CNC File Transfer Box. Connecting the CNC File Transfer. CNC Transfer Program

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1 CNC File Transfer Box The CNC File Transfer connects a serial CNC device to the network so files can be easily transferred from a computer to the CNC equipment. Any computer on the network can transfer files to the CNC serial port at any time without the need for unreliable serial transfer switches. Files can also be sent from a USB memory device to a CNC machine as well if the network isn't available providing a backup solution if the network is down. Connecting the CNC File Transfer Plug the network cable into the Ethernet port on the CNC File Transfer box. Plug the serial port into the CNC machine and the CNC File Transfer box labeled SERIAL. Plug the other end of the serial cable into the CNC machine. After the Network and serial ports are properly attached, plug the wall transformer into 110V 60Hz outlet. Verify the power light is on and the network lights are light and operating properly for your network. Wait 15 seconds before the software is ready to accept serial files. Note: The network connector has two LED's. The left green LED indicates link/activity and the right yellow LED indicates port speed (on: 100 Mbps, off: 10 Mbps). CNC Transfer Program The CNC Transfer Program can control and monitor up to 40 CNC File Transfer boxes, one at a time. Any CNC machine on the network can be selected from the Device drop list so files can be directed to any device. More than one computer can be pointing to the same CNC Transfer box at the same time although transfers are accepted on a first come, first serve bases. Feel free to make as many copies of the CNC Transfer Windows program as needed for any computer on your network. The programs inside the CNC File Transfer box are not to be duplicated at any time. Attempting to copy the program files inside the CNC File Transfer box will violate the program copyright license agreement and potentially damage the devices configuration. Note: As CNC units are added and removed from the network, use the Find button to refresh the list of available devices.

2 Configuring the CNC File Transfer Box Each CNC File Transfer Box must have the network and serial port configurations set for proper operation. If you purchased multiple CNC File Transfer Boxes, configure them one at a time so you don't get confused as to which one is which. Note: You can refer to the network MAC address to identify which box you are communicating with since the MAC address is unique for each box and never change. Network Configuration Plug in one CNC File Transfer box at a time into your local network. Install the Windows CNC Transfer control program on a networked computer and run the program. The program will automatically locate all CNC File Transfer box plugged into the local network and display the name of the assigned CNC Device on the program. If more than one box is found on the local network, any device can be selected from the list at any time from any computer. Once a device is selected, the CNC File Transfer box's network and serial port can be configured for proper operation between your network and your CNC machine. Select the menu title System and the menu item Network to display the network settings currently programmed in the box. Enter a unique name for each CNC device to distinguish it from multiples devices on your network. Use any name using upper or lower case letters with the exception of spaces although you can use underscores in place of spaces to make the names more readable. For example, valid CNC Device names are HAAS_VF5, Mill_#1, Lathe-5 etc., use a name that best identifies your CNC machine.

3 DHCP vs. Static Network The network can be configured in one of two ways. Some networks can automatically assign the proper configuration settings using DHCP and others must be assigned manually. Talk to your network administrator if you aren't sure which is best for your network. Configuring for DHCP is easy, select the method as DHCP and press OK, the other settings will be configured automatically. If your network doesn't support DHCP, select Static and enter the appropriate IP, Subnet Mask and Default gateway for your network. Your network administrator will be able to supply the parameters for your network. Once all parameters are entered, press OK and the CNC File Transfer Box will configure itself and restart the network connection automatically. If the network configuration is not valid, the program will attempt to modify the mask or gateway to work with your IP address. If you are having trouble connecting with your network, see your network administrator. Once connected, the IP address should reflect the address of the selected CNC File Transfer box. Once the network is configured, the configuration will be permanently stored in the CNC File Transfer box even if the box looses power.

4 Serial Port Configuration Select the menu title Serial Port and menu item Configure to display the current serial port configuration. Configure the serial port on the CNC File Transfer box with the parameters, appropriate for the selected CNC machine. Refer to your CNC machine operators manual for configuration information. Once the baud rate, parity, bits and stop bits are selected, select the appropriate serial protocol for your machine. Use the highest Baud rate the CNC machine is capable of accepting to minimize the time required to transfer files into the machine. If you are experiencing errors in the serial communications, try selecting a lower Baud rate. If you change the Baud rate on the CNC machine, be sure to also change the Baud rate on the CNC File Transfer box as well so they match. XON/XOFF Protocol XON/XOFF protocol is used by many machines to transfer characters one at a time and pause if the XOFF character is received and restart if the XON character is received. This is the simplest method of sending a file into a CNC machine. This protocol has no error correction so files may or may not transfer correctly. XMODEM Protocol The XMODEM protocol is used to send data to a machine while checking for errors and correcting any problems if necessary. Although XMODEM may slow the transfer rate, it is very useful to check for errors and correct them automatically for long file transfers. The CNC machine must be capable of accepting XMODEM serial transfers and configured for XMODEM transfers as well. Once the network and serial port is configured, press the Set button to transfer the settings to the CNC File Transfer box and permanently store the configuration in the CNC File Transfer Box. Note: Since the serial configuration is stored in the CNC File Transfer Box, not the Windows program, only one configuration is permitted per box.

5 Sending files over the Network Select the CNC device from the drop down window if you have multiple devices on the network. Once selected, the boxes IP and MAC address are displayed as a reference. If several devices are programmed with the same host name, the IP or MAC address can be used to identify between them. Prepare the CNC machine to receive the file and press Send File button and select the file to send to the serial port. Once the file is selected, the file will be sent quickly to the CNC File Transfer box over the network and stored in the box. Once the file is completely transferred, the CNC Transfer Box will begin to transfer the file by the serial port. If XMODEM is selected, the CNC File Transfer box will save the file until the machine is ready to begin accepting the file. Sending files by USB flash memory Copy the appropriate CNC file to the USB flash memory using a computer. Once the file is saved to the USB device, unplug it from the computer and insert it into either USB port on the CNC File Transfer box. When you are ready to send the file, press the upload button on the box and the file will be read from the USB device into the box and then transferred serially to the CNC machine. Note: Be sure the USB flash memory device contains only one file and it is at the root of the device, not in a folder. The CNC File Transfer box locates the first file found and loads it into memory. If the USB memory contains more than one file, the proper file may not be transfered. Transfer Status As the file is sent serially, the Windows program automatically reflects on the status of the transfer by updating a bar graph and the transfer rate in K/min. If the XMODEM protocol is selected, Serial transfer errors are displayed as well if XMODEL block errors are found and retransmitted. Any computer running the CNC transfer Program on the same network will reflect the same transfer status. Serial Transfer Reset If at any time the serial port isn't responding properly, select the menu option Serial Port, Reset and a reset command will be sent to cancel the transfer to resume normal operation.

6 Troubleshoot Network Problems: If you are having trouble connecting the CNC File Transfer yo your network, verify the configuration with the network administrator. Be sure the CNC File Transfer box is plugged in and the power light is light. Serial Problems: If you are having trouble with the serial port, verify the serial port configuration with the CNC's serial configuration. Refer to the CNC manual for information on configuring the serial port for proper communications. The serial parameters for the CNC machine and the CNC File Transfer Box must match for proper operation. Select XMODEM transfers if the CNC machine supports this protocol. XMODEM verifies the data is transferred properly and detects and corrects for serial errors automatically. USB Problems: Use a USB Flash device that is 4 Gig or smaller for proper operation. Make sure the CNC file is the only file on the device and it is in the root of the USB device. Be sure the USB Flash device is formatted for FAT32 file format.

7 Warranty Limited Warranty Interactive Instruments, Inc. warrants the CNC File Transfer Box against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from receipt by the end user. If Interactive Instruments, Inc. receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, Interactive Instruments will either, at its option, repair or replace products which prove to be defective. Should Interactive Instruments be unable to repair or replace the product within a reasonable amount of time, customer's alternative exclusive remedy shall be a refund of the purchased price upon return of the product. If this product was purchased as part of a system in a coordinated shipment or as a system add-on, it is warranted against defects in material and workmanship during the same period as the system. Exclusions The above warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from: improper or inadequate maintenance by customer; customer-supplied software or interfacing; unauthorized modification or misuse; operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product; or improper site preparation and maintenance.

8 Specifications Box Dimensions 2.5 X X Humidity: 0 to 90% (non-condensing) Temp Range -20 C to +70 C Wall Transformer Power 110V 60 Hz, 50 ma Power In 8-30VDC at 500 ma Serial Parameters BAUD Rate 110, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, , , , Parity Odd, Even, None Transfer Bits 5, 6, 7, 8 Stop Bits 1, 2 Protocols XMODEM, XON/XOFF Maximum Serial Transfer Size 16 Meg files Max Serial Out Pins 2 Receive (RXD) 3 Transmit (TXD) 5 Ground (GND) Network Network 10, 100 Mbps

9 Table of Contents CNC File Transfer Box...1 Connecting the CNC File Transfer...1 CNC Transfer Program...1 Configuring the CNC File Transfer Box...2 Network Configuration...2 DHCP vs. Static Network...3 Serial Port Configuration...4 XON/XOFF Protocol...4 XMODEM Protocol...4 Sending files over the Network...5 Sending files by USB flash memory...5 Transfer Status...5 Serial Transfer Reset...5 Troubleshoot...6 Network Problems:...6 Serial Problems:...6 USB Problems:...6 Warranty...7 Specifications...8