Roland PNC-2700 problems

[JonnyRPM]

Firstly, I apologise if this is in the wrong sub forum, if it is would someone tell me the correct place to post this?

I've recently started work at an architectural modelmaking firm, who own an Roland PNC-2700 (which dates back to 1993). My bosses old partner was the one who used the machine, but since leaving it's become unused. Now I have a basic understanding on CNC machining, being familiar with Excalibur and RhinoCAM on a Datron machine, but this Roland is causing some problems:

Firstly, it needs Modella (3D) player to generate the tool paths, but getting hold of that is pretty pricey for what it does.So I was told Mach 3 would be a good substitute, but wouldn't this mean making the machine work independently? If so, how would I go about this?

Secondly, Roland have a plug-in for it to work on nothing later than Windows XP which is somewhat ok as the companies desktop runs that, but I do all my work on my laptop which is Windows 7. Is it possible that I could get the path files from my laptop and simply put them on the desktop, or would I need to install everything on there?

Sorry if I'm a bit vague, but if you require any additional information, please just ask. Any help is welcome and I'd massively appreciate it! Thanks

[awerby]

to generate the tool paths; typically these have a *.ROL extension. Use the generic Roland post processor. If that program won't run the program, you can download the "dropout" utility that allows you to run the engraver. Go to this link on the Roland site: </title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/1033/styles/core.css?rev=jaFCxUwDbNshEODcqT2onA%3D%3D"/> <script type="text/javascript"> // <![CDATA[ document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/1033/init.js?rev=BJDmy and click the Utilities tab on the bottom to download it.

I've never heard of running a Roland with Mach3, but if your machine connects with a parallel port, I suppose it's possible. Roland products usually use the computer's print function to operate - open up the printer queue and you'll see your toolpath files ready to run. Mach3 doesn't have any CAM capabilities itself, but the same company (ArtSoft) makes a "LazyCAM" product that will generate basic 2d toolpaths from vector graphic files; if you used it, you might still need Dropout to send it to the machine, unless you managed to switch it over to Mach3 control. But there's no problem transferring the files from your laptop to the desktop that runs the machine; it would probably work better that way than trying to run it from your laptop.

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com &mdash; Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[underthetire]

There is a company I found last year that had software for the Roland/New Hermes stuff. It emulated the roland printer driver, but allowed you to use any windows program/word/excel etc. it was ~500 for the software to buy. I have not tried it yet myself. Mach 3 could work, but I think you would need to re-wire the machine to eliminate the roland controller card.

[JonnyRPM]

to generate the tool paths; typically these have a *.ROL extension. Use the generic Roland post processor. If that program won't run the program, you can download the "dropout" utility that allows you to run the engraver. Go to this link on the Roland site: </title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/1033/styles/core.css?rev=jaFCxUwDbNshEODcqT2onA%3D%3D"/> <script type="text/javascript"> // <![CDATA[ document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/1033/init.js?rev=BJDmy and click the Utilities tab on the bottom to download it.

What would count as the Roland post processor though? That "dropout" utility I assume would just link the PC up to the machine itself to transfer the tool path files?

I've never heard of running a Roland with Mach3, but if your machine connects with a parallel port, I suppose it's possible. Roland products usually use the computer's print function to operate - open up the printer queue and you'll see your toolpath files ready to run. Mach3 doesn't have any CAM capabilities itself, but the same company (ArtSoft) makes a "LazyCAM" product that will generate basic 2d toolpaths from vector graphic files; if you used it, you might still need Dropout to send it to the machine, unless you managed to switch it over to Mach3 control. But there's no problem transferring the files from your laptop to the desktop that runs the machine; it would probably work better that way than trying to run it from your laptop

The machine itself doesn't have a parallel port, but the external controls which hook up to it (contains spindle control/power button) does have them. I also believe this external control acts like a hard drive as they mention that it can store previous jobs. I'll try out that Lazycam now though, so would the order of doings go like this:

Draw up the design in Rhino, export the files and turn them into vectors (all on my laptop)

Run those vectors in LazyCam to generate tool paths, then transfer those files onto the desktop which would have that "dropout" processor installed to pass those files along to the machine?

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for replying!

underthetire; do you have the name of that software so I can look into it?

[awerby]

[QUOTE=JonnyRPM;995882]What would count as the Roland post processor though?

[RhinoCAM allows you to choose different post-processors to use that configure the G-code produced to work with various different machines, which all want their code presented to them in slightly different ways. Roland machines use a flavor of code that's based on HPGL plotter language, and is quite different from most standard G-codes. But when you choose the Roland post-processor, it will automatically configure the code correctly for a Roland machine. If there's no Roland post in the collection of post-processors in your version of RhinoCAM (there should be) you can download it from the Mecsoft site: MecSoft Corporation: Download Posts ]


That "dropout" utility I assume would just link the PC up to the machine itself to transfer the tool path files?

[Right; it sends the code to the CNC machine and runs it.]



The machine itself doesn't have a parallel port, but the external controls which hook up to it (contains spindle control/power button) does have them. I also believe this external control acts like a hard drive as they mention that it can store previous jobs. I'll try out that Lazycam now though, so would the order of doings go like this:

Draw up the design in Rhino, export the files and turn them into vectors (all on my laptop)

Run those vectors in LazyCam to generate tool paths, then transfer those files onto the desktop which would have that "dropout" processor installed to pass those files along to the machine?

[I don't think that will work, unless you do the major surgery required to control the machine with Mach3, since LazyCAM is set up to write Mach3 code, not Roland's odd language. Instead, use the Roland post to write Roland code with RhinoCAM, and use Dropout to send that to the machine.]

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com &mdash; Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software