| | |
First post, Hi everyone!
I used to run a Fadal VMC 6030 & now am trying to get a Fadal VMC 15 for my company. I didn't do a lot of the setup of the 6030 (which isn't available to check anymore) so I'm a little lacking as to how to best get the VMC 15 going.
The 15 has a DOS switch which boots to Windows NT4. The software there is DNC Fadal which is a drip-feed program. When it works, all is OK but the NT4 OS crashes a lot. So, we've added a newer stand alone PC, feeding data via the RS232 port, & have tried a couple of trial drip-feed programs. They work but require additional editing which is my question - why?
This program works fine using the machines built-in Windows NT4 OS & Fadal's DNC Fadal drip-feed software but the machine rejects this same program when feed by a Windows Vista PC using EasyDNC. Our Fadal postprocessor (Unigraphics NX 5) writes a program like this;
(######## TASK : D:\Carpet_Job\carpet.prt ############)
(# Created By : qzdx8r-e)
(# Creation Date: Fri Mar 11 14:38:53 2011)
(# Created using the FADAL POST V15DEC10 #)
(############################################)
%
N1 G90 G80 G40 G17 G43 G71
N2 (----------------------------------------------------)
N3 (Start path: CAVITY_MILL with tool: T01_1.000_BN)
N4 (----------------------------------------------------)
N5 G08
N6 T01 M06
N7 G00 G90 X-410.126 Y-150.000
N8 S2000 M03 M09
N9 Z303.800 H01
N10 G01 Z286.335 F6000.
N11 X-407.788 Y-149.507 F2000.
N12 X-405.459 Y-148.979
N13 X-399.294 Y-147.404
N14 X-393.185 Y-145.626
N15 X-387.137 Y-143.647
N16 X-381.159 Y-141.469
N17 Y-127.798
N18 X-386.485 Y-129.907
N19 X-391.875 Y-131.846
N20 X-397.325 Y-133.612
The DNC Fadal software runs this without a glitch. The trial software, EasyDNC, feeds the data but the Fadal wont accept the same program as long as the operator info is there.
An edited version like this works on Vista PC. The "%" & anything in "()" are rejected by the machine as error reads & must be 1st edited out, like this.
N1 G90 G80 G40 G17 G43 G71
N5 G08
N6 T01 M06
N7 G00 G90 X-410.126 Y-150.000
N8 S2000 M03 M09
N9 Z303.800 H01
N10 G01 Z286.335 F6000.
N11 X-407.788 Y-149.507 F2000.
N12 X-405.459 Y-148.979
N13 X-399.294 Y-147.404
N14 X-393.185 Y-145.626
N15 X-387.137 Y-143.647
N16 X-381.159 Y-141.469
N17 Y-127.798
N18 X-386.485 Y-129.907
N19 X-391.875 Y-131.846
N20 X-397.325 Y-133.612
I'm sure it's in the EasyDNC's setup but I haven't been able to figure it out.
I do appreciate all suggestions.
If the machine accepts the program on one version of Windows but not on another version, the answer is the newer Windows is the issue. You stated Windows Vista. When I was in the Applications/Programming Department @ Fadal we never would support Vista because of all it problems. Use either 2000 or 98 SE and you should have good results.
Neal
We even tried this EasyDNC on Ubuntu Linux but the open source version didn't work very well. It didn't have any custom settings & failed a lot. On Ubuntu it needed the same type of editing as with Vista to work, so, I don't think it's Vista related. Also, I'm not sure that older Windows OS are an option. The company has leasing agreements with HP & most PCs are being converted to Windows 7.
But, as EasyDNC is a trial program, are there better drip-feed programs? We're open to suggestions.
Neil,
As you worked at Fadal I was wondering if you could help on another question. At tool change, the machine reads Z0 (zero) & all movement down towards the table reads in -Zxxx millimeters. Is there a command to manually engage the tool offset so it reads in + Zxxx from the table (assuming the tool tip was set to table as zero)? This would be very helpful while milling stock to a particular height.
The tool length offset can be set off the table there by giving all "Z" movements in the program a positive (+) value. This can be a dangerous method as any programming mistake will cause the tool to dive into the part or table. The polarity of the standard motion of the control is Z+ above tool change and Z- below tool change position.
Manipulating the pogrom and/or offsets is the only way to use positive tool lengths.
Neal
I don't think I explained my question very well. I've see this done before but have forgotten how to do this.
When we're running a program the software's "H" code (like H01 = tool offset for tool #1) makes the readout in "Z" all plus numbers; that is the table surface = Z0 & all above the table as plus Z numbers. But, if we're not running a program & I press "JOG" & lower the cutter to touch the table, the screen read-out for "Z" reads -400 to -500mm.
What I want is to type in a command that uses the offset "H" command, or whatever, so the readout temporally reads from the table as Z0 & everything above the table as plus millimeters. This would make milling a block to a specific height easier.
You can not have comments () before the % sign as this is the start of the program for download
Some software can.
As I said, NC_FADAL software, the software came with the machine & is installed on the computer's Windows NT4 PC, does but, unfortunately, this PC crashes a lot & the software cannot be transfered. Also Connect CNC does as well. So, with some software you can. That's why our postprocessor writes it that way. It was written for the machine's NC_FADAL software.
It's must be in EasyDNC's setup with communicating with the machine. Other software can but maybe EasyDNC cannot.
I have been taught and have assumed that this is true always that the first line in a program must be only a % sign, it must end with the same % line. These do not show up on the machine.
Go to OneCNC and down load their free and unrestricted communication software, NCLink, I use it on both Fadals and Haas machines communicating from a XP Service pack 2 OS for a DNC PC.
To set my 88 Control 15, 15XT and 5020 to communicate at 9600 baud I key in a CD,8 {Enter}
Then at the command line TA,1 {Enter} to tell it to look at the RS232 Port on the machine for code. Some machines will then accept a program at the Command line from a non Fadal Communication program, some it seems you have to be at the
TA,1
< -
Line
I am sure you are reading the Menu page for instructions on the control.
Good Luck
Lowell
Hi Lowell. Thanks for the info & response. This Fadal VMC 15's controller is a CNC 32MP.Originally Posted by lkenney
I'm not trained in such matters. I'm basically a UG designer who posted his jobs to a Fadal VMC 6030 for 6 years. I never did any command line machining other than setting up new tool length & starting up dnc programs. Never had to, everything worked smoothly. Design, post your program, square-up stock & machine; that's it. Occasionally, there would be a need to do some off-line program editing but not very often. I don't recall if there was user data in the posted programs back then for the 6030 as there is in the post I'm using now for the 15. Maybe this post was setup this way because they have separate machine operators/programers & this info gives the machine operator a heads up. Couldn't say for sure.
But, what I can say for certain is the machines NC_Fadal software, as well as a trialware program used on the newer Vista PC, called Connect CNC, use this type post without a machine error, user data & all prior to the "%". Easy DNC software errors & has other issues besides that, as does Connect CNC.
I must get everything working soon as I will be moving to a different location soon. I'll look into OneCNC. Thanks.
I do all of my programming with SurfCam Velocity 5.1 now. On the 88 Control we use all the text lines are not seen except on the same line with the Program Name/number, O Word.
This slowed me up from what I was used to on a Haas Control. I have found a difference in how the Fadal reacted to the Fadal Advisor/Communication program and the OneCNC NCLink program.
I can see how a machine wcould ignore lines marked in such away and only pickup the code starting with the % sign.
Lowell
Posting Permissions
| | |
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
