Communication methods for XPR cutting systems

There are multiple communication methods to fully operate the plasma cutting system.

Choose the communication method that is best for your cutting system:

EtherCAT®
- Use this method with an EtherCAT-compatible controller. Refer to Connect to the plasma power supply with.
- If you use EtherCAT, remote on-off must be wired discretely by the cutting system manufacturer.
Serial RS-422 and discrete
- Use this method with a serial RS-422 and discrete-compatible controller.
- If you use serial RS-422, you must also use discrete to fully operate the cutting system.
- Refer to Connect to the plasma power supply with serial RS-422.
- Refer to Connect to the plasma power supply with discrete.
Wireless (XPR® web interface through Wi-Fi®) and discrete
- Use this method with a wireless-enabled device and discrete-compatible controller.
- If you use wireless, you must also use discrete to fully operate the cutting system.
- Refer to Requirements for the web interface.
- Refer to Connect to the plasma power supply with discrete.

For information about signals and protocols, refer to the CNC Communication Protocol for the XPR Cutting System (809810).

Table 1. Communication requirements and options
Set process with... ¹	To fully operate the cutting system...	Monitor with...
Set process with... ¹	Discrete	EtherCAT	XPR web interface	RS-422
EtherCAT	Required for remote on-off ²	Preferred	Alternative	Alternative
XPR web interface	Required	Alternative	Preferred	Alternative
RS-422	Required	Alternative	Alternative	Preferred
¹ The device that first sets a process controls the plasma power supply. For information about how to change the device that has control of the plasma power supply, refer to Change the device that has control. ² Discrete inputs are ignored when a process ID is set over EtherCAT to a cutting system that uses the factory-default configuration. If you have questions, speak to your cutting machine supplier or regional Hypertherm® Technical Service team.

If you use EtherCAT to set the process, the preferred method to monitor is EtherCAT. However, you can use RS-422 or the XPR web interface through Wi-Fi to monitor.