Topic: Auto port configuration

By: BrianM

Posted on: Aug 12 2010 at 08:04:01 PM

Appreciate your help.
Fanuc OMD controller. Parameters set and cable wired as per DNCSETUP.COM/fanucom.html.
Initial TX parameters of 2400, 7, E, 1 with block delay > 100 ms. PC FIFO buffer disabled. Belkin F5U409 USB to serial converter apparently installed correctly on COM4.

This setup appears to communicate perfectly CNC to PC but in any combination of settings I try to send from the PC to the CNC I receive the dreaded "Error 85".

I attempted auto port set-up with no success. The selected program downloads correctly to the auto port configuration data window. After program download from CNC to PC the parameters settings quickly place a tick on the first line against RTS/CTS after that the program goes into an endless search for data rate.

Any suggestions please?

By: Support,

Posted on: Aug 12 2010 at 08:32:56 PM

On fanuc if you can see the fanuc is 2400 7,e,1 then just set easyDnc to the same settings. Don't bother with auto/portscan.

Does the alarm 85 happen when drip feeding (Tape mode) or when sending data for storage in cnc memory. When storing into cnc memory I wouldn't expect such an error especially low speed as 2400.

But when drip feeding such errors can happen at any baud rate if flow control isn't working too well.

Ignore the RTS/CTS - most fanucs don't actually have a flow control option - they'll use RTS/CTS quite happily when sending receiving data to/from memory but when drip feeding they only use xon/xoff so set XonXoff flow control in easyDnc setup.

By: BrianM,

Posted on: Aug 12 2010 at 09:01:23 PM

Thanks for the reply.

This is a new machine to me and I am still investigating my options so presently I am simply trying to load a short program from the PC into CNC memory. Your program is attractive because of the block delay capability and I am working with a recent trial download.

The CNC parameters I am using are from your datasheet. Parameter 2 to 00000001 and 552 to 9. TV=0, ISO=1, 1/O=0.I have tried various other DNC programs but I reset all of the parameters I was required to change back to the manufacturer's settings. In case it helps, parameter 38 is presently 10000100, parameter 51 is 00000001 and parameter 55 is 00000000.

Which Xon/Xoff setting of the three available would you recommend? Would you confirm that 2400, 7, E, 1 is a good place to start with the Fanuc OMD?

I am disturbed that some other instructions do not even emphasize that bit0 of a data string is the one on the right of the group and it seems my CNC was originally setup wrong but the old owner had no problems ??????????

By: BrianM,

Posted on: Aug 13 2010 at 04:39:15 AM

Having played with my new laptop unsuccessfully I was considering options for getting hold of a real RS232 port in a hurry. Going to the effort of hauling a desktop system from the office to the shop did not seem like an inviting idea.

Well, there are some advantages to being a pack-rat. I remembered I had seen a very old laptop stored in the shop a while back so I dug it out. Bingo, an RS232 port. This computer still had the old, wide, printer port and only one (!!!) USB port. It booted beautifully into Windows 2000 Pro and -------- worked with EasyDNC from the first attempt. I reduced the block delay from 150 to 10 mSec and still no problems. Tomorrow I will try 4800 bps instead of the present 2400 and see what happens. I do not need the 4800 bps but it will be interesting to see how a, must be four or five generations old, laptop will work. By the way, auto-configure still did not work.

Moral of the story? I suppose it is that USB to serial converters are useless with some combinations of PCs and CNCs.

Thanks for your help.

Brian

By: Support,

Posted on: Aug 13 2010 at 05:18:43 PM

When talking binary the 8 bits are numbered 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 so yes, the right-most bit is bit # 0 and that's how they're numbered in the fanuc documentation.

Many of the bits don't have any affect so doing them the wrong way round doesn't always cause a problem - but it's obviously best if they're the right way round.

Parameter 38 is an option called FLKY. Specifies the use of Full Keyboard (whatever that means) Only bit
#3 (the 4th bit from the right) has any effect so your setting isn't doing anything. The fact you have bit #2 enabled suggests that somebody told somebody to "set bit 3" so they set the 3rd one.

I suppose you could set the real #3 if you want.

The fanuc has up to 4 I/O ports (RS232, Tape reader and a couple of others. Even if they don't exist they still have their parameters. Parameters 50 and 51 relate to ports 3 and 4. You probably don't have those so ignore 50 and 51 too. They're not doing anything.

Just start with the normal XonXoff. The other ones with the"Wait" allow you to hit the start button on easyDnc and then walk to the CNC and hit cycle start - usually used when drip feeding where you'd also enable the 'repeat' option in easyDnc and then you could just stand by the CNC hitting the cycle start button to repeat the same job over and over without having to go back to the computer.

So, just XonXoff will be fine Ignore the wait options till you have everything working.

Using a real com port instead of USB is always better. Flow control is handled by Windows - not by the DNC and windows is pretty bad at doing that - the large buffers in the USB port cause windows no end of problems. The real com port doesn't have such big buffers.

However, it might be a good idea to check that USB to see if it was even installed correctly - take a look at www.comdiag.com

I think we need to take a new look at that auto/port scan to make sure it's still current with modern operating systems/hardware.

Although we'd prefer you to use this forum for all your questions in case other people have a similar problem you can still email us any time you want support at easydnc.com

Topic: Auto port configuration

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