torch height control - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

timberfab · 01-19-2010, 07:35 PM

i have had to modify the height control on my torchmate machine. i changed the acme screw on the height control. the reason being, the brass nut that travels up and down the acme screw stripped. a replacement was right around $100.00. not willing to pay that, i searched for a replacement, only to find it is a custom or nearly custom part. i changed the nut and the acme thread rod.

now the travel on the torch height control is off a bit. so i need to recalibrate it. when the torch touches the metal and backs off before a cut, it doesn't come off far enough and actually dives into the material as it begins the cut.

so how do i adjust this? it is the old style red display torch height control.

thanks

HardcorewannabeXJ · 01-19-2010, 08:43 PM

The problem with changing the thread and nut is the motor believes it's traveling a certain distance, when it is actually traveling either further or less then it thinks. The change adjusted the gear ratio which would need to be calibrated to accept a new ratio and make appropriate movements. You can change the pierce height with the potentiometer on the front of the unit, however during automatic operation I wouldn't expect smooth adjustments, as what the motor thinks is a minute movement is probably much larger. If you can find out the gear ratio you are using, I can tell you if we can change the motor to accept it.

-Mike

01-19-2010, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
timberfab Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Member # 101828 Location: central pa Posts: 166	torch height control i have had to modify the height control on my torchmate machine. i changed the acme screw on the height control. the reason being, the brass nut that travels up and down the acme screw stripped. a replacement was right around $100.00. not willing to pay that, i searched for a replacement, only to find it is a custom or nearly custom part. i changed the nut and the acme thread rod. now the travel on the torch height control is off a bit. so i need to recalibrate it. when the torch touches the metal and backs off before a cut, it doesn't come off far enough and actually dives into the material as it begins the cut. so how do i adjust this? it is the old style red display torch height control. thanks __________________ it's just a hobby, remember

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01-19-2010, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
HardcorewannabeXJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 84593 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,000	The problem with changing the thread and nut is the motor believes it's traveling a certain distance, when it is actually traveling either further or less then it thinks. The change adjusted the gear ratio which would need to be calibrated to accept a new ratio and make appropriate movements. You can change the pierce height with the potentiometer on the front of the unit, however during automatic operation I wouldn't expect smooth adjustments, as what the motor thinks is a minute movement is probably much larger. If you can find out the gear ratio you are using, I can tell you if we can change the motor to accept it. -Mike