Please Help ESAB AUto Path 750

[pcasey]

Hello All,
A friend bought a Sign Mate 1000 w/ an Auto Path 750 control. It all appears to work and you can manually enter a program into the control. He asked me to help set up the computer part of it since I am one of the few computer literate people he knows. Unfortunately I know nothing about CNC. Our problem is after setting up everything according to the manuals I can't get a proper file transfer.

What I know:

-There is communication between the PC and the Pendant (I know this because the PC will wait for me to hit ENTER on the pendant before it starts a transfer.)
-The manual says I can use a standard RS232 cable.

What I've tried:

-Quiet a few DNC programs, Some Logixx program that came with the machine, and I just got BobCad 20 but haven't had a lot of time to set it up or try it.
-Entering a parts program directly into the pendant and running it (it works)
-Using a different computer, cables, configurations, languages? (fanuc, etc)

What I am trying to do:

-Cut .050 Aluminumn and 1/16" Acrylic Letters for sign making.

Please if anyone has any clue on where to find resources/information on the setup and file transfer I'd appreciate it. If you're in the Cleveland Area I'll pay to have you come by (anytime) and help get this communication issue solved.

Thank you in advance.

[jwoods]

Did you ever get the SignMate going? I just got one up and running that sat in our shop for a year. Give me a holler if you need some help. biggdirty@gmail.com

[mrxinpa]

You can NOT use a Standard RS232 Cable .. It must be a Null Modem... We are only using Pin 2 TX Pins 3 RX and 7 GND. .. make sure 2 and 3 swop at one end and your good to go... Have the file you want to transfer in the same directors as the DNC.EXE file. Start the DNC program. You can force it to a specific Port by typing in DNC 1 for Port 1 or DNC 2 for Port 2 etc up to the 5th serial port. Once you are at the Autopath type in DNC when the link is established the command prompt will change to "enter command data" at this prompt type FH and the filename NO SPACE!!!!!.. FH stands for From Host.

This should transfer the program. When you are finished exit DNC by pressing the F1 Key. this closed the Port and waits for the next download.

Good luck let me know...