MCX Comm/Cimco Comm Issue

[GES]

Hello, first time here.

 

I recently upgraded to Windows 7 and have installed Mastercam 6 x64.

The install is fine, and migration of existing operations and posts are as need be.

 

Previously I was using a third party CNC communication software (NcWare CncCom) to

Interface with our machine, Komo vr512 with G.E. Fanuc Series O-M.

The NcWare program does not support 64 bit operating systems so I am trying to use

Mastercam’s communication interface.

 

I am successfully able to transfer files to the Fanuc however, by default, Mastercam does not transfer

the file number assigned in post, or the Fanuc does not recognize how Mastercam is transmitting the file number.

 

On the “send” screen within Mastercam Editor, the file number displays correctly, eg. 4201.kmo, but after

transfer, Fanuc displays file as O0001. Subsequent files transferred from Mastercam all default to O0001,

resulting in an error on Fanuc.

 

Same goes in Cimco.

 

First line of code is Oxxx, and transfers fine with old computer and CncComm.

 

I am wondering if there is a parameter within the default machine for Fanuc Om.xml that can be changed

to recognize or name the file as posted.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

Philip

[GES]

In case anyone else encounters this problem, here is a simple work around.

 

It seems that both MXC comm and Cimco were ignoring the very first line of the code

and after much experimentation, simply adding a blank line ahead of the post made

the controller recognize the program number properly.

 

I don't know if this is a bug or something specific to my set up, but... that's where I ended up.

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

There is a field to allow you to specify a start trigger in mcxcomm and I believe cimco too, perhaps adding something to that field may also work? Anyway thanks for the update and I am glad you are up and running.

[GES]

Mick, thanks for the response.

I did try many different variations in the start trigger fields... no luck.

 

It's not that much of a bother to add the blank line, I already have it open to check it anyway.

 

Thanks

[John_Carpenter]

Hi GES,

 

I do not believe MasterCAM MXCOMM or Cimco was ignoring the first line when sending but the Fanuc controller is. I think what you may find in CncComm is that it is sending an EOB (End of Block) at SOT (Start of Text) or BOF (Beginning of File).

 

You see the Fanuc will not read anything until it 'sees' the first valid End of Block. Years ago they would use paper tape to load the machines and would type out in man readable hole punches the name of the tape in the leader. This was fine as the control would blink LSK (Lable Skip) until the first valid EOB was read and then either the buffer light would illuminate letting the operator know the data was loading into the control or INPUT would appear on the screen until the EOF (End of File) was satisfied - usually setable in the control to % or use M02, 99, M30 as EOF. For the Fanuc control the % (STOP CODE) in the beginning was never really required but became habit for programmers to mark the beginning (and of course the end) of ISO code with.

 

Regards,

 

John