Need help getting Mazak with M2 to DNC

[Fish]

Hi Guys,

I have re-aquired an older (late 80's) Mazak vertical with an M2 controller. I am trying to set it up to do some DNC'ing, and I can't remember how to do it. I am using NC Link, and have no troubles uploading/downloading, but I don't have the EIA manual, and can't get it to drip feed. Can anyone tell me what buttons I should be pressing?

Thanks,

Fish

[Al_The_Man]

Try this link, they also have the free DNC pgm. http://www.cadem.com/ncnet/dnc-detai...zak-t32-m2.pdf
Al.

[Fish]

Hi Al,

Thanks for the reply. I've been able to upload and download programs without any problems. The issue I have is that I don't know what buttons to press on the machine to get it to allow drip feeding. I've got a program that is too big for the machines memory, and since I don't have the EIA manual, I'm stuck. Where in Canada are you anyway?

Fish

[Dan Fritz]

I'm not sure about drip-feeding the M2, but these are the guys that know these older Mazaks better than anyone:

Griffo Brothers
www.griffobros.com

[Fish]

Hey Dan,

Yeah, I've dealt with them before. Their software is good in regard to Mazatrol, but I don't use Mazatrol anymore. I'm using NC Link for transfering and it will work for this if I could just figure out what I should be pressing on the machine's control. Does anyone have an EIA manual for an M2 control? Does anyone have an M2 that has done this?

[Dan Fritz]

fish:
The only notes I have on drip-feeding the M2 are from our West coast distributor, Refresh Your Memory, Inc.

Once the PC software is set to match your CNC for baudrate, stop-bits, etc., all you should have to do is prepare the DNC software to send data (using Xon/Xoff protocol), then put the CNC into TAPE mode and press CYCLE START. That should send the Xon code to the PC, triggering the software into sending data. The Xon/Xoff handshake should prevent a buffer overflow on the CNC until the part is finished.

Be careful that your DNC software does not time-out if the Mazatrol stops receiving data for a while. The CNC operator may stop the machine in FEED HOLD or by turning down the feedrate override, and you don't want the DNC software to reset until the file is completely transferred.

Good luck!

[Fish]

Hey Dan, thanks for the reply. I tried it today, and it didn't work. The problem is that it has to be on the Command screen to execute a program, and you can't get to the tape mode unless you are in the program file page. This is probably something really simple. I am going to get on to Mazak tomorrow and see if I can get some help. I am also going to buy a %^$#en manual!!

Fish