DNC Trickle Feed to 6M - HELP

[Jimijames01]

I have just installed Computes DNC5 software and connected the PC to the RS232 port on my Amada PEGA Fanuc 6M controller. I usually run the machine in MEMORY mode after transmitting programs to the control, but I'm finding I'm spending more time at the machine control managing programs and memory than I am working.

Is it possible to trickle feed a 6M control from the PC by running the machine in TAPE mode without a BTR card?

I run tons of small programs using the same material. Nesting is not an option at this time.

Is there a way of quickly changing programs. Mine are usually no longer than 10 lines. No nibbling or contouring involved.

Any help would be appreciated.

[HuFlungDung]

What kind of machining are you doing? Laser, or plasma?

I can't imagine that doing DNC for such a short program is going to be much of a time saver. You still have to start and stop, and change position to cut the next one, etc.

Why would you not take the time to nest the parts?

All I can imagine is lumping all the small programs into one main program, perhaps seperated by M0's or else call each one as a sub program, with the main program containing the M98 statements. It would still require a lot of close attention to detail to try to make this work correctly.

Sorry, without a better picture of what your situation is, its difficult to be helpful

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by Jimijames01 Is it possible to trickle feed a 6M control from the PC by running the machine in TAPE mode without a BTR card?

I am not sure if you can switch the RS232 port over to Tape input as the tape port on all of the 6M I have seen are parallel interface, the BTR card converts over to RS232 when hooked up.
Al.

[Jimijames01]

Originally Posted by HuFlungDung What kind of machining are you doing? Laser, or plasma? I can't imagine that doing DNC for such a short program is going to be much of a time saver. You still have to start and stop, and change position to cut the next one, etc. Why would you not take the time to nest the parts? All I can imagine is lumping all the small programs into one main program, perhaps seperated by M0's or else call each one as a sub program, with the main program containing the M98 statements. It would still require a lot of close attention to detail to try to make this work correctly. Sorry, without a better picture of what your situation is, its difficult to be helpful

Actually I'm punching. I punch 12' sections of bar. The reason I have trouble with nesting is due to camber in the bar. It could be as much as 1/4" over 8'. This causes all my holes to be off center. Most parts are about 16" to 24". After I punch all the holes, I slit the bar with a 1/4" x 3" tool and return home. The finished part is removed and the bar is manually pulled back towards the squaring pin.

I currently produce up to 10000, yes 10000 different punched parts. The average part has 4-6 holes and calls up 2 or 3 tools. I have other more specialized machines for this application, but I just picked up the PEGA and am trying to make it work more effeciently. It worked well for longer runs of common parts, but I need more production when doing mix models with low volume.

I can standardize on clamp positions easily enough, but what I can do is call up my programs and in the DNC application define how many of each I want. I then need a more efficient way of getting this info into the control. Currently we load and run programs individually into memory and then stop to purge the memory once it full. The 6M can only hold 4 or 5 programs in memory. Calling them up and deleting is also a pain.

What I'm hoping to do is trickle feed the control a string of programs using TAPE mode and just have the operator keep pressing start after each sequence is complete. Is this possible? Is there any special equipment/software I need?

[HuFlungDung]

Man, that is a tough question. If there was some kind of regularity to the patterns you punch, I'd set them up as sub programs. Then, use the main program to call the subs only. But, DNC cannot use subs at all.

You say it can only hold 5 or 6 ten line programs in memory? What's up with that?

[Jimijames01]

No regularity in hole patterns at all.

[Kookaburra]

I have seen it done before, however the machine had an interface card installed to bypass the tape reader. Later fanuc controlls come setup with the function, "parameter switchable" directly to the RS-232 serial connection port but as far as I know the 6M needs to be tricked. There is a company here in australia who can help you. Their name is inspiration systems I will try to find their contact details for you if you are interested.

[Chris D]

The 6 series of controls ran for a number of years and there are many different options and configurations.

You have the serial port as you stated - that is good.

On your mode select swtich, do you have a TAPE mode?

If so, then you can do it. To run drip feed, put the machine in TAPE mode, press cycle start (turn on single block if you like), then send your program to the machine.

In order for this to work, you must have either hardwire or software handshaking setup correctly within the software and the machine's parameters.

Chris

Originally Posted by Jimijames01 I have just installed Computes DNC5 software and connected the PC to the RS232 port on my Amada PEGA Fanuc 6M controller. I usually run the machine in MEMORY mode after transmitting programs to the control, but I'm finding I'm spending more time at the machine control managing programs and memory than I am working. Is it possible to trickle feed a 6M control from the PC by running the machine in TAPE mode without a BTR card? I run tons of small programs using the same material. Nesting is not an option at this time. Is there a way of quickly changing programs. Mine are usually no longer than 10 lines. No nibbling or contouring involved. Any help would be appreciated.

[Al_The_Man]

Also, have you considered a memory upgrade http://www.tulipmemory.com/ ?
instead of BTR.
Al.

[Karl_T]

JimiJames,
I have the exact same control and problem. Would you please post back with the solution you settle on?

Karl

[Jimijames]

Karl T - Will do buddy....