{"id":2181,"date":"2021-01-27T22:10:33","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T15:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/robot3t.com\/?post_type=product&#038;p=2181\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T14:05:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:05:32","slug":"thc3t-02-stepdir-output","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/products\/thc3t-02-stepdir-output\/","title":{"rendered":"Torch Height Controller With Step\/Dir Output"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"r3-keyspecs\">\n<div><strong>Arc voltage<\/strong><span>Height sensing<\/span><\/div>\n<div><strong>Step\/Dir<\/strong><span>Z-axis output<\/span><\/div>\n<div><strong>Auto<\/strong><span>ARC OK &amp; calibration<\/span><\/div>\n<div><strong>1:50<\/strong><span>Built-in divider<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>THC3T-02 is a compact torch height controller for CNC plasma cutting, with a built-in 1:50 voltage divider so it works with plasma cutters that have no divided arc voltage output. It reads the arc voltage while the torch is cutting and automatically raises or lowers the torch to keep a constant distance to the plate, so cut quality stays consistent even when the sheet is warped or the cutting bed is not perfectly flat. Signal-processing algorithms stabilize the voltage reading, and a smooth-motion algorithm prevents jerky Z movement. Unlike controllers that only send up\/down signals to the CNC, THC3T-02 drives the Z-axis motor driver directly with Step\/Dir signals for faster response and higher accuracy. It detects ARC OK automatically, self-calibrates to the arc voltage of your plasma cutter, and integrates with Mach3 software. Designed and built by Robot3T in Vietnam.<\/p>\n<a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"button primary\" style=\"border-radius:99px;\">\n\t\t<span>Request a quote<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/84974908615\" class=\"button primary is-outline\" style=\"border-radius:99px;\">\n\t\t<span>WhatsApp +84 974 908 615<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Typical applications<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CNC plasma cutting tables:<\/strong> gantry and table machines running Mach3.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Warped or uneven sheet:<\/strong> keeps torch height constant over bends and waves.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Machine builders:<\/strong> a compact, cost-effective THC for new plasma machines.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Retrofits:<\/strong> adding automatic height control to existing machines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Why THC3T-02<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Better cut quality<\/strong> \u2013 constant torch height means consistent kerf, bevel and less dross.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Longer consumable life<\/strong> \u2013 avoids torch dives and crashes caused by uneven plates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fast, precise Z control<\/strong> \u2013 direct Step\/Dir output to the Z driver, no extra loop through the CNC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No extra divider needed<\/strong> \u2013 integrated 1:50 divider takes the raw arc voltage directly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stable reading<\/strong> \u2013 signal processing filters arc voltage noise; smooth-motion algorithm for gentle Z moves.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Easy setup<\/strong> \u2013 automatic ARC OK detection and arc voltage calibration; adjust height on the fly with a potentiometer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Convenient<\/strong> \u2013 jog the Z axis from software in idle mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Specifications<\/h3>\n<div class=\"r3-spec\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Model<\/td>\n<td>THC3T-02 (Step\/Dir, integrated divider)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Plasma source<\/td>\n<td>Any plasma cutter; auto-calibrates arc voltage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Voltage divider<\/td>\n<td>Integrated 1:50, with noise filtering<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Height sensing<\/td>\n<td>Arc voltage, with signal-processing filter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Z-axis output<\/td>\n<td>Step\/Dir to Z motor driver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>ARC OK<\/td>\n<td>Automatic detection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Height adjustment<\/td>\n<td>Online, by potentiometer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Idle mode<\/td>\n<td>Z jog from software<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>CNC software<\/td>\n<td>Mach3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Origin<\/td>\n<td>Robot3T, Vietnam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Product, diagrams and setup<\/h3>\n<div class=\"row align-middle\"  id=\"row-1943696147\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1728697207\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner text-center\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1571332409\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-800x800.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-800x800.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/6b4aef88b1af54f10dbe.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1571332409 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1001370129\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>Block diagram<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_495294009\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/compact-step-dir.png\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"809\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/compact-step-dir.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/compact-step-dir.png 809w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/compact-step-dir-600x206.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 809px) 100vw, 809px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_495294009 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row align-middle\"  id=\"row-943539389\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-144431086\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>Connection diagram<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1744162251\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Compact-StepDir.png\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"939\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Compact-StepDir.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Compact-StepDir.png 939w, https:\/\/robot3t.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Compact-StepDir-600x322.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 939px) 100vw, 939px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1744162251 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-268644784\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>Mach3 configuration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mach3_1.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Mach3_1.png\" alt=\"Mach3 configuration for THC3T-02\" width=\"600\" height=\"354\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Up\/Down or Step\/Dir?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"r3-cmp\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Up\/Down<\/th>\n<th>Step\/Dir<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Output to machine<\/td>\n<td>UP, DOWN, ARC OK signals to the CNC<\/td>\n<td class=\"r3-cur\">Step\/Dir directly to the Z driver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Wiring<\/td>\n<td>Simplest \u2013 3 outputs<\/td>\n<td class=\"r3-cur\">Connects between CNC and Z driver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Z response<\/td>\n<td>Through the CNC controller<\/td>\n<td class=\"r3-cur\">Direct \u2013 faster and more precise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best for<\/td>\n<td>Easy retrofits, standard Mach3 THC setup<\/td>\n<td class=\"r3-cur\">Highest performance on new machines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"r3-cmp-note\">Both versions: arc voltage sensing, auto ARC OK, auto calibration, smooth motion, Mach3 integration.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Documentation<\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1S98jDHtl2RfBXYL6CoWtWCyCO8Sfosep\/view\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"button primary is-outline\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"border-radius:99px;\">\n\t\t<span>Download user manual (Step\/Dir)<\/span>\n\t<i class=\"icon-download\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">See it in action<\/h3>\n<div class=\"row align-middle r3-video-row\"  id=\"row-1136541305\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1725687653\" class=\"col medium-7 small-12 large-7\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Compact THC - www.robot3t.com\" width=\"1020\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0hTE8G0AACg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-179579662\" class=\"col medium-5 small-12 large-5\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"r3-video-cap\"><strong>Constant torch height, clean cuts<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arc voltage keeps the torch at the right height.<\/li>\n<li>Direct Step\/Dir control of the Z axis.<\/li>\n<li>Works with Mach3 out of the box.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"button primary is-outline\" style=\"border-radius:99px;\">\n\t\t<span>Ask an engineer<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1415338043\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1564055240\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stand Alone Plasma Torch Height Controller\" width=\"1020\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kn9b6RyQoEA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1274894601\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Compact THC3T-01\" width=\"1020\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i3_FV91WH3o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"r3-spec-title\">Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n<p><strong>How is this different from the Hypertherm version?<\/strong><br \/>This version has the 1:50 voltage divider and noise filter built in, so it reads the raw arc voltage directly from plasma cutters without a divided output. The Hypertherm version uses the divided signal provided by Hypertherm sources. Tell us your plasma model and we will recommend the right one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I use it with software other than Mach3?<\/strong><br \/>This Step\/Dir version is made for Mach3. For other CNC software or controllers, contact us and we will recommend a suitable THC version.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the advantage of Step\/Dir output?<\/strong><br \/>The THC drives the Z motor directly instead of asking the CNC to move it, so corrections are faster and more precise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you ship outside Vietnam?<\/strong><br \/>Yes. Contact sales@robot3t.com for a quote including shipping to your country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"r3-cta\">\n<h3>Want cleaner plasma cuts?<\/h3>\n<p>Tell us your plasma source, CNC software and machine. Our engineers will recommend the right height controller and accessories, and quote at no cost.<\/p>\n<a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"button primary\" style=\"border-radius:99px;\">\n\t\t<span>Request a quote<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Compact arc-voltage torch height controller for CNC plasma cutting with built-in 1:50 voltage divider and noise filter \u2013 works with plasma cutters without a divided output. Drives the Z-axis driver directly with Step\/Dir signals, auto ARC OK detection and calibration, smooth motion, online height adjustment and Mach3 integration. Made in Vietnam by Robot3T.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[114],"product_tag":[119],"class_list":["post-2181","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-mechanized-cutting","product_tag-bo-dieu-khien-do-cao-dau-cat-plasma-en","first","instock","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/2181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2181"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=2181"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=2181"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robot3t.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=2181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}