SF-HC25G Plasma Height Control

Manual V1.2
 Content
1 Overview............................................................................................................1
1.1 Technical Features......................................................................................1
1.2 Main Technical Data.................................................................................. 2
2 Installation..........................................................................................................3
2.1 Installation.................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Electric Installation and Connection.......................................................... 8
3 Parameter Details.............................................................................................13
4 Manual Guide.................................................................................................. 16
4.1 Manual Operation............................................................................... 16
4.2 Auto Operation....................................................................................16
5 Some M Commend Between CNC and THC..................................................18
5.1 CNC Directly Control the Output Port.....................................................18
5.2 M Function Fixed Cycle...........................................................................18
5.3 Advice Some Parameters(SF-2012 CNC)................................................19
6 Trouble Shooting............................................................................................. 20
7 Appendix..........................................................................................................21
1 Overview
1.1 Technical Features

This product adopts 32-bit arm as the core,two groups of three digital tube display, using
the numerical control mode. Internal do not contain linear adjustment devices, greatly improve
the stability.

 Speed parameters can be changed, it can make any change

according to the lifting mechanism and plasma source power.

 The circuit adopts the SMT without any adjustable elements; the
all-digital technology assures the high reliability of product.

 Simple operation,two groups of digital tube displays set arc

voltage and actual arc voltage, concise and straightforward. Only
three knob to set parameters.

 The interfaces are simple and easy to control, suitable for all
numerical control system of plasma cutting, and can also use alone

 Adopting the proximity switch initial positioning method.

 PWM output, speed adjustable level 255, precise control of motor

speed, several current setting, and short circuit protection.

 Anti-collision function, when the nozzle touches the plate, CNC

controller will quickly lift the torch to a certain distance, and
protect the nozzle effectively.

 All input and output adopt photoelectric isolation, plasma voltage

feedback using linear photoelectric isolation, and independent
power source, it can be well compatible with various brands of
imported plasma source power with voltage-divide.

 Integrate judgment and feedback function of arc start success.

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1.2 Main Technical Data

 Power Supply: DC24V±10% 3A

 Applicable Motor: 24V DC Brush Motor

 Drive Mode: PWM

 Output Current： <input current of power supply

 Initial Positioning Method： proximity switch(Normally open and

close is set through jumper cap)

 Max Control Precision: ±1 V

 Case Dimension: mainframe 145X90X42

panel 120X55X40

 Working Environment Temperature: -10～60 ℃

 Weight: 0.6Kg

 Detecting System: isolation of arc voltage divide board

(B2version)

2
2 Installation
2.1 Installation

2-1-1 CNC Controller Mainframe

2-1-2 Display Setting Panel

3
Connect negative

electrodes of

second-rectifier

of plasma source

Connect positive
electrodes of
second-rectifier
of plasma source

Connect AC 220V power Connect mainframe of THC

2-1-3 Arc-divide Board

Connect
Connect display
communication
setting panel
interface of THC

mainframe

2-1-4 Communication Cable

4
 The four M4 screw hole on bottom of height controller is used for fixing the box body onto
the installation plate. The size is shown in figure 2-1-5. You can also use DZ47 type of guide
rail to install.

2-1-5

5
Display setting panel uses two M4 screw to install, dimensions are as shown in figure 2-1-6.

2-1-6

6
 Arc-divide board uses four M3 screw to install, the dimensions are as displayed in figure
2-1-7. H is not less than 10mm.

66.5

133MM

2-1-7

7
2.2 Electric Installation and Connection
2.2.1 Interface Definition
2-2-1 Connect Lifting Mechanism

Mark Property Description Notes

MOT+ output Lifting motor+

MOT- output Lifting motor-

Cannot be used for

24V+ output Used for 3 cable proximity switch power supply
other power

Initial -positioning input-proximity switch

Zero input
mode

Limit+ input Upper limit

Limit- input Lower limit

Common
COM Common port of positioning and limit switch
port

Motor Connect lifting motor

Used for 3 cable proximity switch power supply

NPN Type
Proximity Positioning switch
Switch

Upper limit switch

Lower limit switch

24V ground used for switch common port

2-2-1

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Normally open type limit switch is recommended.
NPN normally open type of initial positioning switch is recommended.(wire connection
method is shown in appendix.)
Initial positioning switch can also use the way of protective cap+relay.

2-2-2 Connect CNC Control System

Mark Property Description Notes

Connect the power supply anode of CNC system Provided by CNC
24V+ input
output interface interface

Connect the power supply cathode of CNC

24V- input
system output interface

0-OK output Feedback signal for arc start success Output is 0V

Manual down signal-connect down output signal Low active

DOW input
of CNC

Manual up signal -connect up output signal of Low active

UP input
CNC

AUTO input Manual-Auto transfer switch(M38,corner signal ) Low active

Arc start input-connect arc start output signal of Low active

ARC input
CNC

Notes: when using this CNC system, all wire in the above form are directly connected to the
input and output interface of the CNC, relay is not needed to convert.It’s best to use shielded
cable.

9
 24V power supply anode provided by the CNC
12,24
24V power supply cathode provided by the CNC

13,25,6
Arc start success signal offered to CNC
3
Increase torch signal offered by CNC SF-2012
19
CNC Control System
Lower torch signal offered by CNC
7
Auto signal offered by CNC
5
Arc start signal offered by CNC
18

2-2-2
Wire connection diagram when working with SF-2012 CNC cutting machine control system

2-2-3 4 pin connector-connect plasma source

Mark Property Description Notes

Anode of arc-divide board 24V power Cannot be used for other

24V+ Power supply
supply purpose

VOL INT input Input after voltage divided

Arc start signal of output to arc-divide

ARCOUT output
board

ground of arc-divide board 24V power

24V- Power supply
supply

10
 9P terminal
4Pterminal
24+
V
ST
24-

2-2-3

Notes: arc start output need to use an intermediate relay, which is included in the arc-divide
board.

2-2-4 5 PIN interface-connect panel

Mark Property Description Notes

Cannot be used for other

5V+ Power supply Supply power to Panel 5V
purpose

RXD input Input of serial data

TXD output Output of serial data

GND Power supply Panel power supply ground

GND Power supply Used as a shield

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 2-2-4

This cable is included in the random accessories, 100cm in length.

2.2.2 Function of Arc-divide Board

The arc-divide board is a function block which proportionally reduces the voltage after making arc of plasma

cutting torch, then transform the voltage into a low-voltage signal reflecting the height between cutting nozzle and

material plate, and it is necessary fitting for height control in plasma cutting. Arc-divide board can choose install

location according to needs, but recommend to install it within the plasma source power, the interface of the

arc-divide board is shown in figure 2-2-5

Original arc voltage/50 arc-divide input 50:1 Arc start control output
（connect plasma
selection, prevent wrong choice for arc-divide source power）
original input before factory input

Original
arc
voltage
input

24Vvoltag
e input,
arc-start
AC control,
and
220V
arc-divide
power output
input

Arc-divide ratio adjust

potentiometer
2-2-5

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 If clockwise rotation, voltage division ratio increase (maximum110:1),e.g. Output voltage become low, take
100V input voltage as an example, if adjust the voltage division ratio to maximum (110:1), THC displays 45V.

If counterclockwise rotation, voltage division ratio decrease (minimum40:1)，e.g. Output voltage become high,
take 100V input voltage as an example, if adjust the voltage division ratio to minimum (40:1), THC displays

125V.

Arc-divide ratio adjustment potentiometer is set as 50:1 before factory, try not to adjust.

definition
24V anode Arc-start control Arc-divide output 24Vground
version

9pin plug 9 4 6 2,5

Screw terminal 24+ ST V 24-

3 Parameter details
There are three Usual parameters and two Debugging parameters: 1. Set voltage; 2. Arc
start delay; 3. Position delay. These three parameters can directly set by the buttons on the
display.
1. Set voltage
Can adjust this parameter any time use the “Height” button, the Left display is
the voltage the customer set, (unit/V). In the auto cut mode, the customer can set the
distance between the plate to nozzle, make actual voltage close to the set voltage.
This parameter can understand to the distance (height). Details parameter should
reference to the plasma source.
2. Arc start delay
Pierce time should depends on actual pierce time, different plate thickness and
different current the time is different.
3. Position delay
Position delay time is the mean, at first initial position, torch go down touch the
plate, the time from torch touch the plate to go up to a set height. The different lifter
need different time.

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3. Speed parameter
This parameter is Debugging parameter, can use the screwdriver to adjust.
Clockwise to decrease and counterclockwise to increase.
This parameter will effect the motor rotation speed and the THC reaction time. Please
See the photo 3-1.
4. Position limit switch
S1 jumper in the 1 and 2 , it is low effective, used for Normally closed switch;
S1 jumper in the 2 and 3 , it is high effective, used for Normally opened switch; The
factory default is Low effective. The location of this parameter please see the photo
3-2.
5. Position switch valid or invalid
S2 jumper in the 1 and 2 , it is Position valid, S2 jumper in the 2 and 3 , it
is Position invalid. please see the photo 3-2.

Speed and

reaction speed
3-1

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 3-2

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4 Manual Guide
Specific terms explanation : Control signal valid, means input signal and the
corresponding com(24V-) is a circle.

THC controller will do the self-test after the power on. Self-test terms: Display and main
controller display the Version no, Display and main controller communication, motor work
or not.

If the self-test can’t success, the Digital screen display abnormal or up /down limit led light
and don't perform any operation.

If the self-test success, the THC work, it have two mode: Manual and AUTO

4.1 Manual Operation

Manual up signal (UP): valid, torch goes up
Manual down signal (DOW): valid, torch goes down
Manual down signal (DOW): Longtime valid, operate Position
Arc start signal (ARC): valid, first “Position”, then control the plasma source to arc start

4.2 Auto Operation

The conditions of Automatic torch height control:
1. ARC Start signal valid (ARC)
2. Automatic signal (AUTO) valid
3. Suitable plasma cut voltage ( (SET VOLTAGE-50)~(SET VOLTAGE+60) )

Initial position: after the lifter receive the arc start signal, THC ask the lifter goes down.
Zero signal valid, that mean torch have touch the plate, THC ask the lifter goes up, goes
up time mean “IHS TIME”， “IHS TIME”finish, mean the Initial position is finished.

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 ARC OUTPUT: After the Initial position, output the ARC START signal to the plasma
source, wait some time when the voltage is stable, it will collect arc voltage

ARC Success feedback: during some time, make arc voltage to normal range,that
mean arc start is success, THC will send the (0-OK) signal to the CNC controller.

AUTO TRACK
After send the (0-OK) signal, the CNC controller think the arc start is success, it can make
the cut, at this time when the CNC send “AUTO”signal to the THC, the THC will go to track.

ARC valid position(go Zero valid

position(go
Power on
down) up)

HIS delay over

Collect ARC delay over Send signal Initial position

voltage to plasma finished

Voltage normal

Send OK Wait CNC signal CNC send Auto signal THC AUTO
signal to CNC AUTO signal track

AUTO function timing diagram

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5 Some M Command Between CNC and THC

5.1 CNC directly control the output port

M12/M13 ARC START SWITCH，M12(on)，M13(off)

M14/M15 Torch up switch，M14(on)，M15(off)
M16/M17 Torch down switch，M16(on)，M17(off)
M38/M39 THC auto/manual switch M38(auto) M39（manual）

5.2 M Function Fixed Cycle

M07 Pierce fixed cycle
Plasma cut operation as follow
M07
1. Torch down (torch down delay, see M71)
2. open arc start switch
3. If select arc test “0”(don't test arc voltage) in the parameter table, then it don't test the
voltage delay pierce delay (second)
4. If select arc test “1”(test arc voltage) in the parameter table, then it will test the
voltage, wait “arc finish success”
5. Delay “THC AUTOMATIC DELAY”
6. Open THC (M38),run the next step

M08 off cut fixed cycle

Plasma cut as follow:
M08
1. Off THC (M39)
2. Off arc switch
3. Torch up (M70)

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5.3 Advice Some Parameter (SF-2012 CNC)

Plasma mode

Initial position test 0；

Initial position test logic 0；

Torch position delay 0；

Torch up delay(M70) 1 sec；

Torch down delay(M71) 0 sec；

ARC voltage test 1；

Pierce delay 0；

Corner off THC distance 10mm；

Early end arc distance 2mm；

THC AUTO signal delay 3sec.

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6 Trouble Shooting
Trouble table

Trouble Test term methods

Power supply Power on

Motor don't turn Power voltage Test voltage

Motor block Reduce load

No display Test power supply Power on

Reconnect or change new

Just display one Check communication cable
cable

Upper limit alarm Run over mechanical value Check high limit switch

lower limit alarm Run over mechanical value Check low limit switch

Upper and lower limit

both light but can Short circle Check motor cable
operate

Signal unstable Plate should fixed ground Fixed ground

fluctuated Sensitive too low Enlarge sensitive

Low accuracy Sensitive too big Reduce sensitive

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7 Appendix
Different switch connect methods

Zero Zero

24V- 24V-

2 cable NPN normally closed 2 cable NPN normally open

24V+ 24V+
Zero Zero
24V- 24V-

3 cable NPN normally closed 3 cable NPN normally open

Zero Zero

24V-

24V-

2 cable NPN normally closed, series connection 2 cable NPN normally open, in parallel

24V+ 24V+
Zero Zero
24V- 24V-

3 cable NPN normally closed, series connection 3 cable NPN normally open, in parallel

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