MachPro Plasma Setup Manual
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MachPro 26 CNC Software Roadmap
Configure Motion Controller
Please refer to your motion controller's documentation to:
- Establish the network connection to the MachPro computer
- Connect and configure drives
- Connect and configure I/O
- Calibrate the axes
- Establish machine zero
- Configure soft limits
MachPro needs to be integrated with your motion controller. If you have an M31 use the M31 Motion Control Setup Manual If you have a compatible motion controller, then use MachPro Compatible Motion Controller Configuration Settings
Languages
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Default I/O Mappings
For both input and output signals: refer to the Mapping Signals section of the MachPro motion control configuration documentation for your motion controller. See the links in the table above. Manually trigger all inputs to verify they show correctly in the software, and manually trigger all outputs from the software to make sure that the device will operate properly.
A spreadsheet is attached (upper left corner of this window) with the default I/O signal mappings. You may print it for your use during the I/O configuration.
- Wiring reference and change notes
- Update descriptions in Input and Output signals configuration to match the way you have used the system previously
- Reference for future maintenance and updates to your system
Inputs
| SignalID | SignalName | Enabled | Device/Name | Active Low | State | Description |
| 1 | Input #0 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.00 | 0 | GENERAL INPUT 0 (1DI.01.00) | |
| 2 | Input #1 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.01 | 0 | GENERAL INPUT 1 (1DI.01.01) | |
| 3 | Input #2 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.02 | 0 | GENERAL INPUT 2 (1DI.01.02) | |
| 4 | Input #3 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.03 | 0 | GENERAL INPUT 3 (1DI.01.03) | |
| 5 | Input #4 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.04 | 0 | ARC OK (1DI.01.04) | |
| 6 | Input #5 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.05 | 0 | BREAKAWAY ERROR (1DI.01.05) | |
| 7 | Input #6 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.06 | 0 | PLASMA ERROR (1DI.01.06) | |
| 8 | Input #7 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.07 | 0 | AIR PRESSURE (1DI.01.07) | |
| 65 | Motor 0 Home | 1 | M31/1DI.01.09 | 0 | X1 HOME (1DI.01.09) | |
| 66 | Motor 1 Home | 1 | M31/1DI.01.11 | 0 | Y HOME (1DI.01.11) | |
| 67 | Motor 2 Home | 1 | M31/1DI.01.12 | 0 | Z HOME (1DI.01.12) | |
| 68 | Motor 3 Home | 1 | M31/1DI.01.13 | 0 | X2 HOME (1DI.01.13) | |
| 97 | Motor 0 ++ | 1 | M31/1DI.01.08 | 0 | X LIMIT ++ (1DI.01.08) | |
| 98 | Motor 1 ++ | 1 | M31/1DI.01.10 | 0 | Y LIMIT ++ (1DI.01.10) | |
| 99 | Motor 2 ++ | 1 | M31/1DI.01.12 | 0 | Z LIMIT ++ (1DI.01.12) | |
| 129 | Motor 0 -- | 1 | M31/1DI.01.09 | 0 | X LIMIT -- (1DI.01.09) | |
| 130 | Motor 1 -- | 1 | M31/1DI.01.11 | 0 | Y LIMIT -- (1DI.01.11) | |
| 161 | Probe | 1 | M31/1DI.01.14 | 0 | PROBE (1DI.01.14) | |
| 164 | E-Stop | 1 | M31/1DI.ESTP | 0 | ESTOP (1DI.ESTP) | |
| 183 | Probe1 | 1 | M31/1DI.01.15 | 0 | PROBE 2 (1DI.01.15) | |
| 251 | Input #100 | 1 | M31/1DI.ALRM | 0 | DRIVE FAULT (1DI.ALRM) |
Outputs
| SignalID | SignalName | Enabled | Device/Name | Active Low | State | Description |
| 1050 | Output #0 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.00 | 0 | GENERAL OUTPUT 0 (1DO.01.00) | |
| 1051 | Output #1 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.01 | 0 | GENERAL OUTPUT 1 (1DO.01.01) | |
| 1052 | Output #2 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.02 | 0 | GENERAL OUTPUT 2 (1DO.01.02) | |
| 1053 | Output #3 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.03 | 0 | GENERAL OUTPUT 3 (1DO.01.03) | |
| 1054 | Output #4 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.04 | 0 | VENT (1DO.01.04) | |
| 1055 | Output #5 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.05 | 0 | LASER (1DO.01.07) | |
| 1056 | Output #6 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.06 | 0 | SCRIBE TOOL (1DO.01.06) | |
| 1057 | Output #40 | 1 | M31/1DO.01.07 | 0 | TORCH (1DO.01.05) | |
| 1142 | Spindle Fwd | 1 | M31/1DO.FE | 0 | (DRILLFORWARD) 1DO.FE | |
| 1143 | Spindle Rev | 1 | M31/1DO.RE | 0 | (DRILL REVERSE) 1DO.RE |
LanguagesVoltage: divider, multiplier, live
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Voltage management is a major factor in your plasma operation.
The Raw Tip Voltage is far too high to be read directly by your CNC control.
The Voltage Divider takes the Raw Tip Voltage and reduces it by a set ratio using a resistor network. It provides a fraction of the original voltage to the CNC control, and that is usable by the control. Sometimes that resistor network isn't totally accurate, and it reports a voltage value to the CNC control that isn't exactly the rated ratio.
The CNC control uses the provided voltage to manage the cuts. It uses the Multiplier to calculate the raw tip voltage based on the voltage provided by the Voltage Divider. This is where the Multiplier can be used to correct any problems with the voltage from the divider.
If your voltage system is providing good production quality without any fudge factors, then you may skip the following section. If you find that the reported voltage on the screen is not quite right, then this will help.
- Measure the actual tip voltage with a multimeter while noting the live voltage reported by the CNC control.
- If the reported voltage is less than the actual tip voltage, then the multiplier will need to be slightly higher than 1 to correct it.
- Measured raw tip voltage is 75, but the control reports 74. Actual volts / reported volts = voltage multiplier
- 75/74 = 1.0135 to be your voltage multiplier
- If the reported voltage is more than the actual tip voltage, then the multiplier will need to be slightly less than 1 to correct it.
- If the Measured raw tip voltage is 75, but the control reports 76. Actual volts / reported volts = voltage multiplier
- 75/76 = 0.9868 is your voltage multiplier
Plasma cut sequence parameters
Initial Height Sensing (IHS)
The torch will touch-off the work piece to determine the height for all the following steps.
IHS can be toggled on or off using the button on the lower right of the Torch Height Control section.
IHS Probe Offset is the distance between the physical touch-off and when the sensor triggers. Use this to tune the IHS touch-off to accurately report the material work height. Manually jog the torch down to the work piece and note the Z coordinate. Then repeat using IHS touch-off. Enter any difference between your measured Z height and the IHS reported Z height as your IHS Probe Offset.
IHS Skip Distance is used on closely spaced cuts where the initial height of the next cut is already known and a new probe is not needed. This saves cycle time on multiple cuts. Set this distance according to the job needs.
Once the IHS sequence has probed the material, it reports the initial height to the CNC control for the next steps.
Ignition Height is the distance above the work piece to strike the arc. This is set in the Tech Tables.
Arc OK signals the CNC control that the arc has been established and the pierce process can begin.
The Pierce Height is set by the Tech Table to be correct for the material.
Pierce Delay is set by the Tech Table to be correct for the material.
Probing Configuration
For MachPro prior to version 2026.5.13.1 MachPro Probing Wizard
For MachPro versions 2026.5.13.1 and after MachPro Blum Probing Routines
Modifying GoTo Positions
Configure MachPro Plasma
These are the minimum software settings to integrate your power unit with MachPro.
- Pull down Configure -> Control and select the Settings tab
- In the upper right corner of the window, enter plasma as the filter term
ArcPro height controller
Verify these settings
Soft Height Control
Roller Head
If you are using a roller head, change the Plasma Style to Roller Head and update these settings to match your system
Initial Height Sensing (IHS)
This is usually implemented with an ohmic contact, torque/motor-stall sensing, or a floating head switch. These are the options for configuring IHS.
Laser settings
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