Mastercam X2 >> AXYZ Millinium CNC ?!!?

[danarchi]

ACK!
HELP!
NEED XML FILE OR OTHER ROUTE...
I'm so far unable to control an 'AXYZ Millinium' CNC machine directly from Mastercam X2. I've installed 3 files that simulate this machine in making toolpaths and NC files, but when I try to send it to the machine it's lost. Those files include AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.pst, AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.rmd, and AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.control.

Upon sending, there are two choices in the 'communications' window: Legacy or Mastercam. If I choose 'Legacy', and manually coordinate the parameters with what is shown in the device manager, nothing reaches the machine.

And if I choose 'Mastercam' it just requests an XML file specific for the AXYZ Millinium (sn:2680-2570). I've had no luck getting this from AXYZ nor Mastercam.

If you have any advice or can send me this XML file, it will be greatly appreciated!

[cadcam]

Well what are you using as a cable? is it the right configuerd cable.
Are you sure you have this set to the right com port on the computer.
Once again are we sure the info is leaving the com-port?

Are you sure you have the same settings as the control ?(exp. 7,even,1,38400,)

Is there a radio shack near by?

[danarchi]

Thanks for your reply,

physically from the computer there's a USB plugged into an AXYZ_USB_to_RS485_Converter which links to the machine via serial cable.

The device manager shows this connection both under USB and COM3 ports.

Port settings in mastercam match those in the device manager. I can send 2d jobs to the machine from a much simpler software, 'ToolPath', which came with the Millennium. I can't find port settings listed in the ToolPath software, but it communicates with the machine just fine.

It's communicating from Mastercam (i.e. more complex 3D stuff) that stumps me.

UPDATE: When I send a job from Mastercam, the LEDs on the USB_to_RS485 converter do flicker, but nothing reaches the CNC.

[Matt Berube]

Does the AXYZ have a control as part of the machine or do you use a PC to "control" the machine ?

[danarchi]

both, but neither control everything... From the PC I send jobs to the machine with certain parameters, such as RPM, feedrate, etc., but can't initiate the cutting process from the PC. From the machine I can override those parameters, reposition coordinates, and initiate the jobs recieved from the PC.

[Matt Berube]

Let me ask another way...

Once you load the program can you turn off the PC and keep making parts ?

[danarchi]

yes. Once jobs reach the AXYZ CNC, they can be run without any connection to the PC. It stores many past jobs that I can scroll through. I've read that I can even make an array of duplications of a single job, all independent of the PC.

It's only jobs sent from Mastercam that get lost. Could Mastercam require different port settings than ToolPath?

[Matt Berube]

The reason I was asking is because there are a lot of people on here that build their own machines and control them with a PC. I had one person that thought Mastercam could actually control the machine and I wanted to make sure you weren't in the same boat.

Are you using the Mastercam X editor to set up your communications and send the file ?

I have never used the Mastercam X editor communications before but coincidentally I will be setting up a PC that way this week. If you still need help at that time I will do my best.

I have heard of some people having difficulties with Mastercam communications but I am not sure if that was caused by the software or the user...

For now, one solution which I know will work is "DNC SERVER" which can be downloaded for a free trial period. Look here... http://i-logic.com/dncserver.htm

The other question I have is whether your machine has the *optional* Drip-feed interface ? The Manufacturer's website lists this as optional equipment so if you wanted to run programs that are larger than your machine's memory you would have to have the "drip-feed" add-on.

DNC Server will send programs either way... normal or drip-feed.

I hope this helps.

[Musick7]

Originally Posted by danarchi ACK! HELP! NEED XML FILE OR OTHER ROUTE... I'm so far unable to control an 'AXYZ Millinium' CNC machine directly from Mastercam X2. I've installed 3 files that simulate this machine in making toolpaths and NC files, but when I try to send it to the machine it's lost. Those files include AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.pst, AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.rmd, and AXYZ_Generic_4X_Router.control. Upon sending, there are two choices in the 'communications' window: Legacy or Mastercam. If I choose 'Legacy', and manually coordinate the parameters with what is shown in the device manager, nothing reaches the machine. And if I choose 'Mastercam' it just requests an XML file specific for the AXYZ Millinium (sn:2680-2570). I've had no luck getting this from AXYZ nor Mastercam. If you have any advice or can send me this XML file, it will be greatly appreciated!

MasterCam X2/X3 will send your Gcode to your CNC mill/lathe/router. In my school we have 1 PC that has 2 CNC milling machines one being a 3 axis the other a 4 axis Com 1 and Com 2 ports. The other 2 machines are both CNC Lathes and there also set up like that.
Today I tried and tried to get my Code sent to the machine but was not successful I tried and tried... There was another Job in the Mill 4 axis and I just dont know to much about MC at this time....
But on a side not when I talked to the instructor, I asked him if he could look at my project I was working on in Mastercam. When I pulled it up he asked Who taught you MC and I pointed to his book by his desk, He snickered a little. Long story short after finding out I spent about 11 hours on my project with ZERO knowledge of any kind of CAD program ever before he was pretty impressed!
Still dont know what the heck I am doing wrong to get my project to the mill.... UGH! Spent about 5 hours trying and trying and nothing

But yup MasterCam is a Sweet product! Should be for the 30 grand it cost!

[Superman]

Alway start diagnosing communication problems by 1st sending from the machine to PC.

This is because the machine has the file and may add special codes before transmitting

Areas where problems may exist
1- the start of file format may not be correct ie.% etc
2- M/c command format to read the file
3- M/c comm settings
4- PC comm settings
5- cable wiring

If going from PC to the machine, there is too many areas that could be setup wrong.
So we eliminate as much as possible, set the PC and M/c to specs, check cable wiring to specs, which leave #1 and #2, if we start on the M/c side #1 and #2 are not an issue. Then alter 1 variable at a time ( some variables do not need altering (ie Baud rate, data bits, start/end codes on NCfile )

After a "send from M/c" success, we move to "send from PC", ( we know that #3, #4, #5 all work... Just leaves #1 and #2 to figure out )

[Musick7]

Originally Posted by Superman Alway start diagnosing communication problems by 1st sending from the machine to PC. This is because the machine has the file and may add special codes before transmitting Areas where problems may exist 1- the start of file format may not be correct ie.% etc 2- M/c command format to read the file 3- M/c comm settings 4- PC comm settings 5- cable wiring If going from PC to the machine, there is too many areas that could be setup wrong. So we eliminate as much as possible, set the PC and M/c to specs, check cable wiring to specs, which leave #1 and #2, if we start on the M/c side #1 and #2 are not an issue. Then alter 1 variable at a time ( some variables do not need altering (ie Baud rate, data bits, start/end codes on NCfile ) After a "send from M/c" success, we move to "send from PC", ( we know that #3, #4, #5 all work... Just leaves #1 and #2 to figure out )

There is a % sign at the beginning and end of the Gcode file... Does that mean its wrong? The computer and machine I know work 100% for sure. There was another program in the Funuc control. So not sure if it was locked the key wasnt in the locked possition... Not sure if I even know how to use that setup. So I moved to a smaller table top mill the Prolite. Much smaller but will do just fine for Aluminum 6061. Just if I can figure out how to set it up and get all the holes in the right place Ill be doing great! I am trying to make the holders for my Induction harden shaft and bearing holders for my own mill i am trying to make. Not going so well....

[Superman]

Download success , yes

A % is OK, some machines add a little more , or a little different, a Fanuc uses an O1234 or ;1234 but an Okuma adds $O1234.MIN% as the first line to a downloaded file

I'm using a program named O1234 as an example

Now that you can sent the file M/C to PC and cables work, comm settings seem good, the next step is to send that file from PC to M/C , we are setting our upload proceedure, to punch ( download M/C to PC ) a file is easier than to read ( upload PC to M/C ) , we may have device and / or file naming errors.
( but we know the actual file is transmitable )

( note! some machines have different settings in punch/send or read/receive mode )

upload that file , what does it do ? errors ?

as for the "prolite", yes ,noticed the thread!!