Programming help?

[shaneh244]

I'm a first class machinist out of my time for about two years now and have recently started working with cnc. At my workplace we have an in house programmer so we don't get a lot of chances to learn programming. I can fluently read the programs and write basic little bits and alterations but I would like to learn how to fully program is there any suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks for your help guys

[txcncman]

I would hope your employer would provide learning materials and an atmosphere conducive to learning. If not, purchase several of the available book on CNC programming and begin with reading them. Once you have learned to calculate tool paths manually (by hand with no CAD/CAM software), you can begin to transition to the CAD/CAM programs.

[shaneh244]

I have read through Peter smid cnc programming handbook, it has given me a better understanding in regards to reading the programs and know what the machine is doing and will be doing next etc but hadn't quiet helped with the programming side like working out tool paths etc

[txcncman]

Would you like me to go do a search on the internet for a list of other CNC programming books available?

[btcomp]

I am having trouble with this forum. I am very familiar with this type of bbs, but sometimes, like today I am having trouble finding the topic area. Since this is a programming thread, I am wondering where I can post a thread on learning the protocol commands for a CNC 88. My program to work the machine is being written in VB.Net 2008 Express Edition. I should be able to send the start and stop commands to load and override programs in CNC, but have had a problem. I believe you can use 'semicolon' and I know the program loaded starts and ends with a 'percent key'.

[txcncman]

I am having trouble with this forum. I am very familiar with this type of bbs, but sometimes, like today I am having trouble finding the topic area. Since this is a programming thread, I am wondering where I can post a thread on learning the protocol commands for a CNC 88. My program to work the machine is being written in VB.Net 2008 Express Edition. I should be able to send the start and stop commands to load and override programs in CNC, but have had a problem. I believe you can use 'semicolon' and I know the program loaded starts and ends with a 'percent key'.

If you cannot navigate a web site such as this, you are waaay out of your league for trying to get VB to talk to a CNC control.

[btcomp]

If you cannot navigate a web site such as this, you are waaay out of your league for trying to get VB to talk to a CNC control.

Rubbish, txcncman. I program!

Receive data / programs at the VMC

[VMC] At the ENTER NEXT COMMAND prompt, enter the command CD,# and press ENTER to switch to "terminal mode". (# represents the baud rate code number)
[VMC] Enter the command TA,1 and press ENTER.
[Computer] Perform the software procedures to transmit the file to the VMC.
File sent to the VMC should start and end with the percent (%) symbol.
[VMC] After receiving the file, press the Manual button to return to the "command mode."


Send data / programs from the VMC

[VMC] At the ENTER NEXT COMMAND prompt, enter the command CD,# and press ENTER to switch to "terminal mode". (# represents the baud rate code number)
[Computer] Prepare the computer to receive a file.
[VMC] Enter the command PU,2 and press ENTER.
[VMC] After the computer received the file, press the Manual button to return to the "command mode."

I think this will work. I stayed away from the CNC 88 today, but will try these codes tomorrow. The NC files I have start and end with a % key. I am hoping that they overwrite the computer program lines in the CNC 88 and put the new file(s) that I will have in a menu driven VB.Net 2008 program.

Part of the receive routine used in VB is below:

'*********************************************************BT-25Apr2012
Friend Sub DataReceived(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As SerialDataReceivedEventArgs)

        Dim newReceivedData As String
       
Dim FILE_NAME As String = "C:\the_plant\rs232.txt"
        ' Dim FILE_NAME As String = "C:\the_plant2012\rs232" & TimeOfDay.Ticks.ToString & ".txt"
        Dim objWriter As New System.IO.StreamWriter(FILE_NAME,true)
        '*********************************************************BT-25Apr2012

"Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong."~Calvin Coolidge

[fizzissist]

... Why are you using VB and struggling with all that protocol??
You can install a USB into the RS232 and load your programs written in Notepad with a thumb drive.

You can use Windows Hyper Terminal, or simplify your life and buy the Calmotion USB-Fadal interface. I did, it was well worth it to me.

For generic, simple programs I have a library of operations that I can cut and paste into Notepad, delete the file extension, save to the thumb and load into the control. The beauty of Notepad is that it doesn't have invisible characters lurking that confuse or stall the control. If you're using a CAM program, same process.

[btcomp]

... Why are you using VB and struggling with all that protocol??
You can install a USB into the RS232 and load your programs written in Notepad with a thumb drive.

You can use Windows Hyper Terminal, or simplify your life and buy the Calmotion USB-Fadal interface. I did, it was well worth it to me.

For generic, simple programs I have a library of operations that I can cut and paste into Notepad, delete the file extension, save to the thumb and load into the control. The beauty of Notepad is that it doesn't have invisible characters lurking that confuse or stall the control. If you're using a CAM program, same process.

Actually fizzisist, when I wrote my last post, I discovered the protocol, using the xon xoff protocol which the company's CNC controller uses with the Windows computer. The VB stuff is pretty easy once you get used to it, or C# if that's what you like, and I started using C# two years ago. My company wants to do this in VB.Net, used to use the old VB6 and I am glad they are going with VB.Net. It's a wonderful language to learn. And there are a couple in the shop wanting to learn this. So I can say, with the discussion with you and the other person on this thread, I have made progress! Have a great evening!

[Bwana Don]

I'm a first class machinist out of my time for about two years now and have recently started working with cnc. At my workplace we have an in house programmer so we don't get a lot of chances to learn programming. I can fluently read the programs and write basic little bits and alterations but I would like to learn how to fully program is there any suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks for your help guys

I enrolled in the local Junior College here in Detroit. I got a chance to program on the shop floor too. Books are ok, but nothing beats hands on, plus book learning. You need to get time on the controller. Bug the guys at the shop to let you try some simple programs and go from there.

Peter Smid books are great too by the way. He is a cnc genius.