Q: How do I add a new CNC to Predator DNC?

A: To add a CNC to Predator DNC, a few items are required.

1. Available Serial Port
2. Available DNC License
3. Make and Model of the CNC Control
4. Copy Existing / Similar or Sample PXP

Begin by confirming you have an available serial port on the Predator DNC Hub or PC. Take note of where the new RS232 cable will connect (port number and hub).

Check the Windows Control Panel | Device Manager to determine the port number and communication port. If installed by SFA, the system will begin at COMM 5 = Port 1; COMM6 = Port 2. The exact settings can be determined by reviewing the Multiport Serial Adapter from the Device Manager.

Determine the number of CNCs currently configured in the DNC Networking System. If the number of CNC exceeds the current DNC License, a license upgrade will be required. While in the DNC Software, select HELP | ABOUT for the current license purchased, ie. DNC/8.

If a license is available, then proceed.

Launch the Predator DNC Administrator if not currently in this mode. Select Command | Cancel All. Next, find a similar CNC / Machine in your current PXP. Select the CNC with your mouse, right click, select {COPY}. Select the Predator Red Gear at the top of the Predator Software, right click and select {Paste}. This creates a copy of the existing machine. Modify this copied CNC to match the Communication Port number as well as the baud rate, parity, and stop bits. The machine directory and any other features can be modified by using the Predator Wizard.

Keywords: Add CNC, Modify CNC, Additional CNC,

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Q: Where did RS232 come from?

A: In the early 1960s, a standards committee, today known as the Electronic Industries Association, developed a common interface standard for data communications equipment. At that time, data communications was thought to mean digital data exchange between a centrally located mainframe computer and a remote computer terminal, or possibly between two terminals without a computer involved. These devices were linked by telephone voice lines, and consequently required a modem at each end for signal translation. While simple in concept, the many opportunities for data error that occur when transmitting data through an analog channel require a relatively complex design. It was thought that a standard was needed first to ensure reliable communication, and second to enable the interconnection of equipment produced by different manufacturers, thereby fostering the benefits of mass production and competition. From these ideas, the RS232 standard was born. It specified signal voltages, signal timing, signal function, a protocol for information exchange, and mechanical connectors.

NOTE: If a proprietary or special high speed transfer method is required by the CNC control the customer may have to be upgraded to Predator DNC. Unlike the editor, Predator DNC is designed to support proprietary and special high speed transfer methods. Refer to our DNC Objects section for more details.

Keywords: rs232 editor

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Q: How do I use my RS232 tester?

A: Shop Floor Automations ships a DB25 RS232 tester with every hardware order. We terminate our RS232 cabling with RJ-45 connectors and have different adapters to tailor to each installation. Depending on your machine you may require different pin-outs on the adapters. To test the correct pin-out in the cabling":

1. Connect the cable to the PC, Hub, or switch box.
2. At the other end of the cabling, where the control would normally plug in, connect the tester. With out the tester plugged in the machine, you should see have "RD" lit and "TD" unlit.
   
   Note - For most applications, the other lights do not matter.
   
   
3. If you plug the tester into the CNC machine control, you should then see "TD" lit.

If you have any variation of this, your machine will not communicate properly.

Keywords: RS232, Tester, Cable, RD, TD

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Q: Why isn't my USB to serial adapter working?

A: With the release of Windows XP and computer manufactures only installing USB ports, users are finding that a USB to serial adapter is the only solution they have to try to communicate to their CNC machine. The truth be known, many off-the-shelf manufacturers of USB to serial adapters are not 100% compatible and communication to the CNC machine is unreliable, slow, or only limited to one way transmission.

For laptops the solution is to use a PCMCIA to serial adapter which has better support for control over the Microsoft Comm Driver. Many of our customers have used the PCMCIA card to serial and resolved this technical issue. We are pleased to provide appropiate and supported hardware:

Serial PCMCIA cards

While desktop machines are less likely to ship without serial ports, it is becoming more common, especially with slim form factor machines. Add in PCI serial port cards are still very common and a very cost effective way to upgrade these machines with physical COM ports. Visit your favorite local computer store and ask for a PCI serial card.

Keywords: USB serial RS232 laptop desktop pc COM ports

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Q: Can I make my own Grizzly Cable?

A: Sure, but it may not be worth the effort in research, soldering, testing, and cost of parts. The cable is sensitive to interference and signal loss, and is carefully engineered, manufactured and tested.
Furthermore, your time is valuable and you have better things to do!

Keywords: Grizzly Cable, RS232 Cable, Cat5 Cable, Ethernet Cable

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Q: How is RS232 cabling pinned out and what does each pin do?

A: The number preceding each signal name corresponds to the pin number defined in the standard.

DB9

1. Received Line Signal Detect (Carrier Detect)
2. Received Data
3. Transmitted Data
4. Data Terminal Ready
5. Signal Ground
6. Data Set Ready
7. Request to Send
8. Clear To Send
9. Ring Indicator

DB25

1. Protective Ground
2. Transmitted Data
3. Received Data
4. Request to Send
5. Clear To Send
6. Data Set Ready
7. Signal Ground
8. Received Line Signal Detect (Carrier Detect)
9. +P (for testing only)
10. -P (for testing only)
11. (unassigned)
12. Secondary Received Line Signal Detect
13. Secondary Clear To Send
14. Secondary Transmitted Data
15. Transmission signal element Timing
16. Secondary Received Data
17. Receiver Signal Element Timing
18. (unassigned)
19. Secondary Request To Send
20. Data Terminal Ready
21. Signal Quality Detector
22. Ring Indicator
23. Data Signal Rate Selector
24. Transmitter Signal Element Timing
25. (unassigned)

Keywords: RS232 pins pin out pinned

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Q: What is ASCII?

A: ASCII is the most common format for text files in computers and on the Internet. In an ASCII file, each alphabetic, numeric, or special character is represented with a 7-bit binary number (a string of seven 0s or 1s). 128 possible characters are defined. UNIX and DOS-based operating systems (except for Windows NT) use ASCII for text files. Windows NT uses a newer code, Unicode. IBM's System 390 servers use a proprietary 8-bit code called EBCDIC. Conversion programs allow different operating systems to change a file from one code to another.

ASCII was developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A chart of ASCII characters and their decimal or hexidecimal equivalent can be found here (courtesy of asciitable.com)

Keywords: ASCII RS232 ANSI

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Q: How is RS232 different from Parallel?

A: Most IBM PC and compatible computers are typically equipped with two serial ports and one parallel port. Although these two types of ports are used for communicating with external devices, they work in different ways.

A parallel port sends and receives data eight bits at a time over 8 separate wires. This allows data to be transferred very quickly; however, the cable required is more bulky because of the number of individual wires it must contain and cable distances are generally very short. Parallel ports are typically used to connect a PC to a printer and are rarely used for much else. A serial port sends and receives data one bit at a time over one wire. While it takes eight times as long to transfer each byte of data this way, only a few wires are required. In fact, two-way (full duplex) communications is possible with only three separate wires - one to send, one to receive, and a common signal ground wire.

Keywords: RS232 parallel

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Q: What is RS232?

A: The RS-232-C interface was developed for a single purpose. This purpose is stated by its title:

"Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Communications Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange."

Every word in the title is significant: it describes the interface between a terminal (DTE) to a modem (DCE) for the transfer of serial data.

Short for Recommended Standard-232C, a standard interface approved by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) for connecting serial devices. In 1987, the EIA released a new version of the standard and changed the name to EIA-232-D. And in 1991, the EIA teamed up with Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and issued a new version of the standard called EIA/TIA-232-E. Many people, however, still refer to the standard as RS-232C, or just RS-232.

Almost all modems conform to the EIA-232 standard and most personal computers have an EIA-232 port for connecting a modem or other device. In addition to modems, many display screens, mice, and serial printers are designed to connect to an EIA-232 port. In EIA-232 parlance, the device that connects to the interface is called a Data Communications Equipment (DCE) and the device to which it connects (e.g., the computer) is called a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE).

The EIA-232 standard supports two types of connectors, a 25-pin D-sub type connector (DB25) and a 9-pin D-sub type connector (DB9). The type of serial communications used by PCs requires only 9 pins so either type of connector will work equally well.

Although EIA-232 is still the most common standard for serial communication, the EIA has recently defined successors to EIA-232 called RS-422 and RS-423. The new standards are backward compatible so that RS-232 devices can connect to an RS-422 port.

Keywords: RS232

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Q: What are the most common cable problems?

A:

Connecting pin one (earth ground) at both ends

This creates a giant antena, earth ground should only be connected at one end and generally at the device that is most grounded.

Using CAT5 cabling

While CAT5 cable will work for RS232 comunications, it is not designed for that application. CAT5 cable is twisted pair cabling for ethernet.

Cable is not properly jumpered at CNC end

Most CNCs will require jumpering of some sort. Most common is for pins 4 & 5 plus pins 6, 8 & 20.

Using unshielded cable

Unshielded cable should never be used in a machine shop environment.

Twisted pair cabling not properly balanced

If you use twisted pair, pins 2 and 3 can not be on the same pair. It is also recommended that you ground the other half of the pair for pins 2 and 3.

Cable with too few wires

Most CNCs will only need TD, RD and SG, but some will require hardware handshaking and thus require more wires.

Improper positioning of cable

Do not strap RS232 cabling to electrical conduit in the shop.

Incorrectly pinning out a DB9 to DB25 cable or adapter

See the chart above, note that pins 2 & 3 are opposite from DB9 to DB25.

For the best solution to your cabling problems click here

Keywords: CAT5 cable cabling RS232 problems

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Q: How are Grizzly Cables shielded?

A: Grizzly Cables have four layers of shielding. First, each wire is individually shielded with a polypropylene jacket. Second, an aluminum foil wraps around all of the pairs. Third, a metal braid shield is wrapped around the foil. Finally a thick but flexible PVC jacket is wrapped around the metal braid. The quality and strength of the shielding included with Predator Grizzly cables protect your data from RF noise and electrical interferences

Keywords: RS232 Shield, Grizzly Cable, RS232

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Q: Is the Grizzly Cable just a simple Ethernet/Cat5 cable?

A: No. A Cat5 cable is typically un-shielded, a balanced signal and uses different wiring for a computer vs a CNC control. The Grizzly Cable is shielded, with an ultra low capacitance, uses un-balanced signals and wired for RS232 signals. CAT5 cables are unreliable, able to pick up RF noise very easily and have limitations regarding baud rate when running beyond RS232 specificiations.

Keywords: Grizzly Cable, Ethernet Cable, Cat5 Cable, RS232 Cable

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