Alibre CAM and serial connection

[Mibe]

Alibre CAM and serial connection

It's an "old" Mikron WF41 with Heidelheim operation system. The machine don't have USB, Network or disk drive - just a serial connection.

The laptop don't have serial plugs, just USB, but it will probably work with a USB>Serial Converter.

How do I (or a customer) get the postprocessed file from Alibre CAM to the Milling machine? Will Alibre CAM take care of that or do we need a separate communication program?

 

[Mibe]

No one use Alibre CAM (or Visual Mill) for real work? :roll: :wink:

 

[DavidJ]

If you mean Heidenhain http://www.heidenhain.com then check out the download area of their site - there is software available (FREE) for connecting to their controllers via serial port. Also the controller manuals are downloadable.

If you don't mean Heidenheim - then sorry no idea.

 

[Mibe]

Sorry about the spelling, just heard the name over the phone. Thanks for the answer! I will check that out.

 

[indesign]

check this sight

It is a company often recommended by machinist at the cadcam forum

http://www.shopfloorautomations.com/ser ... veview.php

from this thread

http://cadcamtrainer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630

 

[jgodfrey]

Re: Alibre CAM and serial connection

How do I (or a customer) get the postprocessed file from Alibre CAM to the Milling machine? Will Alibre CAM take care of that or do we need a separate communication program?

Assuming you have the hardware connection issues worked out, you should be able to perform the actual file transfer using just a basic serial communications program.

In fact, the Windows-supplied "HyperTerminal" program will probably get the job done for you. You can typically find it here:

Start Menu | All Programs | Accessories | Communications | HyperTerminal

Jeff

 

[indesign]

3D programs (gcode) are typically too large for most controls unless they have a built in hard drive.

So windows hyperterminal will not work with these files. You need a program that will do basic DNC for these oversized files.

The funny thing is with the cheap controllers most people use when building home systems have their own communications straight from the computer that runs the controller. Better than many of the larger manufactures of controls that cost 100 times more.

 

[jgodfrey]

Re:

3D programs (gcode) are typically too large for most controls unless they have a built in hard drive.

So windows hyperterminal will not work with these files. You need a program that will do basic DNC for these oversized files.

Well, not knowing anything about this particular controller, nor the size of the NC-file being transferred, it's hard to say whether the controller can handle the entire program or not.

Assuming it can't, then you'd be correct and a more robust DNC application would be required. Specifically, one that could spoon-feed (or drip-feed) the code to the controller a little bit at a time.

That said, HyperTerminal will handle typical hardware and software based handshaking, so it still *might* work in this regard - depending on the controller (though that's a long shot).

The funny thing is with the cheap controllers most people use when building home systems have their own communications straight from the computer that runs the controller. Better than many of the larger manufactures of controls that cost 100 times more.

Agreed. I've never understood why PC-based controls haven't made more headway in the marketplace. They *are* becoming more prevalent, but it's taken quite some time for them to gain any traction. As you mentioned, they are *so* much easier to work with, and communications is a cinch as they're generally just another PC on the local network...

Jeff

 

[indesign]

Here is one free DNC with option to upgrade for more features.

I haven't used it but looks good.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/64588

The trouble is that drip feeding usually requires better communications than these free version can give. Hyperterminal and these others most likely will screw up with the timing of the drip feed requirements.

However some companies charge more for the drip feed software than a basic CAM package costs. Bobcad for one can be bought cheap and the new version uses predator software addon to communicate.