dnc to shadow controller

[M.G.Machinist]

We have a shadow controller that we are trying to dnc to but cannot get it to work. I can send complete programs but cannot drip feed.
I have tried different baud rate (600 to 4800) and none of them work. When I put in G10 in MDI and start it will send out one line of code and stop. I have the communications set up as follows:
Baud: 600 to 4800 (depending on what I have the machine set at)
Parity: Even
Handshaking: Hardware
Data Bits: 7
Stop Bits: 1

I have the wiring as follows:
Computer (25pin)--Shadow (RS232)
2 --------------- 2
3 ------------ 3
5 ------------ 7 and 8
7 ---------- 5
pins: 4,6,8, and 20 jump together on the computer

I have Multi-DNC (from Spectrum CNC) and ShadComm (I got from Shadow) computer programs for communication. They both do the same thing.
Thanks,
Matt

[andycarter]

Your cable looks rather unusual.

Usually pins 4 and 5 are active for hardware handshaking, and would be connected to their counterparts at the other end - either straight or crossed, depending upon port type.

Pins 2 and 3 are the data lines, and in your case these are not crossed - it is a clue that your handshaking lines probably do not require crossing either.

Usually pin 7 is ground, I would not expect to see it connected to pin 4 or 5.

Are you able to confirm the pin assignments (functions) at the shadow controller?

[M.G.Machinist]

andycarter,
Sorry it took so long to get back. I think I have it wired correct.? I sent this to Len at Shadow and he said it looked good. Here is a pic. of the page in the manual on how to wire it.

I have a project coming up that would really help if I could get the dnc to work. If not I will have to split the program into a few smaller programs.

Thanks,
Matt

[andycarter]

I don't know any shadow specific details, my knowledge only includes some fairly common RS232 serial communication issues.

The wiring is certainly unusual, but it does appear to be correct based on the manual you have.

Note the function is CTS (clear to send) on shadow's pin 7/8. When the PC is configured for hardware handshaking it starts and stops sending according to the voltage it sees on its pin 5. It is a simple traffic-light type system. If you connect a voltmeter to your cable in between PC pins 5 & 7 you will probably see the voltage change just before the PC halts sending the program.

So I would try to establish what it happening that is making the shadow controller remove CTS permission? Usually a machine does this when it doesn't like the received data (format error?) or if its memory is full (unlikely with one line).

[M.G.Machinist]

thanks. I have some work I have to get done but hopefully i can check this out the beginning of next week. I'll let you know what I find.