Thread: How I rigged (set-up) my oxy torch On Mach3

hello,
I picked up a homemade project from a estate, it has Mach3.

Not having a plasma cutter ready to go, I first used a small 2 hose oxy/propane torch
from a track burner (the one with a butterfly oxy valve)

I cut allot of items with it, but wanted better.

In all my years of having a tracer (magnetic spindle) electric eye machines, as well
a nesting and programming for others, I have never used a set delay time for pre-heat.
(nor seen it done in industry)

There are too many variables to get it right. (the pre-heat time)

I dug out a 3 hose torch, and a solenoid valve made for oxygen.

I wired up the following hand selector switch (jog, plasma, oxy)
as well as when in "oxy" there is a relay to latch the oxy solenoid valve.
(mach 3 at the end of the cut shuts it all down nicely)


Using a .25" torch height, and the same for pierce, with "no delay in movement"
I can get the slag to pretty much always go "behind"
instead of the old way of leaving a slag deposit wherever.
(and sometimes in my way when coming back around to the start
on narrow slots, thereby killing the cut)


When in "oxy" mode, run your SheetCam post same as for plasma,
make sure Mach3 has "THC" set to "on".

Upon cycle start (light torch beforehand), machine will rapid to position, and wait.
When plate is sparkling a bit (ready for oxygen) push green start button on remote
console. Oxygen will flow, and motion will start.

The cut will progress un-aided (as the latching relay is holding in the oxygen solenoid)
until Mach3 shuts off the torch.

Then it will rapid to the next cut, waiting for your closure of the "oxy" green start button again.

When set to "Plasma" the circuit is set up to send the "plasma start" signal,
and receive back the "ok to move" from the plasma unit.

"Jog" is a momentary position, allowing "o.k. to move" answer back to Mach3,
to testing purposes.

"Pin 15 opto board" is your standard printer port pin designation.

I get accurate repeatable cutting down to 1/8" when done with water
up to the plate underside.


So if your building a machine, and can't afford the plasma portion just yet,
start off as I did (you could even use a hand torch) and get your machine
up and running this way, making parts.

When you get a Plasma power supply and torch, your already wired, ready to go.

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