Machine Alternatives Question

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alton.carroll
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Machine Alternatives Question

Post by alton.carroll »

Hi, I am in the process of designing my machine, and I have determined that Hypertherm & Lincoln machines would bust my budget. I found a couple machines that have CNC interfaces, but the voltage is output is 1:1. My assumption is the voltage signal needs to be lowered for the Centroid THC, but I didn't find a reference that says it does or doesn't. I would like to us Centroids THC, but cannot afford the supported plasma machines. Can anyone offer an alternative solution? I found several other torch height controllers, that have dividers built in, but again I like Centroids products. Any information would certainly help me...thanks in advance.

Also, I have already built a CNC Mill with Centroid Acorn, so I am familiar with that part of the build.
Joey
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by Joey »

All high performance THC's requires clean divided Arc Voltage output from the plasma unit. . We have only found Hypertherm and Lincoln to have usable divided voltage output but haven't tested Miller or Thermal dynamics yet. I just saw a Hypertherm powermax 1000 being sold on Jeff's "CNC Plasma Table Builders" Facebook page for $800.

Centroid is working to offer a solution for cheaper plasma power supplies. Main issue with cheaper power supplies is they only offer 1:1 or "Raw Arc". If they do offer divided voltage like Primeweld and Everlast. The amount of "noise" or interference coming thru the divided voltage renders it unusable.
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IronHead Brew
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by IronHead Brew »

Joey wrote: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:46 pm Centroid is working to offer a solution for cheaper plasma power supplies. Main issue with cheaper power supplies is they only offer 1:1 or "Raw Arc". If they do offer divided voltage like Primeweld and Everlast. The amount of "noise" or interference coming thru the divided voltage renders it unusable.
Based on the manual for the Cut60 I recently got, it also has a pin-out for 1/50 and 1/16 divided voltage. Is this and indication that Primeweld has fixed the issue and Centroid just hasn't tested it yet? Or is that voltage also still too noisy?

Rich
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landmark573
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by landmark573 »

I would say it's not an indication of the quality of the divided output voltage. I have an Everlast 50s unit that has a divided voltage output on the CNC connector, but it is also not acceptable for most THC.

The Everlast is a simple voltage divider resistor board that allows you to select the ratio. I wonder how Hypertherm and Lincoln clean up the divided voltage.
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by Joey »

I've checked out the Cut 60 and the Everlast that both have a devided voltage output and both have extreme interference
Tho Primeweld has just updated there Cut 60 with a new internal board. Will be checking that out next week.
nicolasjolliet
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by nicolasjolliet »

I also have an everlast 80, and I also love centroid products ( I have a mill and lathe with acorns).
I was wondering if one could take the everlasting raw voltage (bypass it's noisy divider) and pass it through a good quality voltage divider/filter such as this one:
https://www.poscope.com/product/plasma- ... plasmadiv/
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by Joey »

Thanks for the post! We have an Everlast 82i in house also. We just ordered the Polabs Voltage divider and will give an update on our findings.
nicolasjolliet
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by nicolasjolliet »

Ah that's great, I hope it works
IronHead Brew
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by IronHead Brew »

Hey Joey,

Any progress on testing these? Would love to get the THC working on mine.

Thanks,
Rich
'98 era AXYZ 39" x 39" Router
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jcoldon
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Re: Machine Alternatives Question

Post by jcoldon »

there voltage divider bords out there Robot 3T has one that works well . Proma electricconna has one also
robot 3 t link https://robot3t.com/en/san-pham/thc-divider-board/
Proma voltage divider https://proma-elektronika.com/product/p ... e-divider/

now if yor not thinking of using the acorn THC unit it not Gona work very well not buy there thc
if money is a true problem you cant buy acorn i suggest a my plasm controller. believe me acorn is a well designed unit worth the money
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