Our CNC plasma cutter design software is included with every machine and is compatible with Microsoft Windows, CAD and Gcode files. It is intuitive, making it easy to use, and requires little training. With a short design upload time, you can simply and quickly move your ideas and designs into production. The CNC cutting software includes a range of commonly used shape templates to provide inspiration and design guidance. The software not only creates and prepares designs for cutting, it also runs the machine, ensuring the laser pointer has perfect project alignment and cut height.
Controller & Software
Our CNC system has been designed in-house from the start, to control large cutting machines and includes the following features not found on most hobby systems. With a great range of features, and an extensive range of accessories available, you can be sure your Escco CNC machine will meet all your requirements.
Forward and Reverse Along Cut Path
Steel warms up when cut and can flex when the manufacturing stresses are removed, this can cause the plasma or gas cutting stream to be extinguished. Pressing the backup button causes the machine to reverse along the cutting path so the cut can be re-established, reducing scrap.
Nesting
Semi-automatic nesting fills plates with minimum wastage, allowing multiple parts to be cut from a sheet. Also row and column array nesting with adjustable scrap allowance makes the most use of the plate.
Run Screen
The uncluttered run screen has a logical layout with a large interactive graphical display area showing the profiles to be cut with current cut position, part cut indicator and overall size. The graphical display includes comprehensive zoom functions, full nest view, twelve level zoom, auto zoom and finger zoom. There are zones dedicated to motion, height sense and cut control around the display.
Super Hole
To achieve the best quality plasma holes they should be cut with an arc lead-in, reduced speed with fixed height sense, the plasma should be turned off at about 350 degrees and the cut continued with some over burn until the hole is complete. The Techserv CNC system carries out all these tasks automatically with no need to pre-define parts or holes.
Touch Screen Interface
Designed from the outset to operate with a touch screen, the CNC system features large easy to press buttons, with large text and specially designed screens to replace standard windows explorer etc.
Part Selection
Complex nests can be imported to the controller and individual parts selected by tapping the relevant part on the screen, useful when a part has been damaged or lost.
Jump to part
On the run screen, touching a part will cause the machine to move to that point and commence cutting.
Diagnostic Functions
The CNC system has comprehensive diagnostics and test screens allowing all functions to be confirmed including reconfigurable inputs and outputs.
Machine Configuration
A password protected configuration screen gives access to the machine’s set-up parameters. A backup is automatically created whenever this information is modified. The email data button sends the machine’s set-up file to our offices for storage or diagnostics.
Automatic Cut Parameter Screen
Simply select the material thickness, type and the cutting current you want to use and the system sets up all other parameters automatically, including cutting speed, initial height, cutting height, pierce delay, arc voltage etc. Also when flame cutting, the gas pressures are automatically set using a proportional pressure valve.
Inbuilt Generic Shapes
The system has a number of inbuilt shapes ranging from rectangles and rings through to lugs and floor plates. Selecting a template from the generic shape screen and following the simple dimension prompts creates a part that can be cut with no further programming.
Manual Control
Each process features a manual cut screen with cut on / off control, multi-direction jog and height sense controls. Traverse speed and cut speed is controlled automatically.
Control
Cutting speed can be varied on the fly, along with all height sense parameters, oxygen pressure etc
Height Sense
The CNC system includes a digital automatic plasma height sense system. Arc voltage control can be set via the inbuilt look up tables or self-measured and set. Typical following accuracy is +/- 0.1 volt and typical loop response is 2 ms.
Easy Shape Selection
The system can import programmes from a wide range of systems, including ESSI, Word Address, GCode and DXF etc. Parts can be previewed prior to selection and then rotated, mirrored and scaled if necessary.
Lost Cut Recovery
Jobs can be halted during the cut and restarted at a later date. This is a useful feature allowing urgent parts to be cut when the machine is tied up during a large nest, or if the cutting has to be stopped for another reason.
Dynamic re-position
Using the pop up jog panel, parts can be moved around the plate in test mode and moved to the correct position. This feature is used if the material to be cut is an irregular shape or the parts are a tight fit on the plate.
Data Logging
The CNC system produces a daily log file, detailing most functions including, cut on, gas on, job running, job name, screen name etc. Data is logged per second and an offline viewing programme gives an easy to read visual indication of any day’s activities, along with a job list with timings.