myCNC Online Documentation

Arc Voltage measured value is displayed on the myCNC main screen. Arc voltage signal should be connected to the proper ADC input number. This number can be set up in the THC configuration dialog.

Connect the test signal (for example 24V from test power source) to the THC ADC input and check the voltage value displayed. Test signal should be connected through the Arc Voltage Divider you use (not directly to the board's ADC input).

If you don't see any voltage on the display, then:

• go to the “Diagnose” widget,
• find the ADC channel number your test signal connected to
  
  
  
  (ADC0 - channel#0 - in the example shown in the screenshot)
  
  
• set up this channel # as the THC feedback in the THC settings widget (THC feedback channel was changed to “ADC0”, Save button on the top-right of the screen clicked)
  
  
  
  
• go back to the main screen and check the Arc Voltage display.
  
  
  
  Now it shows Arc Voltage. However, the value is not correct ( 36.8V instead of 24V) and the Voltage ratio should be adjusted.
• go to the THC settings widget again and fix the “ADC/Voltage” ratio. The value should adjusted to

  K1=24/36.8=0.6522

  
  Current ratio is “0.1” (on the screen above), so total ratio would be

  K=0.1*24/36.8=0.06522

  
  

• Change the ratio to the new values, then press Save
  
  
  
  
• This should result in the correct value being displayed on the main screen
  
  
  
  

After the initial ADC setup has been completed, more granular THC settings can be adjusted. These are all located in Settings > Config > Technology > THC

The screenshot above illustrates the default values only. “Recommended” values depend on machine speed, sheet thickness, plasma power source and torch type, and thus will vary from user to user. In this manual, values that are suitable for one particular configuration will be shown.

In order to set up THC properly, follow the instructions below:

1. Select the green check mark in the THC Enabled field.

2. Select the number of THC you have in your setup (usually 1)

3. Select the feedback channel as described in the procedure above.

4. Select your reference voltage. This can be done in two ways:

- By using a value from literature (by going to the Tool Configuration window, or your manufacturer's manual tables)

OR

- By first disabling THC and bringing the plasma arc to a desirable position and then recording the reference voltage.

1. Disable THC & IHC
2. Set desired height from the sheet
3. Make a test straight cut and check Arc Voltage during the cut (it is “96V” for the setup below).
   
   

This second method is recommended for more experienced users who want more granularity and quality control.

5. Select the proper ratio, as described in the Initial Setup part.

6. Set the THC Maximum Speed (usually set to be lower than the usual machine speed to make the movement slightly less erratic)

7.

"Alarm Arc Voltage difference..." and 
"Alarm Arc Voltage Rise" settings help to prevent the torch diving while
 moving through the cut, on low speed corners etc. 

However, if the reference voltage is very different from the real measured voltage 
(more than these values), Height control may not start at all. You may want 
to temporarily set these values to "1000" to disable this feature and test 
the THC.

THC PI-control ratios may vary depends on a sheet thickness 
and plasma power source type. 

The higher the P-ratios absolute values, the higher the Height Control Speed. 
According to our experience, I-ratios should be set to "-2...-6". 
Higher I-ratio values may lead to oscillation during height control. 

Both P- and I-ratios should be NEGATIVE for Arc Voltage Height Control (as we are trying to inversely compensate for voltage changes). 
This means - 
The higher Arc Voltage (if compare with reference position), 
The Lower should be Position.

The next step is to check if THC is ON in the User Settings.

It can be a button in User settings of an item in PLC settings. Both settings will turn THC on/off and both represent the same variables - the user can decide which one they want to use.

Turn THC ON in User settings and make a test cut.

1. Check that the “Arc Ref” voltage is about the same as the measured “Arc Voltage”
   
   
   
   
2. Check “THC Low Speed” led is OFF
   
   
   
   
3. “THC Speed” display should show the current Height Control Speed. The current implementation takes the display speed to be in internal machine units, so the absolute “THC Speed” value might not correspond to the actual physical speed of the machine. However, this is still useful since you can see the following:
   1. “THC Speed = 0” means THC is off
      
      
      
      
   2. “THC Speed” is positive - Height Control moves torch UP, usually because the Arc Voltage (and the current height) is lower than reference value
      
      
      
      
   3. “THC Speed” is negative - Height Control moves torch DOWN, usually because the Arc Voltage (and the current height) is higher than reference value