Yestesday, I was trying to cut a file I had cut successfully before. I did link segments, and when I started to convert to cut path. , My circle that I wanted to cut went from the pic on the top (full circle) , to the pic on the bottom (conformed circle) . It seems something wasn’t right in the settings section. Has anyone has this problem before. I know this is vague, but if you have had this problem, you will understand the picture.
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It could’ve been an issue with link segments, there is an automatic linking of path segments under settings.
My initial thought just looking at the picture was that it could have been “break” or “explode” under the edit drop down. I’ve used break to split a straight line into two cuts. If I remember correctly you can also separate the lines after that, very much like what you’re showing.
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When the computer is restarted, do the settings start at a default point?
They do not, though there has been investigation into making them so do.
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I think I can create a batch file so standard settings are applied every time the program is launched. Need admin rights on the machine and I think that person may not be around these days. We may have to reinstall Windows. If we go that route might be a good idea to put it on the domain.
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Yeah there is a settings.cfg file in the software folder.
Trent, I had similar issues using it today. The settings for cut path conversion and automatic linking of path segments were off. I adjusted them some but not to default (I’m not 100% sure what default is).
I don’t recall the specific values in the settings for path conversion, but they weren’t the below values.
I just pulled up the training power point and the screen shot shows the following values:
Arc Resolution
Arc Resolution: 100
Arc recognition tolerance: 0.002
Find arcs during smoothing - Checked
Automatic Linking of Path Segments
Gap Distance to jump (inch): 0.001
Delete overlapping segments within (inch): 0
Cut Path Conversion
Offset distance: 0.03
Gap at end of loop: 0.01
Piercepoint lead-in length: 0.1
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Who decides if we re-image, move to the domain, reinstall plasma cam and do the batch file? Is that @Team_Metal_Shop? Agenda item for the next committee meeting? I’m willing to get with Infrastructure and do the work but need to get approval and coordinate with everyone.
There was also a discussion about getting a new PC for the machine. We seem to be getting by for now with what we have so I’d probably defer that for now unless we’re just gung ho to make that happen too 
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I’d say that we need to do it. @dallasmagna I’d imagine have the call on it, he seems to be straight forward if it makes sense then do it.
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There are ways around that (I presume). I’m sure @StanSimmons can “obtain access” for us if we just need to get into it.
However, I still think the other stuff, like joining to the domain and upgrade to 64-bit needs to happen, if it can… There might be some testing involved, eh?
If I were a betting man, I’d bet that the upgrade to a 64 bit OS isn’t going to happen, as 64 bit drivers for the PCI card that runs the CAM don’t exist.
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Thanks for listing those. I should have looked at the wiki page. It would be nice to have a print out of default settings laying next to the computer if someone isn’t able to make all these changes on the computer which are talked about right now. In case someone gets on the plasmacam after the settings have been overlyadjusted and will not link paths correctly. I don’t remember what is in the paperwork next to the machine.
Yeah I’m not 100% sure those are all the defaults and there are other settings that can mess with the cut too.
If I get some time this weekend I’ll browse the manual on top of the hypertherm and see if they list the defaults.
The PlasmaCAM interface is a Parallel port, either in ECP or EPP mode.
We’ve discussed trying a USB<->Parallel port adapter, but none of us has had time to do so yet.
The default thing is on my mind again because I also had issues with some bad settings on the machine recently.
And given that the parallel port is created from an add-in PCI card, it’s the drivers for that card that would be the issue…
I’ve never found a USB to parallel port adaptor/dongle that was reliable or had any kind of longevity.
There aren’t many options for PCI-E parallel port cards on the market, but ones that utilize the OXPCIe952 or MCS9901 chipset at least have 64 bit driver support.
I’ve been talking to @Chris_Wischkowsky about it. He has a special order PCI parallel port. It supposedly has a better chipset that would work better in our application.
Do you know if it’s PCI or PCI-E?
It only matters because it greatly expands the kinds of machines that we can put it into.
Ideally, we could find something with a SFF bracket option so we can use a smaller machine that we can seal.