Today’s SwiftCut Issue

[Brad93]

I would say what @tigdlo says would be the way to go. A dedicated PC to run the Plasma. You could use the laptop for CAM side of things and transfer via ethernet to the PC. All my CNC's are connected to my desktop via ethernet and I can sit at my desk and do the CAD/Cam/Code generation then transfer to the CNCs

Might have to pick your brains on that when the time comes.

 

[Hood]

Might have to pick your brains on that when the time comes.

Don't expect any help with Mach4, not used it since the early Beta days

 

[Brad93]

Don't expect any help with Mach4, not used it since the early Beta days

No the networking with Ethernet lol

 

[Hood]

No the networking with Ethernet lol

Ah well, that should be relatively easy but again probably the wrong person to ask if you are having issues

Connecting in a network switch with the PC and the laptop connected should be relatively easy to do, I managed so...

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Good evening, and I have complained about mine. Mine seems to be operating faultlessly in comparison. The only problems that I have had recently is driver fault, which only happens when it is humid, and I mean really humid. I have managed to locate it to one drive now and ordered the replacement parts. However when the humidity reduces the fault goes away, so everything is as was delivered. One day I will get to the bottom of this and get it resolved for good. Though in fairness my machine hasn't been trouble free. Some issues don't know from where some, self inflicted, but never just press the button and all is well.

 

[Brad93]

UPDATE:

Well swiftcut have been here for 5 hours today.

Air supply was checked - no issues, no moisture, filters fine, pressure maintained fine at 7bar.

New Hypertherm torch was tried - no change.

Tried slowing down the THC incase it was bouncing. - no change.

Tried turning off the THC - no change.

Tried levelling the machine - it was level in the x axis but 0.2° low at the front. Dropped the back down. No change.

Loosened belt tension - no change.

Tried new consumables on both torches. - No change.

Slowed machine down to 50% and increased speed back up to find if the serrated cut edge in the Y axis went away. It’s least prominent at 70% but this hasn’t actually fixed the issue.

THEY DID FIX THE MACHINE OUTLINE AND CUT LINES BEING SO DULL IN MACH 4.

They have access to a hidden setup menu.

Im going to buy a desktop PC to run the machine from to see if my macro errors resolve and I’m going to run Ethernet down to the workshop for internet connection.
Used about ⅓ plate of 10mm and 500mmx200mm of 12mm just cutting test pieces.

Tested on 6mm to see about my taper issue and with new consumables and adjustment to the breakaway head we are 2.5° of taper which I’m happy with.

So we’ve improved things but not fixed them.

the lad that came out was very thorough and can’t fault them for sending someone down.

As I’ve been told today the machine is a hobby machine, they’ve explained/shown to me that really we shouldn’t have bought that machine. The difference between the service side and the sales side I guess.

 

[badabec]

"As I’ve been told today the machine is a hobby machine, they’ve explained/shown to me that really we shouldn’t have bought that machine. The difference between the service side and the sales side I guess."

A bit late now, they should have told you that before you parted with the cash. And hobbyists are meant to accept poor service and results! Disingenuous.

 

[James1979]

"As I’ve been told today the machine is a hobby machine, they’ve explained/shown to me that really we shouldn’t have bought that machine. The difference between the service side and the sales side I guess."

A bit late now, they should have told you that before you parted with the cash. And hobbyists are meant to accept poor service and results! Disingenuous.

That’s a hell of a price tag for a hobby machine!

sounds like a cop out to me.

 

[badabec]

As well as more money, what are the differences between the hobby spec and proper spec?
Are the parts backwards compatible?

 

[Brad93]

That’s a hell of a price tag for a hobby machine!

sounds like a cop out to me.

Yep. I’m gonna give it a week and see if it’s better and if not, I think we may have to back the machine.

As well as more money, what are the differences between the hobby spec and proper spec?
Are the parts backwards compatible?

completely different. Stepper motors on a rack

 

[henry Kadzielski]

My machine has been operational again for some time, took some time to resolve what was happening. We just don't know what we don't know and then to locate where the problem is, one must firstly locate what the problem is. I swapped out cables and servo motor encoder pigtail on the 'Z' axis only to SMASH the penumatic scribe into the table, break the stylus, bend it's mounting bracket and generally give me a massive headache. After about 6 days of looking and investigation found out that I should have never conducted any tests to motors connected on the table as there can be 'runaways'. The servo motors can runway uncontrollably without any computer input. Lesson learnt very expensively. Also found that the USA supplier is now not offering a servo version of their controllers for this very reason and the tuning issues for the Gecko drives and dc servo motors. The problem was, I know a driver issue, but swapping out encoder cables that were new seemed to be a sensible and logical course of action. However the brand new encoder pigtail that was swapped out was faulty which caused all the damage to the machine. This did my head in as the original problem was getting worse and not better, so hence the 6 day to sort it. I had to walk away several times as I was going to smash stuff, it was doing my head in so bad.

My greatest fear was and still is 'WHAT IS THE NEXT PROBLEM AND WILL I BE ABLE TO LOCATE IT AND GET IT FIXED'. This also being in a timely manner. These machines when they work are lovely and extremely handy, but when they break down god help us. I feel much better after this rant, please you all have great day now

 

[badabec]

Did you pay any part of the Swiftcut purchase using a credit card? Even if it was only one penny on a credit card, you can still claim under Section 75 of the consumer goods act. You also have 6 years from date of transaction to make a claim.

 

[Hitch]

Hobby is probably not quite the right term... perhaps Entry level would be a better description.

 

[a111r]

The technicians at the 'sharp end' of the firm may have deemed it a 'hobby level' machine.
Dimensionally and by price point, such kit shouldn't exist, surely?
Hope they manage some restitution.

 

[Brad93]

Hobby is probably not quite the right term... perhaps Entry level would be a better description.

Hobby was their own words mate

 

[xtreme engineering]

hi Brad,i been keeping a eye on this post,this is why we supply the pc so there is a constant and table manufacturesr cant give the excuse its the computer,dont get me wrong pc's can go wrong and break but as we keep to the same manufacturer and build its a quick swapout and your running again,i feel like just sending you one of our machines to try out and seeing how you get on with it

 

[henry Kadzielski]

,i feel like just sending you one of our machines to try out and seeing how you get on with it

Fancy that, no one has offered me that. Next time mine chucks a wabbly would you do that for me? Only problem is that mine is quite large now

 

[Brad93]

Fancy that, no one has offered me that. Next time mine chucks a wabbly would you do that for me? Only problem is that mine is quite large now

Getting it to Oz might be an issue lol

 

[T M designs]

I took delivery of my Swifty table back in October, I did order a different make but that’s another story, I had some Issues to start with x Randomly stopping ( Juddering )
And it was down to my laptop Believe it or not, wiped it clean reinstall the software and fixed that problem, may use a tower pc later down the line. Also had some bevel I was chasing, my screw compressor wasn’t kicking in soon enough so pressure was dropping momentarily, also the airline fittings were to small and restricting the flow I think. It was making my tips go oval hence Random Bevel. Touch wood it’s ok at the moment. The guys at swift cut have been spot on with support for me so far.
I bought it as an entry-level machine to get in to doing sign work, art stuff etc so wasn’t expecting it to do what a £20000 + machine will do.
the problem you had with your stop for the head has been updated as mine is different to yours,

 

[Hood]

@Brad93 I would personally snap @xtreme engineering hand off if I were in your situation. Problem for you however may be you are used to the way the Swifty is set up. If I understand correctly it automatically calculates feeds, voltage, currents etc and has inbuild software to read direct from dxf's. As far as I am aware the Xtreme doesn't and the user needs to set them. Personally I think the Xtreme way is better as there are so many variables in CNC plasma that small tweaks can make all the difference and it is the way I work with mine. I could easily write a post processor to send info to my THC to set voltages etc but much prefer to choose manually and tweak if required.

Maybe I am wrong on all counts though so...