Torchmate's ATHC blue screen

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I have Torchmate's newest ATHC unit. When I start the cutting process the torch does its thing and starts the cut, as it's cutting the voltage display goes up and down about 4 volts each way, cyclic motion, and of course the torch is going up and down the whole time it is cutting. I have a refrigerated dryer, motor guard filter at the plasma and a 10 foot ground rod tied to the machine table. Sometimes (very seldom) the torch will really start to oscillate badly up and down and then fowl the tip. I'm at my wits end with this problem. Has anyone had this problem occur on their machine that you have solved? Thanks in advance. Mike
Reply:I have the same problem with the Torchmate 4x4 at work. I usually leave it in manual height mode but we cut some stainless sheet that has a bow in it and I'm forced to use auto height control. The torch will touch off, pierce and move up and down while cutting. It usually brings the torch so low that it activates the breakaway due to hitting the bow in the plate.Still don't know whyTOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE
Reply:I can't justify the price of the height control. So I won't have that problem lolTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by Chris T.I have the same problem with the Torchmate 4x4 at work. I usually leave it in manual height mode but we cut some stainless sheet that has a bow in it and I'm forced to use auto height control. The torch will touch off, pierce and move up and down while cutting. It usually brings the torch so low that it activates the breakaway due to hitting the bow in the plate.Still don't know why
Reply:Originally Posted by masA fellow answered my post over at CNCZone and he sez it could be a ground problem or most likely an internal setting in the control unit.  Have you contacted Torchmate?
Reply:Torchmate has excellent product support. They have helped me a few times over the phone with issues with my CNC.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:The unit may be high frequency or it could be that something isn't just right with the unit causing emf interference.  If it is HF, you will have to shield the unit with a farraday cage likely and shield the cables.  It might be a good idea to try to reposition the cutting unit even if it isn't HF or try to shield it anyway.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I don't use my machine on a daily basis but I will try to reposition my Hypertherm unit and see if that makes a difference.This unit used to cut with the voltage right where I had it set.Over the course of several months I must have moved or changed something that tranformed my plasma cutter into a sewing machine.Thank you all for your comments and advise.