Afternoon
I have been reading on here for a long time now hoping i wouldn't have to post but..
With too little research i bought a 4X4 plasma table.
Im running this BOB http://us.stepperonline.com/download/pdf/5_Axis_CNC_Breakout_Board_Interface_Users_Manual.pdf
(yes i know its not that great.)
Also using ESS by wrap9td
PM45 with MIC
ESS and BOB powered by 5v isolated from Desktop
I also have proma THC. ( i know its not much)
I went with this because of my lack of research. I also wanted to upgrade in the future if everything pans out

As of now i am trying to get the torch to fire. I appear to have good motion on XY&Z axis
it is my understanding i need to connect the Plasma start to the output or spindle relay pins on the bob.
is this correct? I cant get any signal there. i noticed there is a place for 12-24v in do i need this?
when i toggle torch on in mach 3 i can hear the relay click and i get the red led on the BOB but nothing. if someone could point me to the correct pins or point out what im missing.
I have cnc experience but not so much mach 3. Im sure this is somthing pretty simple.
at this point im not even worried about  THC i just want to get the torch to fire first.
Thank you

I do not know your BOB but if you have the relay clicking on demand then you're 99% of the way there.

You need to find the Com or Common contact and the NO or Normally Open contacts of that relay, no other voltage supply is needed.

Take these two contacts and wire to the "torch fire" lines on the PM45 connector, if you have the machine torch this should work, if you have the manual hand torch you will also need to modify the PM45 wiring to disable the manual torch safety system and make it think it has the machine torch fitted.

I do not know your BOB but if you have the relay clicking on demand then you're 99% of the way there.

You need to find the Com or Common contact and the NO or Normally Open contacts of that relay, no other voltage supply is needed.

Take these two contacts and wire to the "torch fire" lines on the PM45 connector, if you have the machine torch this should work, if you have the manual hand torch you will also need to modify the PM45 wiring to disable the manual torch safety system and make it think it has the machine torch fitted.

I have the hand torch for the moment. how would i fool the machine to think it has a machine torch.
yes the relay clicks but i cant find any voltage out of the bob. hypertherm manual says "normally open. 18VDC open circuit voltage at start terminals requires dry contact closure to operate."

Quote from: Davek0974 on December 04, 2016, 04:38:59 PM

I do not know your BOB but if you have the relay clicking on demand then you're 99% of the way there.

You need to find the Com or Common contact and the NO or Normally Open contacts of that relay, no other voltage supply is needed.

Take these two contacts and wire to the "torch fire" lines on the PM45 connector, if you have the machine torch this should work, if you have the manual hand torch you will also need to modify the PM45 wiring to disable the manual torch safety system and make it think it has the machine torch fitted.

I have the hand torch for the moment. how would i fool the machine to think it has a machine torch.
yes the relay clicks but i cant find any voltage out of the bob. hypertherm manual says "normally open. 18VDC open circuit voltage at start terminals requires dry contact closure to operate."

well cancel all that its always so simple im not sure how I didnt already have it figured out. Guess i just needed some moral support.  She fires now. forgot to install the "machine torch" thanks again

No worries, glad its working.

It is always the little things that get you.
Nice to see it working.

Mike

Just an update. With this bob you actually have to have two different power supply's if you want the input pins to work. Has to have 5v from usb and 12-24v if you want the inputs to work as they appear to powerd by the 12-24 volt connection. I have everything running good including thc now except for a problem with the post as I do not have a floating head so it offsets my z to about 1 above the part. I can delete the code manually and it works as should but there has to be a way to edit the post as I do not know how to do yet. When I'm satisfied with how it's running I'll post up a lot of things I had to look a long time for in a thread or something.