Networking of CNC machines

[Klaus]

Does anybody have some information on how to connect CNC controllers to networks through the use of an Ethernet card?

[E-Stop]

Our network is really simple. All of the computers (7 of them) are connected to the network via Ethernet cards and a Linksys router. The CNC machines are connected to the computers via RS-232/Parallel connection. We only use it for Uploading/Downloading programs and printing inspection reports from the machine probe data but it works fine. We have from 1 to 7 CNC machines connected to each of the computers by using a series of A/B/C/D switch boxes to send the signal to the intended machine.

[Klaus]

My problem is that we have a couple of machines that can be connected directly to the network as they are also supplied with an Ethernet card themselves. The RS 232 connection is sometimes to slow for the large programs that we handle.

Klaus

[E-Stop]

I haven't had that luxury. But wouldn't you just run the Ethernet cable from the CNC to the router and treat it like another PC on the network? I don't know. That just seems like it would be the simple solution.

[cadcam]

Klaus, Are you asking us how to set the controls on the machine to act as a node point on your network?

If so we don't even know what machine or control for starters.

Now for a thought the machine needs to be assigned an IP address on a Static Network.

This way it is seen as its own node point.

[Klaus]

That what we are trying to find out. Is any additional software required to connect them or can we connect them directly just as a normal PC.
The machines are an Agie Classic 2S WEDM and a Deckel DMC 103V with a TNC 426 control.

[cadcam]

Klaus, there should not be any more software needed that I know of.
But I do say to check with the manuals.I am not 100% postive on this thought.

But in the past it was like setting up a computer on the network but say in a Dos base becuase of the control.

So you have found the Ethernet plug on the control and plugged in the Cat5?

[meconer]

We have a Deckel Maho DMU 50 eV connected to our network. We have a NFS-server on our network that the machine connects to. We use a directory dedicated for the machine. When we want to transfer a program to the machine we copy it to the transfer directory. From there we can reach it from the machine and do another copy to the disk on the machine.

[Klaus]

The problem is that you have to set up the machine for connecting to a network. As mentioned by 'meconer', the Heidenhian control will connect with an NFS server but there are also some network settings required for which a network specialist is needed (Address, Mask, Router, Prot, HW, Host, etc.. .). I will contact a netwok specialist today and see what can be done.

Thanks for your help.

[hardmill]

Originally posted by cadcam Klaus, there should not be any more software needed that I know of.

That should do it. You create an ip address for that machine and
tell the control the path for the host comp. and that should be it.

PEACE

[rob.sherrill91]

Originally Posted by Klaus Does anybody have some information on how to connect CNC controllers to networks through the use of an Ethernet card?

I, too, am having this problem, but the CNC I'm trying to connect is running Linux 2.64, and I'm trying to connect it to a small Windows network. I've got a pdf telling how to set it up, but it doesn't seem to work, no matter how I do it. I don't want to call out a company technician because it will cost a fortune, so I was hoping someone here would have some insight for me.

I figured this was the best thread to put it in, sorry if I put it in the wrong one.

[meconer]

What linux distribution are you using? Samba is normally used for accessing windows networks from linux and newer distros usually connects to windows networks without any special setups.