Bridgeport R2E3 Boss 8 - DNC help needed

[John Bennett]

Have a R2E3 with Boss 8 controls and want to drip feed large programs

Up to this point I have used Port B , 4800 baud rate, even 7 1 settings in "cadem ncnet lite" to send programs to machine with no problems.....clear programs-all...shows 0 characters....Load from REM- input "-" and execute....program loads...press load...error...rehome axis and away it goes, but this only allows up to 12000 character programs that are stored in memory (no drip feed)

With help from Machintech and Jim Bass, I have loaded ezlink onto a DOS only laptop, go to F2 and set baud at 4800, F4 and set directory to A:\ and file name to 15500 ....then I have tried..F1 enter and finally select load type , I pick DNC-LINK..enter..computer screen shows ready,idle,file name A:\15500.txt, and last line mode=DNC-LINK..Press F3 (Run) this brings up screen on laptop that shows READY....then over to mill..memory is clear...press for DNC....LCD shows DNC:..from here I have tried 15500 execute////execute///" -15500 execute" and "-" execute ( the negative sign used as in REM load) with no results other then LCD after pressing execute shows ".D"

Sorry for the long winded post but I have followed other posts as to running, instructions with ldezlink from machinetech and Mr Bass's detailed instructions (to the best of my understanding) but can not pogress further, and on review see little that I have left untried, any help would be much appreciated.

[wundertat]

Hi John,

I also have a Bridgeport Boss 8 R2E3 that I have sucessfully drip fed using the files in the "EZlink Utilities.zip" that I found in Post #36 in the thread below:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bridge...-ezlink-3.html

The PDF in the link below is from some school that shows the general operations of a Bridgeport Boss 8. Towards the end, it explains the DNC link process using the "utils.exe" file that is contained in the zip file above.

http://generalradio.org/shoptech/fil...port_guide.pdf

I use the utils.exe file in a slightly different way to both upload programs that will fit in the internal memory (12,000 characters) and DNC link for drip feeding. With the cable attached and utils.exe running, select the "To CNC" then Ez-link in the drop down menu. If the port settings, cable, etc. are correct, it should say "Ready for Data Transfer". At that point, a link is established and you can upload smaller programs or establish a DNC link at the control panel of the machine. Make sure the G-code files you want to upload or drip feed are in the same folder as the utils.exe file. Then, use the control panel options for loading programs from the PC (from REM for small programs or DNC to drip feed).

I always use three-digit text file names for the G-code files (i.e. 111.txt). When you specify the name in the load menus at the control panel, you would simply type "111" then execute. For small programs from REM, you'll see an asterik while it is loading (*) followed by the number of characters that were uploaded. The readout will say "DNC link" if the connection is established for drip feeding. With the program uploaded or link established, you can hit the "auto-block" button, followed by the start button to run the program.

You mentioned that you are using an older DOS-only laptop to connect to your machine. I've also read several threads that indicate that older PC computers are necessary for things to work properly. Just for kicks, I tried using my wife's Acer Aspire One netbook (Windows XP) with a Keyspan USB to serial adapter (P/N USA-19HS) to upload programs and DNC to that old Boss 8. Turns out, it works like a champ! I guess using the methods described with the utils.exe program require Windows anyway. Sure is handy just taking that little computer out to the garage instead of hooking to an old PC from the past.

Well, hope this helps.

Joe