XYZ Plasma + Torch height Controller
  • 3-Axis
  • Used in Cutting CNC machines

Introduction

One-line value prop: Three-axis plate cutting with arc-voltage Torch Height Control (THC) for consistent standoff on thin or uneven sheets—kerf-accurate paths, clean leads, and safe, guided operation.

Who uses it: Fabrication & job shops · HVAC/ducting · metal service centers · thin-sheet and long-cut production lines.
Works with: 3-axes Gantry tables with X-Y motion and Z lifter driven by stepper/servo.
Compatible controllers: PC-SMART 4A / PC-SMART 3AS / PC-PRO LAN 4A

Supported files: DXF and standard G-code (e.g., ArtCAM / PowerMill posts)

Important: This interface does include Torch Height Control (THC).
For live arc-voltage height control, use XYZ Cutter + THC.

Machine & Kinematics

    • XY gantry + Z lifter with homing and soft limits; presets for Pierce Height / Cut Height / Retract.

    • Designed for live arc-voltage Z regulation to hold target standoff on wavy or heat-warped material.

    • Supports magnetic breakaway, touch sensor, sheet alignment tools, and full E-stop chain.

Control & I/O

  • I/O for Torch On/Off, gas Pre/Post-flow, alarms/beacons, guards/doors, pressure/flow OK.

  • THC loop drives Z (pulse/dir) to the TorchValue target using THCGain and Tolerance (deadband), with THCThreshold, StartAfter, and EndBefore to prevent dive.

  • Manual Z trim hotkeys, Speed % override, Pause/Resume, and safe recovery.

  • Inputs mapped for HomePin X/Y/Z, P-TorchSensorPin (ohmic/mech touch), P-AntiCollisionSensorPin, and Emergency.

Z-Axis Options

1) XY Cutter — Z via DC Motor (Up/Down outputs)

Use when: You have a simple lift driven by a DC motor (no step/dir).
How it works: Digital outputs jog the lift: C-Zfree = +1 → Z Up, C-Zfree = −1 → Z Down (timed macros to reach pierce/cut heights).
Ideal for: Basic plasma/oxy tables with fixed standoff or occasional manual nudging.
Notes: No pulse/dir, no encoder/THC—operator or sequence toggles outputs.


2) XYZ Cutter — Z via Stepper/Servo (Manual mode)

Use when: You want precise Z positioning but prefer to trim height manually during the cut.
How it works: Pulse/Direction control on Z; operator adjusts Z from the screen/pendant while the toolpath runs (store pierce/cut height macros, home & soft limits).
Ideal for: Shops needing accuracy without arc-voltage automation.


3) XYZ Cutter + THC — Z via Stepper/Servo (Automatic mode)

Use when: You need automatic standoff on thin or uneven sheets.
How it works: The THC module reads arc voltage and closes the loop on Z to hold the target height (set target V, gain/deadband, anti-dive, sample/hold on corners).
Ideal for: High-precision plasma cutting, long cuts, warped material.

Software & Workflow

  • DXF/G-code import with grid preview and automatic kerf/offset.

  • Lead-in/lead-out (arc/radial/tangent), Pierce dwell, auto retract, micro-tabs, and corner slow-down.

  • Ordering rules (inner→outer), clamp keep-outs, and dry-run (torch off).

  • Per-job Plasma settings: CutVelocity, CutTime/PreCutTime (with TimeUnit = ms), optional SheetAlignBaseAxis.

  • Pipe work supported via PipeCut mode (uses Diameter).

Key Capabilities (at a glance)

  • Closed-loop THC with Target V, Gain/Deadband, Anti-dive & Corner Hold

  • Kerf-accurate DXF/G-code, clean leads, micro-tabs, inner→outer sequencing

  • Manual Z trim while cutting, Speed % override, safe Pause/Resume

  • Touch-off with offset, auto retract to SafeZ, collision sensing

  • Job logging: time, cut length, pierces, pauses/alarms, notes

XYZ Stone compatible CNC controller board used for multi-axis stone cutting and routing machines

Typical Specifications

Area Spec
Axes X, Y, Z (stepper/servo) with THC
Files DXF, standard G-code
THC TorchValue, THCGain, Tolerance, THCThreshold, StartAfter, EndBefore, AlwaysTouch, TouchSensorOffset
Heights Pierce / Cut / Retract: SafeZ & SafeZVelocity
Timing CutTime, PreCutTime (TimeUnit = ms)
I/O Torch/gases, arc-OK, touch sensor, anti-collision, guards/E-stop
Reports Time, cut length, pierces, pauses/alarms, notes

Standard Workflow

  1. Home X/Y/Z, set X0/Y0; verify SafeZ and touch sensor.

  2. Open DXF/G-code; confirm kerf, leads, pierce/cut heights.

  3. Set THC: Enabled, TorchValue (or AutoTorchValue), THCGain, Tolerance, THCThreshold, StartAfter, EndBefore; set CutVelocity and pierce timing.

  4. Dry-run (torch off), check clamps and inner→outer order.

  5. Run—THC regulates standoff; trim Z manually if needed; Pause/Resume safely.

  6. Review and save the run report.

Key Features of Radonix CNC Software

🔹 Direct DXF Execution

Seamlessly load and execute DXF files without the need for G-code conversion — streamlining your workflow and reducing setup time.

🔹 Smart Component & Path Management

Select specific parts from complex drawings and customize cutting order with intuitive control over toolpath sequencing.

🔹 Interactive On-Screen Editing

Scale, rotate, and mirror parts directly within the interface — with live toolpath previews to ensure precision.

🔹 Flexible Part Placement

Manually drag and drop parts onto your material sheet to accommodate irregular shapes, pre-cut stock, or remnant reuse.

🔹 Advanced Pause Controls

Set up to three independent pause points — before the cut, during the cut, and after the cut — for manual checks or operational adjustments.

🔹 Reverse Cutting Mode

Execute toolpaths in reverse to minimize material warping or adjust final exit points based on design needs.

🔹 Simulation / Demo Run Mode

Perform a complete motion test without activating the torch. Ideal for verifying the toolpath before live cutting.

🔹 Cylindrical Cutting Capability

Project flat designs onto cylindrical surfaces for precision tube and pipe cutting operations.

🔹 Live Arc-Voltage Monitoring

Real-time arc-voltage feedback ensures dynamic Z-axis height control — maintaining optimal torch-to-material distance during operation.

Videos & Demos

Real-world clips of Radonix interfaces on production machines—setup, operation, quality tips, and quick troubleshooting.

Related products

These are the Radonix CNC controllers  designed to work best with this interface. Choose the recommended controller.

Radonix hardware for XYZ  Plasma + THC :