We recently release a new firmware revision, January 18-2018 (to rev. G). This firmware revision eliminates a potential CAN communication issue which could have significantly impacted cut quality. The new firmware revision includes several other improvements, as well.
In the field we experienced few instances of a severe deterioration in cut quality in 170 amp and 130 amp mild steel processes only on certain thicknesses. We determined that it was caused by an “overload” condition in CAN communication messages under very specific conditions. This problem caused the sv11 to stay closed which enabled excessive shield flow and very poor cut quality.
There are several other improvements embedded in the new firmware, but especially because of the potential issue with the sv11 valve, we recommend that you upgrade the firmware being used by your XPR300 users to the rev. G level. Below is the full list of changes/improvements associated with the rev. G firmware:
1. Changed how DC current sharing CAN messages were consolidated to a single message to instruct the choppers to ramp. This relates to the problem with sv11 not turning on during high bandwidth CAN situations. This can cause excessive shield flow in 170 amp and 130 amp mild steel process on certain thicknesses, resulting in poor cut quality. We haven’t seen many instances of this but the potential is there.
2. Improve CAN message handling for process parameters during ramp up and ramp down to improve microcontroller timing performance.
3. Added serial/EtherCAT command (#883) to have one command set all overrides.
4. Added serial/EtherCAT command (#885) to read the cut chart database revision. Added cut chart database revision to the web page (Wi-Fi tool) as well.
5. Discrete Ready For Start signal was not turning off when a new process was selected.
6. Changed chopper current sharing threshold to support future 50 amp process.
7. Added pierce flow into the gas purge, so pierce gases can be verified before starting the arc.
8. Temperature data over EtherCAT for the transformer and inductors was not scaled properly.
9. Excessive bursts of data to the RS422 interface was locking up the RS422 port. Changed data handling to prevent RS422 port from locking up.
10. Updated state names on the web page to match manual documentation.
Rev. G XPR firmware for the power supply control board, the choppers, the consoles and the web page (Wi-Fi tool) can be downloaded from the Hypertherm Xnet immediately. Files are in the Software folder, Firmware sub-folder. The Field Service Bulletin provides installation instructions.