Z axis motor is running by watching the “active” indicator light on the control panel.

Set the speeds and zones for climb and dive as desired. These settings affect how quickly the torch either climbs or dives in response to changes in arc voltage. If the speeds are set high and the zones and tolerance are set too low, the height control may oscillate. If this happens, increase these settings as needed. It is generally best to have a faster climb speed and a slower dive speed. This helps to avoid crashing the tip into the material.

Note that the machine resets the Z position after every piece that is cut (not during a dry run where “Auto” is set to off). If you are using the height control, the position is reset to the cutting height setting. Otherwise, the position is reset to the pierce height setting. This helps the machine better follow material as it warps up and down. Make sure sufficient travel is available so the Z axis does not hit its stop when trying to follow warped material or when raising to the height for rapid travel. If this happens, the height will not be correct at the next pierce.

Always be sure to have the correct thickness entered at Material thickness under Machine Control in Settings. You can enter the material thickness as a decimal, a gauge (don’t use gauge for aluminum or brass) or a fraction.

Setting the Speeds You can set the speed and acceleration for rapid travel using Settings under the MACHINE menu (see CHAPTER 6). The rapid travel settings apply not only to the automated motion in between cutting, but also to Move To, Jog and Shuttle (only to limit maximum Shuttle speed). Using a lower acceleration setting will cause the machine to change speed more gradually, while a higher setting will result in very abrupt movements. The X and Y axis motors contain brushes and will actually last longer if frequently run at high speed. For this and other reasons, high rapid travel speed is generally recommended.

You can also set the speed and acceleration for cutting. Using lower acceleration settings will cause the machine to slow down more when going around corners. If you enter a number greater than zero for Slower on circles under the machine will also slow down when cutting curves and circles. The larger the number you enter, the more the machine will slow down.

You can change the rapid travel speed of the Z axis as well. For general applications use a medium speed such as 40 inch/min, as the Z axis is more likely to stall at maximum speed.

Cutting Speed When selecting a cutting speed for a part, refer to your plasma torch manual for the material you are going to cut. The amount of cleanup work required for removing slag (or dross) is greatly dependent upon the cutting speed and plasma current. Parts that are cut under the right conditions require almost no work to clean up.

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Also consider the tradeoffs between speed and accuracy when choosing a cutting speed. When speeds are slow, the motor positions are more accurately controlled and the position of the torch head is also very accurate. At high speeds, the motors must exert high forces on the moving parts in an attempt to overcome the inertia of the drive system mass. (The inertia of the motors further complicates this.)

Choose cutting speeds according to the accuracy required. Lower the speed and plasma current for more accuracy and longer lasting equipment. Although the PlasmaCAM cutting table can cut at high speeds, its performance is best when the cutting speed is between about 35 to 200 in/min. Note that you can change the cut speed easily while you are cutting (see CONTROLLING THE CUTTING TABLE).

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Loading Material into the Cutting Table When loading or unloading material into the machine, exercise caution to avoid injury. Remember that the grate of the machine uses sharp points to support sheets of material for cutting. Always wear gloves and be especially careful not to trap your hand between the sheet and the grate underneath.

Never drop or bump heavy plates into the machine. Although the cutting table can handle plates of up to 1 inch thickness, they must be gently lowered into the machine to avoid damage.

When cutting shapes from sheets that are larger than 4ft x 4ft, use additional supports to hold up the areas of the sheet that are not supported by the table. The illustration below shows how roller stands can be used to support the other end of a thin 4ft x 8ft sheet:

gratestops

rollerstands

In general, position three grate stops in the machine as shown. The two side stops maintain the proper X placement and rotation of the sheet, making the sheet easy to reposition for further cutting. The stop shown at top can be moved around depending on sheet positioning.

Always raise the Z axis and move the torch out of the way (use Move Home) when loading and removing parts, so that the moving torch and machine parts are not struck by the material.

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Controlling the Cutting Table In order to control the cutting table, you will need to connect the personal computer and run the PlasmaCAM software. When the machine is initialized by the software (see Initialize in CHAPTER 6), the machine can be controlled.

Control Panel Shown below is the control panel of the cutting table. The control panel contains features that extend the capabilities of the machine beyond what the software is capable of. Each switch and indicator is explained separately in the next few pages.

Power The power switch turns the cutting table on and off. When the machine is powered up, it must be initialized before you can use it (see Initialize in CHAPTER 6).

Speed/Shuttle The Shuttle/Speed dial allows you to crank the machine’s torch across the cutting table. Shuttle is useful for fine tuning the torch’s position to a precise location. The X, Y and Z buttons control which of the three motors is affected by the Shuttle dial. Shuttling motion is speed sensitive; slow rotations create very small motions while quick rotations create larger motions. You can only shuttle the machine after it has been initialized. (The computer must also be present and idle; you may notice the machine control window appearing on screen during Jog and Shuttle.) The computer keeps track of where the torch is during shuttling and prevents you from crashing the machine into the end stops.

You can also shuttle the torch to trace along the current cut path when the machine is paused

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during cutting (see below).

You will want to frequently adjust the speeds depending upon what you are cutting or doing with the machine. You can change speeds while the machine is running using the sliders on the computer screen, or by turning the Shuttle/Speed dial on the control panel. To adjust a speed on the control panel, press a button for rapid speed, cutting speed or Z axis speed (if the speed you want to change isn’t already selected) and turn the dial to adjust the speed. You can see the current speed setting on the computer screen. Press reset to restore the speed setting to its state before adjustments were made.

Jog The Jog buttons allow you to move the machine’s torch across the cutting table at a constant speed. (You can change the speed during jog by turning the Speed dial.) Jog is useful for quickly moving the torch around and out of the way. The speed and acceleration of X and Y axis jogging is based on the program’s rapid travel settings (see Settings in CHAPTER 6). The computer keeps track of where the torch is during jogging and prevents you from crashing the machine into the end stops.

You can only jog if the machine has been initialized and is idle (you may notice the machine control window appearing on screen during Jog and Shuttle.) During cutting, the right and left arrow X/Y jog buttons are used to trace back and forth along the cut path at the current cut speed from pause. The Z axis can be jogged any time during a command. Jogging the Z axis during cutting with the height control activated actually changes the cutting height setting. This setting can also be seen and changed at the slider bar on the computer screen when the machine is running.

Cutting The Cutting button allows you to override the machine’s automatic control of torch switching. The state is normally set to Auto so the machine controls the torch. However, you can turn the cutting control off to stop the torch during a problem or to do a dry run. You can also momentarily turn the torch on by holding the Test button.

If Wait for cutting signal before moving is checked in Settings, the cutting indicator illuminates when the measured arc voltage is within the range for a valid signal. Otherwise, this indicator illuminates when the trigger command is sent to the torch.

Stop and Start If the machine is running, you can start and stop it regardless of what it is doing. The first time you press the Stop button—either on the control panel or on the computer screen—the machine enters pause mode. When the machine is paused, you can have it resume what it was doing by pressing Start. You can also change any of the program settings (such as speeds or timing parameters)

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by pressing Settings. If you press Stop again (on the control panel, or Close on the computer screen), the machine control window disappears from the computer screen and the machine command is terminated. You will want to occasionally pause the machine for several reasons. Pause allows you to stop the machine long enough to address a variety of potential problems—such as protruding metal pieces that threaten to hang up on the torch—without disrupting what the machine is in the middle of doing.

You can set the machine to pause before cutting or rapid travel (see CHAPTER 6), if you really want to be careful. If your computer is in a room separate from the cutting table and you cannot see what the table is doing from the computer (not especially practical), you will want to pause the machine from the computer screen immediately after choosing a machine command—so you can walk to where the cutting table is and resume operation.

Always be ready to stop the machine immediately in the event of a crash. Possible causes of this include the torch hanging up on parts, the machine losing its position and hitting end stops (see below), or drive parts not being correctly mounted and aligned (see CHAPTER 8). Otherwise, the table will not be able to accurately position when cutting.

Operating Mode Options The following table shows what the control panel items can be used to do depending upon what the machine is doing:

Machine Command

Start Button

Stop Button

Speed Dial

Axis Buttons (X, Y, Z)

Jog Buttons (X, Y, Z)

Initialize - stop - - - Shuttle - stop shuttle any axis select axis jog Z axis

Jog - stop change speed - jog Z axis Rapid Move

paused -

resume pause end

change speed change speed

select speed select speed

jog Z axis jog Z axis

Cut paused

- resume

pause end

change speed trace on path

select speed select speed

jog Z axis jog on path

Note that you can jog the Z axis any time no matter what the machine is doing, as long as it is initialized.

Interrupting the Cutting If you want to stop the machine while it is cutting, press Stop. This pauses the machine, and turns off the torch automatically. To resume cutting again, press Start. The machine will wait for the torch cutting arc (see Setting the Torch Timing), then it will resume the cutting motion.

While cutting is paused, you can make the torch travel back and forth along the cut path using Shuttle or left/right Jog. To recut a section, back the torch up to where the torch needs to begin. In fact, you can move the torch to any location along the path and resume cutting from that point—just by pressing Start. However, you can also hold the Test button to recut an area while using left/right Jog to trace along the path.

If cutting is accidentally terminated for any reason—such as loss of power, torch hangup or bad speed settings—you can easily finish cutting the shape later, if the drawing was saved on the computer. Depending upon why cutting was interrupted, you may need to reinitialize the machine (see the next section) and even reposition the material to be cut.

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When cutting is prematurely terminated, only the cut paths that remain to be cut from the previous selection will be selected on the computer. Otherwise, use the computer to select only the parts of the shape that still need to be cut. If cutting was interrupted part way along a cut path, you can finish cutting the path using one of two methods, depending upon how long the section is that has already been cut.

If the section already cut is short, just select the cut path and cut it again. Turn the control panel Cutting to Off and press Stop when the torch starts moving along the cut path. Use Jog or Shuttle to trace along the path to the point where cutting needs to resume. Then press Start. If the section already cut is long, use Break from the EDIT menu (see CHAPTER 6) to break the cut path a little before the cut was interrupted (you may have to disable NodePoint Snap in order to break the path at the right point). Select and cut the part of the path that still needs to be cut.

Loss of Position When the cutting table is initialized, its position is zeroed (or homed) at one corner against limit switches. Until the machine is initialized again, the software has no way of knowing if a mechanical problem has caused the exact position to be lost.

For example, you may hear the clicking sound of a pulley belt skipping teeth because of a worn pulley or belt, low belt tension, excessive acceleration, or torch hangup. (See CHAPTER 8 to address drive system problems.) The software has now lost the actual position of the torch (because the electronics tracks the torch position using the motor encoders).

Always be prepared to stop the machine in order to avoid a crash.

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Maintaining the Cutting Table Periodic maintenance is required in order to keep your PlasmaCAM cutting table working properly. Follow the instructions given in CHAPTER 8 after every few hours of use.