Setting up computer/machine communication

[MrWild]

Partmaster COMM is a program that lets you load G-code through an RS 232 cable/port from your computer to your machine. In order to link, you’ll need a compatible serial cable and the proper settings to allow configuring your computer, Partmaster COMM, and your machine.

Once you’ve found a suitable cable and installed it, you need to set the communication parimeters in three locations. PartMaster COMM, your computer’s Comm Port (found through you Device manager), and your machine. Getting any of the parameters wrong on any of the three will cause headaches.

FOR EXAMPLE ONLY

On my Crusader M, the protocols for communication that is most stable, are:

1200 Baud rate (speed of flow)
7 bits word (a packet of information)
2 stop bits (a notice of one packet ends, another begins)
No parity (also have even and odd for choices)
No Handshake (extra choices are Hardware or Software handshake for “FlowControl”)

The computer has one more variable and that is:

Comm Port choice. In this example I’ll assign Comm Port #1 for my Laptop’s comm. port.

Partmaster COMM has this choice, but also two more.

Time out (A pause between sending and receiving)

Emulation (The language used between computer and machine)

*NOTE: Through experimentation, I know the Crusader M will take other settings for more speed, but in order to set up communication, ALL three devices listed above need to have the SAME settings in order for communication to work.

Let’s start with the computer operating system.

Go to “My Computer” and right click it. (My Computer is found on the desktop on W98, W2K, and NT. In XP it is found through the “Start” button)

From the list of drop down choices, left click “Properties.”

At the top of the Properties window, find and click the tab labeled “Hardware.”

About midpoint on the Hardware page is a radio button named “Device Manager. Left click it.

Look down the list for “Ports.”

Click on the little box with the “+” sign in it to drop down your port list.

Some computers may have several port choices. Printers are usually reserved for Comm port #1 and are called ECP ports, so choose any other that are available such as #2 or #3. I chose #1 for my laptop as it was available.

Once you’ve chosen your port to configure, right click it, then left click “Properties” from the drop down list.

The new window will show your port information. In the list of choices, chose “Port Settings.”

The first is “Bits per second” (Baud rate). I looked at my settings and chose “1200.”

Next is “Data Bits.” (Our word length) I set mine to “7.”

Working down the list, I set parity, stop bits, and flow control.

Once you’ve rechecked the settings, click the “Advanced” radio button.

Make sure the “Receive buffer” and “Transmit buffer” sliders are all the way to the right.

Next, make a note of the port number. If there are comm problems at the end, they can usually be fixed by changing the comm. port number. I made sure mine was set to #1.

Now click “Okay” then close the “Device Manager” and “My Computer.”

This concludes the Operating system portion of settings.

Open the program, “Partmaster COMM.”

In order to set up communications, you have two options. You can load a pre-saved machine setting, or install your own settings. You will not have any Communication until you load one or the other. Mine wasn’t listed as a choice so I chose to use “”Port Setip.”

Clickon “Port Setup” for a drop down list, then chose, In the drop down choices at the top, chose, “Configure Port.” (You can also choose to use the “Port Set up” radio button)

You’ll see all of the same choices offered as we saw in our Device Manager. Go through your list of settings and make sure they are the same as what the device manager settings are.

There are two other choices. “Emulation” and “Time Out.”

I left the time out at Dolphin’s setting of “2.”

For Emulation, I chose “ANSI.” (Dolphin “Help” lists the default “DUMB” for Bridgeports with Bandit controls.)

(I apologize, I have no idea what “echo” is and just left it alone.)

Set Handshake to your controls preferences and when everything conforms to your list of settings, click the “OK” radio button.

Once again, click on the port settings dropdown list and now choose “Save.”

Give your new port settings a name (I used Crusader M) and click “save.”

You should now have the, “Drip Feed” “Send file,” “Receive File,” etc buttons become active.

This concludes Dolphin/Computer set up. You will need to make sure your controller is set up with the same settings that you used for your operating systemand Partmaster COMM.

Tips.

If you don’t have communication these tips may help find the cause.

Check your Port Settings in the Device Manager AND Partmaster COMM AND your control to make sure they are the same. ONE WRONG SETTING ON ANY OF THE THREE CAN KEEP COMMUNICATION FROM HAPPENING.

Try changing the Comm Port number. When you change ports, you need to change it in both your Device Manager AND Partmaster COMM.

If you do not have communication after following these steps, make sure your cable is wired correctly. This can be checked with an Ohm meter and a pin to pin comparison with your controllers information.