Skip to Content

Mach4 and ESS Plugin Configuration for Oxy Cutting


Used software: Mach4 4.2.0.4612. 

https://warp9td.com/files/Software/Mach4/Mach4Hobby_Installer-4.2.0.4612.exe

ESS Plugin Mach4: ESS v278.1 

https://warp9td.com/files/Plugins/ESS/Mach4/ESS_Mach4_v278.1.zip

Screen and Macros

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/M4_Oxy_Cutting_V1_Beta.zip 


STEP 1: Start by making a backup of the existing installation:

Make a backup of the configuration and file installation, we recommend creating a backup of the current installation by right-clicking

 in the current installation folder and zipping it. 

STEP 2: Add Global Registers.

If you want to install automatically download the following file and run it,

 https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/M4-ESS-OXY_CUTTING_V1.5.0.0 .

To install manually follow the steps below:

configure/plugin/Regfile

CNC4pc/THC/Pierce_Height
CNC4pc/THC/Cut_Height
CNC4pc/THC/Probe_Offset_Z
CNC4pc/THC/Z_Top
CNC4pc/THC/Z_Min_Height
CNC4pc/THC/Probing_FR
CNC4pc/THC/Probe_Enable
CNC4pc/OXY/Prehead_Delay
CNC4pc/OXY/Pierce_Delay
CNC4pc/OXY/Pierce_Height
CNC4pc/OXY/Cut_Height
CNC4pc/OXY/Probe_Offset_Z
CNC4pc/OXY/Z_Top
CNC4pc/OXY/Z_Min_Height
CNC4pc/OXY/Probing_FR
CNC4pc/OXY/Gas
CNC4pc/OXY/Pre_Oxy
CNC4pc/OXY/Max_Oxy
CNC4pc/OXY/Step
CNC4pc/OXY/Dir
CNC4pc/OXY/Mode_Button
CNC4pc/OXY/Ignition
CNC4pc/OXY/Ignition_Delay

STEP 3: Download the Screen and paste

Download the compressed file containing the macros and screen that work with the macros: 

https://www.cnc4pc.com/pub/media/productattachments/files/M4_Oxy_Cutting_V1_Beta.zip 

You will need to install the screen found in the download folder and place the macro in the macros directory for the profile folder.


View/Load Screen:

STEP 4: Configurations Tab


STEP 5: Screen Description.


PIERCE DELAY

Torch motion starts the number of seconds you set as DT after the ARC signal is determined. This can be a value between 0.1 to 9.9 seconds.


PIERCE HEIGHT

Set the Pierce height.


CUT HEIGHT

Set the Cut height.


PREHEAD DELAY


TORCH-OXY ON

  •  Activate Gas and Pre_Oxy
  •  Activate Ignition during the time in Ignition_Delay to ignite the torch.


RELAY CONTROL

Here we can configure the outputs assigned to each function


Z Min Height

Set the travel height when probing.


Probing FR

Set the velocity/FeedRate at which the probing is executed.


Z Top

Set the safety height, the Z axis will move to this height with the M2015 macro for ending the cut.


IGNITION DELAY

This time is in seconds for the ignition spark.


OFF SET_Z

Set the OFF SET_Z of the switch of a floating head as a probe when using a probe signal to determine the material position.


GAS

Activate Gas


PRE OXY

Activate Gas Pre Oxy


MAX_OXY

Activate Max Oxy


IGNITION

 Activate Ignition during the time in Ignition_Delay to ignite the torch.


STEP 6: MACRO DESCRIPTION.

M2012: Turns on the torch.

  •  Activate Gas and Pre_Oxy
  •  Activate Ignition during the time in Ignition_Delay to ignite the torch.


M2013: Does the initial pierce just before it starts cutting.

  • Move the Z Cut_Height
  • Wait for Prehead_Delay
  • Move Z Pierce_Height
  • Activate Max_Oxy
  • Wait for Pierce_Delay
  • Move the Z Cut_Height

M2015: Ends cutting.

  • Disable Max_Oxy
  • Move Z Z_Top

M2016: Turns off the flame on the torch.

  • Deactivate Gas
  • Disable Pre_Oxy

M960: Sets the system in Oxicutting Mode.

  • Sends de current Z-Axis to home.
  • Activates the relays to toggle the relay to switch the step and direction signals to the drivers controlling the oxycutting z slide.
  • Toggle the switch on the screen to indicate the mode.

M961: Sets the system in Plasma Mode.

  • Sends de current Z-Axis to home.
  • Activates the relays to toggle the relay to switch the step and direction signals to the drivers controlling the plasma z slide.
  • Toggle the switch on the screen to indicate the mode.

M964: Activates Max Oxy (start cutting)

  • Activates the relay that turns on the Max Oxy to start cutting.

M965: Deactivates Max Oxy (end cutting)

  • Deactivates the relay that turns on the Max Oxy to stop cutting.


STEP 7: Post for SheetCam: 

This post-processor works with all the data on the screen and uses the M3 and M5 macros.

Oxy Cutting Mach4 screen


in Post