DNC Windows 95 Overview

Multi DNC Software

Multi-DNC for Windows 95/98/NT/XP is a 32 bit, multi-threaded communications and file management system capable of connecting from 2 to 96 CNC controls to a single PC. The DNC System runs under Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51 and Windows NT 4.0 . Single or multiple nodes of Multi-DNC are easily connected to CAD/CAM systems over Novell or Microsoft networks or to Unix using TCP/IP. Besides machine tool DNC communications, other shop floor data can be collected from shop terminals, bar code equipment or SPC systems.

Communication Features

Up to 96 Ports of Simultaneous communication Simultaneous communication sessions with up to 96 CNC machines from a single PC at speeds of up to 115,200 baud using the SIIG 4S Expander RS-232 board with Multi-DNC /2 for Windows and the Comtrol RocketPort boards for all of the other Multi-DNC modules.

"Star" DNC network configuration The DNC network is set up in a "Star" configuration, with each CNC directly connected to the central DNC computer, eliminating manual or electronic switch boxes, proprietary hubs or costly multiplexers.

Easy connections to LAN's and UNIX systems Several Multi-DNC for Windows nodes can be connected over PC-LAN networks such as Windows NT or Novell Netware to support larger installations. Direct connection to UNIX systems is over TCP/IP supported directly in Windows 95 and Windows NT.

Restart Allows the DNC operator to start a program from any point in the file. ie: tool breakage. Start up codes can be automatically inserted resulting in dramatic time savings.

Packets and Continuous DNC Multiple N/C programs can be assembled and sent in any order from 1 time to an infinite number of times for continuous DNC. These "Packets"can also be saved for future use, and an individual file within the packet can be edited for the number of times to send or it's position within the packet.

Remote Features

Remote uploads and downloads directly from the CNC control Remote mode is a unique feature that allows the CNC operator to upload, download, or run the CNC control in a direct ("drip feed") DNC mode right from the control itself without requiring any add-on hardware. Remote is very flexible; the files can be on the local DNC computer or on any network drive you have access to.

The CNC operator does this... To "get" a file at the CNC control, the CNC operator creates a simple 2-3 line Remote "Command" program that contains the name of the file within a comment line. The CNC operator then "punches" out this file and sets up the control to "read". Multi-DNC receives the file request, finds the file, and automatically sends it back to the CNC. To store files at the DNC computer, the CNC operator just punches the file and it is automatically named, saved, and stored in the correct folder.

Remote sends back Directory Listings The CNC operator can output a Remote "Command" program with the characters "RMTDIR" and the DNC system will send back a listing of all of the programs available for downloading in the form of a CNC program itself.

Remote uses "long" file names Remote fully supports 32 bit operating system "long": file names of up to 255 characters. DOS "Classic" 8.3 format file names still work too.

Remote gathers "other" data also Remote also allows you to capture data from the CNC control such as output from machine probes, tool offset data or any other output from CNC's with macro capabilities.

File Management Features

Passwords Password protection of up to 7 different Multi-DNC functions can be set up for individual users. For example, to guard against unauthorized editing of CNC programs or changing of machine setups.

Event Logs Multi-DNC keeps an on-going event log for every machine controller connected to the PC as well as an overall "System" event log. This information makes configuration and setup of the initial installation much easier. The data can be viewed off-line to examine machine tool performance & down-time and can be presented in a graphical format for managers. The data can also be used to highlight recurring problems so that you can quickly make effective decisions regarding upgrades or routine maintenance requirements, etc. The Event Log can be configured to automatically save itself to an archive and then clear out the "live" Event Log at user-specified intervals such as each day or week, this makes it easier to build an accurate historical view of your overall shop's communication activities on a daily or weekly basis.

Overall System Event Log DNC Software

Individual Machine Event Log for "Mill #1"

Long File Names 255 character file names are fully supported, no more DOS 8.3 limitations. User defined file types can be easily added by file extension to the operating system Registry, allowing double clicking in File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer for opening or printing the files.

The Editor Features

Virtual Memory Editor Very large N/C code programs (up to 64 MB) can be edited using virtual memory. The Virtual memory manager is fast: an 8MB N/C program (450,000 lines) is loaded and ready to edit in 10 seconds, and there are no artificial limitations to the number of lines in an N/C program.

Color Schemes User definable color schemes for different CNC Word Addresses makes editing easier. Use the supplied color schemes or create your own custom ones.

Auto Spacing Auto Spacing inserts spaces between CNC code "words" for easier editing. Quickly add spaces back into CNC programs received from machine tools which typically strip all spaces on output.

File Compare File Compare easily shows all of the changes between different revisions of CNC code programs. Proven programs can be compared back to the original CAM generated program for easy analysis of "actual " program requirements.

Integrated 3D Back plotting Displays CNC code and graphic wireframe tool path automatically linked together. Edit the CNC program and the picture automatically updates ! Graphics are supported using OpenGL standards with dynamic zoom, pan, and rotation. Partial toolpaths can be easily shown with a slider control to lessen the complexity of wireframe graphics. Rapid moves are shown as dashed lines and each tool shows as a different color

DNC Software

Projects Allows the linking of multiple CNC programs and other documents together to manage large jobs effectively. Besides CNC programs, Projects can also include .RTF files with embedded graphics.

Graphical Cut and Paste Multiple files can be open in the The Editor concurrently, and graphical Cut and Paste can easily swap blocks of N/C code between the open files.

Edit while communicating An active Editor window can be shrunk to an Icon to enable the viewing of the Machine Group and Operation screens. The size and type of fonts are selectable within The Editor for easier viewing of CNC code.

Global Search and Replace Global Search and Replace allows you to easily change selected or all occurences of a single code within a file, such as feed rates, tool numbers and speed codes.

Renumber Allows you to resequence the entire file or just a blocked section of code. You can also renumber by a user defined increment (1,5,10 etc.) and if needed it can wrap around at N9999 and start again at N1.

HELP! Context (F1) sensitive help is available throughout the DNC system. The 180 page users guide details the setup and usage of Multi-DNC and is also a valuable reference guide for connecting computers to CNC machine tools.

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Communication Features
Up to 96 Ports of Simultaneous communication	*Simultaneous* communication sessions with up to 96 CNC machines from a single PC at speeds of up to 115,200 baud using the SIIG 4S Expander RS-232 board with Multi-DNC /2 for Windows and the Comtrol RocketPort boards for all of the other *Multi-DNC* modules.
"Star" DNC network configuration	The DNC network is set up in a "Star" configuration, with each CNC directly connected to the central DNC computer, *eliminating* manual or electronic switch boxes, proprietary hubs or costly multiplexers.
Easy connections to LAN's and UNIX systems	*Several* Multi-DNC for Windows nodes can be connected over PC-LAN networks such as Windows NT or Novell Netware to support larger installations. *Direct connection to UNIX* systems is over TCP/IP supported directly in Windows 95 and Windows NT.
Restart	Allows the DNC operator to *start a program from any point in the file*. ie: tool breakage. Start up codes can be automatically inserted resulting in dramatic time savings.
Packets and Continuous DNC	*Multiple* N/C programs can be assembled and sent in any order from 1 time to an infinite number of times for *continuous DNC*. These "Packets"can also be saved for future use, and an individual file within the packet can be edited for the number of times to send or it's position within the packet.

Remote Features
Remote uploads and downloads directly from the CNC control	Remote mode is a unique feature that allows the CNC operator to upload, download, or run the CNC control in a direct ("drip feed") DNC mode *right from the control itself* without requiring any add-on hardware. Remote is very flexible; the files can be on the local DNC computer or on any network drive you have access to.
The CNC operator does this...	To "*get" a file at the CNC control, the CNC operator creates a simple 2-3 line Remote "Command" program that contains the name of the file within a comment line. The CNC operator then "punches" out this file and sets up the control to "read". Multi-DNC* receives the file request, finds the file, and automatically sends it back to the CNC. To *store* files at the DNC computer, the CNC operator just punches the file and it is automatically named, saved, and stored in the correct folder.
Remote sends back Directory Listings	The CNC operator can output a Remote "Command" program with the characters "*RMTDIR*" and the DNC system will send back a listing of all of the programs available for downloading in the form of a CNC program itself.
Remote uses "long" file names	Remote fully supports 32 bit operating system "*long*": file names of up to 255 characters. DOS "Classic" 8.3 format file names still work too.
Remote gathers "other" data also	Remote also allows you to *capture data* from the CNC control such as output from machine probes, tool offset data or any other output from CNC's with macro capabilities.

File Management Features
Passwords	Password protection of *up to 7 different* Multi-DNC *functions* can be set up for individual users. For example, to guard against unauthorized editing of CNC programs or changing of machine setups.
Event Logs	*Multi-DNC* keeps an on-going event log for every machine controller connected to the PC as well as an overall "System" event log. This information makes configuration and setup of the initial installation much easier. The data can be viewed off-line to examine machine tool performance & down-time and can be presented in a graphical format for managers. The data can also be used to highlight recurring problems so that you can quickly make effective decisions regarding upgrades or routine maintenance requirements, etc. The Event Log can be configured to automatically save itself to an archive and then clear out the "live" Event Log at user-specified intervals such as each day or week, this makes it easier to build an accurate historical view of your overall shop's communication activities on a daily or weekly basis.
Overall System Event Log
Individual Machine Event Log for "Mill #1"
Long File Names	255 character file names are fully supported, no more DOS 8.3 limitations. User defined file types can be easily added by file extension to the operating system Registry, allowing double clicking in File Manager or Windows 95 Explorer for opening or printing the files.

The Editor Features
Virtual Memory Editor	*Very large* N/C code programs (*up to 64 MB) can be edited using virtual memory. The Virtual memory manager is fast: an 8MB N/C program (450,000 lines) is loaded and ready to edit in 10 seconds*, and there are no artificial limitations to the number of lines in an N/C program.
Color Schemes	*User definable color schemes* for different CNC Word Addresses makes editing easier. Use the supplied color schemes or create your own custom ones.
Auto Spacing	*Auto Spacing* inserts spaces between CNC code "words" for easier editing. Quickly add spaces back into CNC programs received from machine tools which typically strip all spaces on output.
File Compare	*File Compare* easily shows all of the changes between different revisions of CNC code programs. Proven programs can be compared back to the original CAM generated program for easy analysis of "actual " program requirements.
Integrated 3D Back plotting	Displays CNC code and graphic wireframe tool path *automatically linked* together. Edit the CNC program and the picture automatically updates ! Graphics are supported using *OpenGL* standards with dynamic zoom, pan, and rotation. Partial toolpaths can be easily shown with a slider control to lessen the complexity of wireframe graphics. Rapid moves are shown as dashed lines and each tool shows as a different color

Projects	Allows the linking of multiple CNC programs and other documents together to *manage large jobs* effectively. Besides CNC programs, Projects can also include .RTF files with embedded graphics.
Graphical Cut and Paste	*Multiple files can be open* in the The Editor concurrently, and graphical Cut and Paste can easily swap blocks of N/C code between the open files.
Edit while communicating	An *active Editor window* can be shrunk to an Icon to enable the viewing of the Machine Group and Operation screens. The size and type of *fonts are selectable* within The Editor for *easier viewing* of CNC code.
Global Search and Replace	Global Search and Replace allows you to *easily change* selected or all occurences of a single code within a file, such as feed rates, tool numbers and speed codes.
Renumber	Allows you to resequence the *entire file or just a blocked section* of code. You can also renumber by a user defined increment (1,5,10 etc.) and if needed it can wrap around at N9999 and start again at N1.
HELP!	*Context (F1) sensitive help* is available throughout the DNC system. The 180 page users guide details the setup and usage of *Multi-DNC* and is also a *valuable reference guide* for connecting computers to CNC machine tools.