Matrix/640/640PC/Plus to Wireless Bridge Setup

[Jswenson2]

Hi

We are setting up a wireless system with several Mazak machine tools. We are using Matrix, PCFusion640, 640, and Plus controls. We would like to setup about 20 machines with wireless communcation to the wireless network router and transfer mazatrol data with Griffo Camlink.

Matrix- Ethernet connector in the cabinet can be connected to a wireless bridge on the machine. The bridge will wireless to the access point and then to the network computer.

FusionPC- No ethernet connector. Can convert to ethernet with a serial RS232-Ethernet adapter or PCMCIA to Ethernet adapter. The adapter would connect to the wireless bridge on the machine and then to the network computer.

T/M Plus- No Ethernet or PCMCIA. Must convert DB25 RS232 to ethernet with the same device and then connect to the access point and network computer.

Would this setup work? What problems can occur? I am concerned about how to connect to individual machines once everything is setup. How would I select which machine I will send/receive data with? With our serial data box we would just select the channel of the particular machine. With a network of 20 machines how would we control the data transfer process?

Are there any particular products you would recommend for this setup?

Am I crazy to try this?

[onthebumper]

On the Matrix controls I have seen Mazak hook their machines up using a wireless USB device hooked into the control. I am unsure of how to transfer the data this way though besides dragging and dropping through Windows Explorer but this would be a risky task for operators. I am sure there are others on here that can give you ideas on data transfer.

Most Fusions did come with an Ethernet connection. Some of the Nexus machines did not because of lower cost but it was/is still possible to get this option. To check if you have ethernet look at the control behind the operation screen. At the top there may or may not be a board with two PCMCIA slots. If you see a card in one with a cable then this is most likely a network card for ethernet. If you have the two slots but no network card then you can purchase a network card from Mazak or find a generic one on your own. If you look on your own make sure you get a 16 bit card with drivers for Win 95. 32 bit cards will not work. If you do not see the two slots for PCMCIA then you will need to purchase a board from Mitsubishi for this.

On the plus controls it is possible to purchase an ethernet card for the control as well.

[MrMazak]

Matrix wireless transfer is pretty simple since it is WinXP based. I use Linksys model #WPC54GS. Share the folder C:\MC_Backup\Other on the control and you can drag and drop programs to and from the machine. Use DATA I/O HHD to transfer to and from the main memory. M640 is Win95 based (some are Win2000) and does not support wireless. I heard you can use a ethernet to wireless adaptor for gaming systems and make it work but I have never tried it.

[psychomill]

You can use serial/ethernet wireless devices and not have to have ethernet or otherwise on machines that didn't have it to begin with. Our entire shop in this building (100+machines) is totally wireless. This also allows everything to go through standard I/O protocols and just a matter of setting up the WAPs. You can also buy them with more than one serial port so that the machine can still get input from a laptop or other serial devices. This is also how several of the maintstream DNC companies set up wireless hardware on any machine/control out there. Companies like SFA (a Predator dealer), Cimco dealers and other DNC vendors have been doing this for years.

For Matrix, you can also use a USB wireless without having to install a bridge. Dropping files into Fusion needs to be set right otherwise Maztrol doesn't see the program in its directory. Using the I/O settings through serial will ensure the program is seen.