Need Help!- Anilam Crusader II DNC possibilities.

[aerofab]

I have a 3 axis knee mill with Anilam Crusader II controls. I am sick of manually entering programs, not to mention that it takes too long and I have too many jobs to run to keep wasting time doing it. Does anyone out there know if antone makes a converter to use a flash drive to load and save programs on this controller. It has the 25 pin port on the back for a tape reader "Recorder" as it is labeled. Or the other ortion would be to upgrade the controls to something more modern. Any ideas on an afordable option here?

Thanks

[CNC-Joe]

Aerofab - I also have a Knee Mill (SuperMax YMC30) factory outfitted with Anilam Crusader 2.

First - you have to find out if the RS232 port is wired and active.
There is a code to do this - I can look it up if you like. Or you can call Anilam -they will tell you how to punch in the code and to read the output to tell.

After that - any simple comm program can Download to the mill or upload from the mill. I use BobCAD Cam's built in Communication with a PC (2400 baud, 7-n-1) with absolutely no problems.

As for pure DNC - as in dropping a chunk of g-code at a time to a running Anilam - I'm told mine cand do this - but I have never been successful.

I am going to convert the whole thing to Gecko 320 based controller this fall.

Drop me a line if you have questions. Also email to Joe(atsymbol)BigWoodVise.com

Good luck,

Joe

[CNC-Joe]

fter you find out that your port is wired and working..
then you need a Null Modem cable to connect it to the PC

here's a good thread on this:
Anilam Crusader 2 DNC/RS-232

Then its a matter of putting the machine in "Send" or "Receive" mode
(I can give you the codes for this too.. )


Joe(atsymbol)BigWoodVise.com

[whiz]

Originally Posted by CNC-Joe Aerofab - I also have a Knee Mill (SuperMax YMC30) factory outfitted with Anilam Crusader 2. First - you have to find out if the RS232 port is wired and active. There is a code to do this - I can look it up if you like. Or you can call Anilam -they will tell you how to punch in the code and to read the output to tell. After that - any simple comm program can Download to the mill or upload from the mill. I use BobCAD Cam's built in Communication with a PC (2400 baud, 7-n-1) with absolutely no problems. As for pure DNC - as in dropping a chunk of g-code at a time to a running Anilam - I'm told mine cand do this - but I have never been successful. I am going to convert the whole thing to Gecko 320 based controller this fall. Drop me a line if you have questions. Also email to Joe(atsymbol)BigWoodVise.com Good luck, Joe

I've got a retrofitted bridgeport with a anilam series 2, hand write some of the smaller programs, but use bobcad v17, older version, for most parts, works pretty sweet. Im interested in the Gecho 320 conversion, please post or pm.
Later,
Billy

[SHARPMACHINE]

Hello,

I have an old supermax with a crusader on it also. If you have the codes to check the plug on the back, that would be much apreciated.

I am trying to get mine to work with a computer as well. Bobcad is the prefered method. I am also interested what other programs people have used (crosstalk or something??).

thanks

[Dave1200]

Hi There,

This site has quite a bit of info and hopefully will help you.
http://faculty.etsu.edu/hemphill/ent.../index.htm#toc

Cheers, Dave

[Brad Fury]

Has anyone had any problems with losing communication?
I put a program in, ran a dozen parts or so. Deleted the program and now the controller will not receive? No error codes and when I hit send on the computer the controller beeps but nothing is there? I have never had an issue with this before?
Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

[cprucha]

Originally Posted by Brad Fury Has anyone had any problems with losing communication? I put a program in, ran a dozen parts or so. Deleted the program and now the controller will not receive? No error codes and when I hit send on the computer the controller beeps but nothing is there? I have never had an issue with this before? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

Hi Brad,

Make sure your emergency stop button is out when trying to send a G-code file to the Crusader II controller. I then enter in at the controller an "AUX" "2701" and hit the start button on the controller. Then I go to the computer and send the G-code file. Hope this helps...

Craig

[CNC-Joe]

Originally Posted by Brad Fury Has anyone had any problems with losing communication? I put a program in, ran a dozen parts or so. Deleted the program and now the controller will not receive? No error codes and when I hit send on the computer the controller beeps but nothing is there? I have never had an issue with this before? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

Hi Brad,

Test your cable - make sure it has continuity - and that you're not chasing your tail there.
======================================================
Test Your Anilam RS-232 send/receive communication board:
[E-stop IN/ON] [E-stop OUT/OFF]
[Manual][Aux] 2740 [start]
--->Returns Zero - You're good
--->Returns 38/39 - bad board

Note: You need a "Loop back" plug to test the port.. I'll see if I can dig up info on it..
=================================================
1) Clear out the program memory
[Program] [Event Clear] [Event Clear] [Event Clear] [Event Clear] [Event Clear]
(that's Event Clear 5 times

===================================================
2) Configure Anilam Comm parameters, I use 7 bits, No Parity, 2400 baud (have used up to 9600 baud)
7-Bits:
[Manual] [Aux] 2767 [start]

No Parity:
[Manual] [Aux] 2770 [start]

2400 Baud
[Manual] [Aux] 2786 [start]

Note - must be the same as your PC communications program parameters.
=======================================================

3) Put Anilam into Receive mode
[Manual] [Aux] 2701 [start]

=======================================================

4) Send the properly post processed G-code from your PC communication program to Anilam.
Note: you should hear a beep at the end of the transmission
Note: G code must begin with a % sign
Note: G code must end with a G29#, Line/carriage return and % sign

Hope this helps

Note --- Great source of information out on: http://faculty.etsu.edu/hemphill/ent...mill/index.htm

[CNC-Joe]

Ok - found the plug for doing the RS-232 check.

Get a DB-25 connector to plug into the back of the anilam.
Solder wire connecting pins Pins 2-3, and Pins 6-20 Jumpered

Plug it in.
Estop in
Estop out
Punch in: Manual, Aux, 2740, Start

If you get a "0" (Zero) back - you're golden

note:
To reset the cnc parameters turn off the 110 to the console. Hold the event clear key in and turn on the 110 vac power and wait for a long beep. Next retype in the aux codes and try again.

BIG THING NOT TO FORGET:
When setting the anilam up to communicate back and forth with your communications software.
>>> Enter the Anilam communications parameters in a program - on the anilam - then run it.
>>> Do not just enter the codes... .. enter a program.. set it back to line 1 .. then run it...
Then clear the program memory... then do the "manual" "aux" 2701 "enter" to download the program

(( Ok - you see why I want to upgrade Annie to a Gecko-320???))

[Hythos]

As for actually setting yourself up with a USB to RS-232 solution, www.calmotion.com has a USB device that could work. They're coming over this week for a demo - but it looks like it's easy...

[radioactive]

Originally Posted by aerofab Or the other option would be to upgrade the controls to something more modern.

Here's one option... (my build thread)

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73820

I purchased my machine with Anilam Crusader series M on it and changed it all out to Mach 3, Gecko 320's, smooth stepper board, PMDX-122 board, and a rogers machine encoder interface board. Re-used the power supply and purchased a Hitachi VFD for the spindle motor. I'd guess about $1600 for parts needed for the conversion including the PC. I just put all my anilam crusader parts up for sale on ebay, hoping to recoup some of the cost.