mastercam code to punch a tape for machine with tape reader

[PETE1968]

anyone used mastercam to send g-code to punch a tape. would like to know the settings and the editor that you used.

[ObrienDave]

Oh Lordy,
I had forgotten those things were still out there.

Any ASCII text editor that will save in MSdos TEXT format will work for you.
I like CimcoEdit that comes with MCam9.
The trick is using a terminal program to send the file to the punch.
This can be done directly from Mcam or any editor that supports communications.
I have used HyperTerm in the past.

For SERIAL communication it is important that the parameters are set EXACTLY the same at both ends.

Baud rate, number of data bits, parity, number of stop bits and handshaking MUST match EXACTLY.

The most common settings are...
7 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit, XON XOFF handshaking.
Once again, these settings are dependent on what your punch can handle.

The fastest punch I've seen does 120 characters per second.
So setting the baud rate more than 1200 is pretty much moot.
Having not used a real tape punch in the last 20 years or so, I can't tell you about anything faster.

Next thing you need is a serial cable that is properly wired for communications.
There are many wiring diagrams available on the Internet for serial communications.
The punches I am familiar with use a DB25 connector.
Most serial ports on PC's are DB9 connectors.
This link should help you.

http://www.zytrax.com/tech/layer_1/c...#null_db9_db25

From here you should be able to punch a tape with no problems.

I would, however, recommend that you look into replacing the tape reader with some kind of tape emulator or DNC system.
It is simple economics.
Paper tape is 10 characters per inch or 120 characters per foot.
144000 characters per 1200 foot roll AND costs about $45.00
1 floppy cost $0.40 and holds 10 rolls of 1200 foot tape or 12 rolls of 1000 foot tape.
A DNC system doesent need floppies or paper tape.

This seems like a "no brainer" to me.
Sure, it will cost you a few thousand for the replacement, but it will be paid back very quickly if you need to run LARGE programs.
It will save you "OODLES" of time not having to wait 20 minutes to punch one roll of tape.
And even more time if you make a few mistakes and have to punch the tape over and over again.

[PETE1968]

thanks dave very helpful info

[PETE1968]

hi dave
i'm getting close but i am getting blank space betweens lines of code
EX. X0Y0

G01X1

M30

the tape at the machine wont read it.

ANY IDEAS

[PETE1968]

also is there something i need at start of file like a % etc.

[Switcher]

I think the latest version of NcPlot www.ncplot.com will remove blank lines with 1 click.

15 day trial.


.

[PETE1968]

the blank spaces show up after i puch the tape then read it thru the tape punch back to the computer to check the g-code

[Al_The_Man]

What program are you using to read the tape back to the computer? a modem program?
Many Programs have the option wether you want to add a LF (line feed) at a CR (carriage return).
if your tape already does it then you could be adding a second one with the above opton set on.
Al.

[Mike Mattera]

You need to supress/strip the Line Feed command, ascii code 010. It probably has an ascii code of 013 for Carrige Return. On coms systems the Ascii does a Line feed and a Carriage Return.

Check you communications program for charecters to Strip or Supress during the send.

Mike Mattera