Need Help! Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue


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Thread: Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

  1. #1
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    Default Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

    I'm pretty new to posting here so hopefully I'm in the right location.

    Here's my issue:

    Starting Point: I'm trying to transfer my G-code to my DX-32 MS-DOS system (from a: to c: drives). I've done tons of troubleshooting and trying different solutions and now I'm just stumped. So I'll explain the symptoms and then go thru what I did to try and correct the issues and what results I got.

    Trying #1 to copy via MS-DOS (copy a:\file.txt c:\txtfiles\file.txt) I get an error via the a: 3.5" floppy saying bad sector. Fail, Retry, Ingore, Abort....selecting Ignore will eventually copy the file but about 200 lines in it goes to garabage language.

    Then try #2: Open Edit application c:>edit. In the MS-DOS Editor open file a:\file.txt and it loads!!!! Or so I thought.....in the NCverify it goes nuts ever so often....looking back at the code.....every 200 lines or so a block of 50-100 (approx) lines is missing....huhhh????

    OK Try #3: Buy new floppy drives, format, copy fresh files.....verify on 3 different computers that I can open the a:\file.txt and see that ALL the code is there and complete....Ok, so now I have a good Floppy with Good Code. Go to VMC800 Copy files like Try #1.....Same Result.....Try #2....Same Result.

    OK Try #4: Floppy must be bad....so Change out the actual floppy drive...Now ready to rock and roll. Try again like the Try #1.....Same Result....Try #2....Some Result.

    Ok Try #5...So it might be the RAM....Dropping blocks of code via #2 (I can't understand #1...trying to improve #2). Ordered new RAM and 2x the amount....Try #1....Same Result....Try #2.....IMPROVEMENT....Imports the gcode....I think its all there....but veryifying shows that now usually only 1 Block of Code is missing about 50 lines. It has improved....So its its got to be the RAM....move the RAM to different Slots....Same Result.....take one stick out....Same Result. I've bought more RAM but its not in yet....But why would taking out 1 stick not make the problem worse....its the same result? Also why can I not improve Try #1?

    So now I start thinking about shotgun troublshooting....So I get a 3.5" floppy USB emulator....Try this out....Success on setup....easier file transfer....taking out the mechanical problematic 3.5 floppy all together (Great). Try #1.....Same Result....Try#2(5)....Same result as #5.....So now I know its not the Floppy/floppy drive.

    Has Anyone Seen This? Know of what I might do next to get my files on my VMC800 DX-32 system?

    I've been trying to research DNC....and I'm totally clueless on how to get it done on my old Bridgeport. Anyone done this one a Bridgeport VMC that could help, or Other ideas? I think I've got an old 486 motherboard...So is there some kine of secondary IDE that can take some kind of media (USB, micro SD, etc....) that I can use to copy to C:?

    Thanks for ANY HELP!!!

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

    Hello!! Did you ever solve this? I'm experiencing the EXACT same issue here on my VM760/22 with DX32 Controller



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    Default Re: Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

    I see something about making sure to Format the Disk 1st before Copying. also...File names must be 8 bit max...remember...lol
    Page 60 of 109 Chapter 7-2
    Bridgeport DX32 CNC VMC Operators Manual pdf - CNC Manual

    Last edited by machinehop5; 01-08-2020 at 11:24 PM. Reason: 8 bit


  4. #4

    Default Re: Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

    Quote Originally Posted by machinehop5 View Post
    I see something about making sure to Format the Disk 1st before Copying. also...File names must be 8 bit max...remember...lol
    Page 60 of 109 Chapter 7-2
    Bridgeport DX32 CNC VMC Operators Manual pdf - CNC Manual
    Tried that repeatedly, with both a USB Floppy Emulator and a USB Floppy Adapter, both experiencing skipped lines.

    I'd like to try transferring programs over the serial port but I'm not having success. I hooked up a serial port to the machine and my laptop and tried comms in both directions (machine sending a file, and PC sending a file) neither direction gets any result. It almost seems like the wrong COM port it setup in the CNC or something. I can't find any documentation on doing serial loading other than the one pretty useless page in the manual.



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    Default Re: Bridgeport VMC800 DX-32 File Transfer Issue

    Hi,

    I seem to recall there is some EasyLink Protocol required to send to the machine or some special characters to send to the controller. Bridgeports are different than most CNCs and because of the age, might have ascii characters.

    If you want to reach out to us, give me a call and I might have some advice. Of course, you will need a software package to send, USB to serial adapter, RS232 cable and maybe RS232 tester. Your PC should be running Win7 or 10 -

    Greg Mercurio
    Shop Floor Automations
    619-461-4000
    www.shopfloorautomations.com

    Greg Mercurio
    Shop Floor Automations, Inc.
    www.shopfloorautomations.com
    (619) 461-4000 Tel


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