RS232 for Heidenhain TNC 151/Mastercam 8.1

[Huntersyv]

Hi everybody.

Does anyone know where to get a reasonably priced RS232 cable. I have recently purchased a 1987 Series II Interact 2. It has a Heidenhain TNC 151 control and I use Mastercam 8.1
I have a contact to a Bridgeport Technical Support that may be able to help, but I wanted to check here too. Also a Post for this control would be way cool.

Thanks, Hunter

[Huntersyv]

The back of the control has a 25 pin I think "M" connector female. I don't know if I can just go and buy any cable from a cable outlet or store like best buy? A bridgeport tech told me that I need to find out if this plug or control is universal? It looks like I would have to get a adaptor of some knid to plug in a usb port? I need like 25 to 30 ft of cable. Has anyone ever built there own cable?

Thanks, Hunter

[gar]

060112-1640 EST USA

Huntersyv:

I think you are asking several questions.

Most 25 pin serial connectors are "D" connectors. Is it comparable to a 25 pin connector you find on a PC?

Because you mentioned USB does this mean you do not have a serial port on your computer?

You really do not want to talk about standard RS232 cables. There are too many differences. One item you need to do first is determine the type of handshake that your CNC uses. If it can work with both hardware and software handshake, then you have to decide which to use. With our I232 System you must use software handshake, whereas with our E232 either can be used. Normally software handshake will only require 3 wires, hardware 5 maybe more wires.

Even if you do not know what pin numbers are what function on the 25 pin connector a DC voltmeter will give you a means to determine the pinout.

On our web site www.beta-a2.com and the E232 Photos page there is a drawing and some written material that may help you. The cable drawing is NOT for a PC to CNC connection. The wiring and definitions at the 25 pin end may match with your CNC.

.

[Huntersyv]

Gar thanks for your input.

It's actually a M type 25 female connector directly behind the control. If you go on ebay and type in RS232 25 pin M cable. It looks just like those, unless the letter has changed over the years. Or the D one is a different shape. My computer is new and doesn't have this type of connection. I think the monitor connector could be the same or similiar. I do have extra usb ports and noticed on ebay that they have adapters that run from RS232 cables to the PC. I will check the web page you sent. I will also try to find out from a tech about the hardware vrs software handshake question. This seems a little more complicated than I expected. But this new contact ( tech) I found is supposed to know this machine and control well. You would think you could just make a phone call and order it.

Hunter

[gar]

060113-1103 EST USA

Hunter:

25 pin M cable looks like a D connector and the M probably refers to Male for the connector. But since the cable has a connector on both ends who knows what they are defining. Loose or improper definitions cause all sorts of confusion.

If you take the letter D and stretch it vertically you will have the approximate outer shape of a "D" connector. Even if you do not have a serial connection ( newer PCs use a 9 pin male connector on the computer, older ones, 1981, had 25 pin serial connectors) on your computer, then you may still have at least one D connector of some pin count on the computer. Look at the back of your CNC and look for a D connector.

I am now assuming that your CNC has on it a 25 pin female "D" connector which requires a 25 pin male on the cable. Thus, the wiring in my diagram under E232 Photos for the 25 pin connector, right side of the drawing, is probably correct for your machine. This is fairly standard.

USB to serial adapters may have problems with communication to some CNCs. Do a search on CNCZONE for Dan Fritz comments, and maybe call him.

.

[dmealer]

Hello,
I bought a el cheapo usb to rs232 converter of ebay. It works fine communicating with our FANUC controls. I can provide a model# if this will help.

Regards,
Dalen Mealer

[rick schriner]

Originally Posted by Huntersyv Hi everybody. Does anyone know where to get a reasonably priced RS232 cable. I have recently purchased a 1987 Series II Interact 2. It has a Heidenhain TNC 151 control and I use Mastercam 8.1 I have a contact to a Bridgeport Technical Support that may be able to help, but I wanted to check here too. Also a Post for this control would be way cool. Thanks, Hunter

Did you get your TNC 151 to interface with your computer yet?

[erd39030]

I do have the same controller on an Bridgeport Interact 412.

I made my own cable with a couple of DB25 connectors that I bought in Steren, along with a USB to RS232 adapter, if you still need help.

Everardo

[gm3211]

The cable needed is a null modem cable, DB9 Female to DB25 Male for this control.
His PC does not have the stanard DB25 or DB9 serial port on it, which you can try the USB thing but I have very unreliable results.

Put a 2 port serial card in the PC for $50 and your done.
Cables for CNCs are also available on the web or our site if you choose not to make it -