anyone use floppys?

[wadetool]

what do i need to know to read/write to floppy?will a vf1 read
if i have a (.txt) file extension?how do i name the disc itself?
what about the (%) at the beginning and end?

i wrote to the floppy and edited it on the pc,but when i read it
back into the haas,it still read it as the original file name(Oxxxx),
even though i had renamed it.

[BMackinnon]

I believe the controller reads it that way cause it is looking for O__.
Have you tried putting the file name in brackets after the O__ ?

I strongly suggest setting up a port cable if you are sending programs frequently.

or take a look at this thread RS232 VIA bluetooth, Sucess.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by wadetool what do i need to know to read/write to floppy?will a vf1 read if i have a (.txt) file extension?how do i name the disc itself? what about the (%) at the beginning and end? i wrote to the floppy and edited it on the pc,but when i read it back into the haas,it still read it as the original file name(Oxxxx), even though i had renamed it.

On the PC you can name the file almost anything, though it is better to stick with 8 characters. When you put the floppy in the machine and do the read floppy directory command you will see the name you used on the PC but only the first 8 characters. When you load the file into the machine it stores it under the program number that is the first line after the % in the file.

If you rename the program; read program O12345 to the floppy in the machine and call it O12345.txt, then edit it and rename the program O23456 then save it under a different file name on the PC when it is loaded back into the machine it will be stored under the new program name, O23456. It does not matter what name you use for the floppy file when you are reading a program to the floppy and does not matter what name you put on in the PC the controller uses the program name internally.

A word of caution. Older Haas machines will overwrite existing programs in the machine if you load a floppy with a program name that already exists; and they may not tell you they have overwritten. If you download a program to floppy, edit it and make a wonderful screw up in the editing and then load it back into the machine without changing the program your screw up will overwrite the original program.

[DepthOfCut]

I use a floppy disk with one of our HAAS machines but I hate it. I am always having trouble with them. Another of our HAAS machines is capable of using USB drives. That is the way to go!

And yes I agree that putting the filename in brackets is wonderful! I love the HAAS control but still going with numbers only for program file names is VERY limiting.

[QSCNC]

I never have problem when I use floppy disk, except that floppy disk is gone.

I name a program to the floppy disk: Shaft1.txt for example, but the 1st line of the program start with % and 2nd line start with O3567, .................... after M30, the last you put to program is %

[automizer]

has anyone tried going "backwards" by plugging a USB floppy drive in to the USB port on you controller?

[DEAN]

So this is a fact that the currect HAAS machines come with a USB standard? Can one DNC from the USB with a flash drive???

[automizer]

No the USB is an option it also comes with an internal hardrive. But yes you can DNC off a flash drive or a USB zip Drive.

[DEAN]

I got in touch with HAAS about this. They replied;
"Current production VF mills do have the USB port as standard. You can run a program directly off of the USB stick as well."

[automizer]

sure shoot down my answer, ok on some of there models its an option, but thats cool that it comes with the new VF models, and the new bigger LCD screen with more information, I like that.