DNC to SWI MX3e

[Jim Dean]

Has anyone had any experience loading DNC code to an MX3e from MasterCAM. We have been running DNC from the floppy drive in the mill for some time now, but files have reached a size that we need to send diectly from the PC. So far we have had limited success. Any help would be appreciated.

Jim Dean

[KMaynard]

Hi Dean,

We did it a little when we had our MX3 .. what kind of help were you looking for

Kev

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Are you actually loking into doing DNC, or are you just needing to upload your files to the control? There is a difference. DNC - Direct Numerical Control, this usually refers to the control running a program as is it being uploaded to the machine's buffer, once executed, it is purged from memory. Is this what you desire to do?

[Jim Dean]

James,

Yes, that's exactly what we want to do. The surface files we are using are too big

to use any other way. So my question really is, what software should I be using to

dowwnload this DNC code? I've tried the files communication option in MasterCAM 7.2, but it does not appear to be working.

[Ying Jiang]

SWI web site mentioned that DNC is an option, do you have it on you machine?

With MC7.2, you can also try the CNC Edit from CIMCO Integration (It comes with MC v7).

DNC-Max is a very good DNC software, you can download a demo version from http://www.dncmax.com/

(You can also download CIMCO Edit from there for a mini dnc, the OEM version of CIMCO Edit comes in MC v8).

[Christian Raebild]

You have no reason to download the demo version of CIMCO Edit, the demo version has the same functionality as the Mastercam OEM version, and the Mastercam OEM license allows you to install it on a second PC.

You should update CIMCO Edit to the newest version, though. Go to www.cimco-software.com

I do not immediately recoignize the name of your control, if it does not use the ISO/EN RS-232 standard protocol, then the Mastercam OEM and demo versions may not work for you. You should then contact your local Mastercam reseller.

[Hugh.Venables]

Jim, speaking as someone who has neither enough CNC or MC experience, I am very impressed (relieved?) with how well Cimco Edit 4.20 in V8.1.1 sends to our 15 yr. old Mazak M2. At the PC end sending is the same whether downloading the whole program or using DNC for a program that's too big for the machine memory. We just have to select either download or DNC at the machine and the machine and the PC just sort it out. BTW, our Mazak trainer/adviser/servicer/problem solver/great guy calls DNC "drip feeding"!

Hugh.

[Glenn Bouman]

I hooked one up last week with no problem using CimcoEdit, just read the manual that comes with the machine.

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/TAGE3Control.htm

http://www.southwesternindustries.com/dpm5-1.jpg

[Karl Oram]

I Installed one recently and because running cable was not an option I hooked up an Iomega Zip drive to to the parallel port in the back. You need to have the drivers from the the MX3 supplers and then the DNC runs right from the Zip Drive.

Just another Option

Caledonian_Karl

[KMaynard]

I actually do the zip drive in our Fadal and I gotta tell it works great .. didn't know you could do that in the prototrak ..

[Keith Graydon]

ProtoTrac MX3's will Run DNC. THe Kit from SWI costs about $1000. US. It is a hardware lock (hasp) and software driver for the controller.

The CimcoEdit software that comes bundled with Mastercam interfaces very well with the Prototrac Controller. Whether you run it DNC (drip feed) or just as a loader to the Controller memory. My colleague in the other part of our building runs this set-up. He just got back from Oktoberfest in Germany so I'm not sure that he's ready to talk yet.....but I'll ask his opinion.

my.02

hth

-Keith

[Jim Dean]

I just ordered the drivers from SWI that I need to drive the MX3 with an I-Omega zip drive. That should do what I need to do, The only problem I had with a floppy disc was the size. Thanks to all, you may hear back if this doesn't work.

Jim Dean