Simple DNC in CAM

A new utility called Simple DNC spools toolpath data to your machine tool as a background task in Windows. This means that instead of your computer being tied up for hours at a time, you can continue to use it while it handles the machining job.

Using Simple DNC

1. Create your toolpath in ArtCAM in the usual way, saving it to a post-processor file.

2. Start Simple DNC. You will be prompted to select the machine you want to use, as shown below:

3. Use the pull-down list to select the machine you want to use, then press Continue… to quit from Simple DNC at this point, press Exit.

4. The first time you run Simple DNC you should configure the serial port to suit your system. Do this by picking the Setup… button. This will display the following dialog box:

5. Make your selections for every item in the list. Much of the required information can be found in Windows Control Panel, under the System appellate. When done, press Apply. This will return you to the main Simple DNC dialog.

6. Pick the File select… button to select a toolpath file to be sent to the machine tool. This will display a dialog from which you can browse and select the desired file.

7. Press Start Tx… to start the transfer of toolpath data to the machine tool. The following confirmation dialog will be displayed, to ensure that data is not sent by mistake:

8. If you pick the Yes button, the toolpath will be sent to the machine tool. The process is fully automatic from this point on. You can now minimize Simple DNC and set it work in the background.

9. Pick the Stop Tx… button to stop toolpath processing. The following confirmation dialog will be displayed, to ensure that the transfer is not cancelled by mistake:

10. You can check the progress of the job using the Status section of the Simple DNC dialog. Here you can find a graphic indicator, the elapsed time and the number of blocks of data transferred so far.

Connector pin-outs

For Simple DNC to work properly with your machine tool, the cable between your PC and machine tool must have a suitable pin-out arrangement. Without this, signals will not pass properly between the two systems. Suitable connector pin-outs are given below.

Software Flow Control

PC with a 9-pin serial connector. Control with a 25-pin serial connector.

PC with a 25-pin serial connector. Control with a 25-pin serial connector.

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