Buffered Input option (dynapath40)

[Gitanes]

How can I enable the Buffered Input option on a Dynapath40 control?

[MetLHead]

Originally Posted by Gitanes How can I enable the Buffered Input option on a Dynapath40 control?

Call Dynapath and give them the control's model & serial numbers. They will have to send you an upgraded executive disk. I don't know how much it is, so have your checkbook ready . Once you have the disks, it's a do-it-yourself operation, you just need to have a floppy drive on the control.

Or maybe I misunderstood you, do you just need to know how to use it? To enable buffered input mode, go to the Catalog mode and type in RS232C as the program ID. Then press Mode Select again, you should see that some of the menu options have disappeared. If so, you have the option and are ready to go. To select the buffered input source go to the Transmit / Receive mode. Then go to the Auto mode and and you're ready.

Regards,
Scott

[Gitanes]

Good afternoon Metlhead,
You are the first one that responded to my problem.

I have talked with the sharks over at Autocon, and they were useless. In my control (Dynapath40), The buffered input option does'nt appear to be enabled (not highlighted in the installed options screen). I do not have a floppy drive, but I still think that it is possible to unlock the code to enable it. I know it's in there.
My hope is that someone out there has this same problem, But writing a large check to Autocon is not going to happen.
thank you,
Gitanes

[MetLHead]

Gitanes,

If the option is not enabled on the control then I'm afraid that an upgrade disk is the only way to turn it on. The extra cost options cannot be enabled by parameter on the Dynapath controls.

On the bright side, you should be able to plug a standard PC floppy drive into the control's motherboard (not the connector on the bottom of the control). Once plugged in, the control should recognize it when it's turned on.

Regards,
Scott

[Gitanes]

Hello MetLhead,
That sounds like a good Idea. When I talked to Autocon the price of the option upgrade was reasonable, but when I told them that a floppy was not installed on the control the price of the complete upgrade was excessive. I assumed that the code could be down-loaded through the comunication port (RS232).

My control is used on a 1997 model Tree Journeyman 250 (knee mill). Although this machine is very reliable and very accurate, It's use is limitted to tool room machining only.

To Install a floppy Drive, is the control's motherboard inside the large cabinet on the backside of the machine?
thank you,
Gitanes

[MetLHead]

Gitanes,

Yes, the CNC computer should be in the main electrical enclosure. It's got a brushed aluminum frame and the front cover has some connectors sticking through it labeled port 1, port 2, etc. If you haven't done it before, I would suggest finding someone who's comfortable working on PC's to help you. There's an empty 37 pin D-Sub connector on the bottom of the computer that the Dynapath floppy drive would plug into. You'll have to unplug this cable from the motherboard and plug in a standard floppy drive cable in it's place. Once the drive is connected, turn on the CNC and the floppy drive option should be highlighted on the installed options page.

PS - In case you run into this... If you turn on the CNC and the floppy drive's light turns on and stays on then you have the floppy drives cable plugged in backwards.

Good Luck,
Scott

[Gitanes]

MetLhead,
Sounds like you know what your talking about. Floppy Drives are pretty cheap, when I have time this week, I'll try it.

With the instalation of a floppy drive, will that enable me to run larger programs? Or is that determined by the motherboard in the control?

thankyou,
Gitanes

[MetLHead]

Gitanes,

Once you have the buffered input option you will be able to choose between the RS232 port or the floppy drive as the input source. So, if you have programs that will fit on a floppy disk but not in the CNC memory, you will be able to run them straight off the floppy. Without the buffered input option you can still use the floppy to transfer files in and out of the CNC memory.

Regards,
Scott

[HOSS]

Hello,
Can A (off the shelf) hardrive be added in the same manor, or do you need a special hardrive and setup software from Dynapath?
Thanks for the help.
Bob

[MetLHead]

Originally Posted by HOSS Hello, Can A (off the shelf) hardrive be added in the same manor, or do you need a special hardrive and setup software from Dynapath? Thanks for the help. Bob

Bob,

There is nothing special about the hard drive. The only issue is the 2 Gig limit imposed by the the fact that it's DOS based software. However, it IS an extra cost option, so it won't work unless you get the option from Dynapath.

Regards,
Scott

[HOSS]

Thanks for the speedy reply Scott,

This is what I needed, a definitive answer to help in making the final decision to purchase the option from Dynapath.
Again, thank you.
Have a great day.

Bob