A good way to connect machines to MC

[TODD_P]

I have four machines and three seats of mastercam in a model shop and want to be able to send programs to any of the machines from any one of the seats of MC and dont want to spend a ton of money to do any good suggestion?

[Storkman]

cheap pcs next to each machine networked to the programming dept. I did it here for 36 machines and it was relativly inexpensive.

[Matthew]

I have P166 laptop beside each machine. When I did it they were about $300-$400 each (CDN). I'm sure they're cheaper now.

[kkominiarek]

search the internet....you'll find free DNC software out there.....no frills....you'll need a cable from each machine to a switch and some other hardware.....some assy needed

[SpazMachine]

http://www2.shopping.com/xPF-Lantronix_UDS200_01

 

If you don't mind some interesting setup issues, I have just started trying these things out. They all seem to work pretty well except on one old Fanuc controller. I think with some finessing of settings I will make it work. They are definately not a turnkey solution like a DNC package.

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

I wouldnt bother with free dnc software. Mastercam comes with Cimco edit lite. You are free to install this program anywhere in your shop. It's in my oppinion the best dnc/editor out there.

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

BTW, its in your MCAM9/comon/editors/cedit folder.

 

Also, a cheap laptop right next to your machine is a great idea. If you have a network, all you have to do is pull it from the machine you posted to. Plus you have the added benifit of a DNC machine if you ever need to run a large program.

[Tom Dorgan from American Precision]

Cimco is great and in V8 would work with out your Mcam Sim but from V9 on it will not work with out the SIM. At least it will not work on my systems with the key removed. Cimco is relatively inexpensive for the quality of tool it provides though. The full version has a G code backplot tool.

[rsbeadle]

What type of machines??? I have my Bridgeport's and my newer mazak fusion controls connected directly to our network and use mapped network drives to post straight to the machines. I have a laptop next to my old mazaks with M-32's and drip feed via rs232 in tape mode to run large programs.

[Carl Vallance]

I use an nport server. Have 9 machine tied to it and we can send from any of 14 computers in the plant. Works great. About $1000 but well worth it.

http://www.neteon.net/cat.asp?c=3

[Ying Jiang]

DNC-Max from CIMCO is a good way to go:

 

1. You can setup a DNC Server network with all MC PCs, then setup hardware connections from DNC Server to all 4 of your machines. You can then upload/download files remotely right at the CNCs.

 

2. One of our customer likes to send files from the MC PCs manually, we setup a DNC Server with 6 DNC-Max Remote Clients so any of their 6 programmers can send files to any of their 24+ machines.

[Rekd™]

I made meh own program for file transfers. I think it's on the FTP site, look for SComm. It supports up to 12 com ports.

 

 

 

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

Cimco edit will run without the hasp. If it does not here is the link to request a new version.

 

http://www.cimco.dk/download_registration....t_Mastercam_OEM

[P_Scott]

Avon,

 

Cimco Edit OEM is only licensed to Mastercam users and therefore will NOT run without the Mastercam HASP attached to the same pc.

 

TODD_P,

 

Cimco Edit OEM that installs with Mcam V9 is a great tool to use for DNC communications to the machine. It will allow you to communicate to one machine at a time, with settings saved for up to two machines for each seat of Mastercam. However the Professional product line from Cimco is much more powerful, efficient and flexible. Take a look here Cimco's website . Their products are truly "bullet proof". HTH

[Ed.G]

You can try some of the Cimco products free of charge for about 30 days. I have been using the Cimco editor 4.40.7 and love it.

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

Pete, thanks for clearing things up!

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

[ 04-04-2005, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Avon ]