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CIMCO Edit V5 User Guide
c© 1991 - 2003 CIMCO Integration – June 27, 2005
II
CONTENTS III
Contents
1 Introduction 11.1 What is new in this version ofCIMCO Edit V5 . . . . . . . . 11.2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.3 License information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 Installation 9
3 Functions in CIMCO Edit 113.1 The File menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113.2 Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.3 The Edit menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.4 The NC Functions menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233.5 The Transmission menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313.6 The File compare menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323.7 Backplot Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343.8 Backplot Milling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373.9 The Setup menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.9.1 Menu items for setting up Machine Templates . . . . . 413.9.2 Menu items for toolbar behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.10 The Window menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413.11 The Help menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4 Editor Setup general 434.1 General Program Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.1.1 Editor settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444.1.2 Printer setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
5 Editor Setup File types 495.1 File types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
5.1.1 File types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495.2 Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505.3 Block Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
IV CONTENTS
5.4 Load/Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555.5 File compare settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585.6 Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605.7 Backplot turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.8 Backplot Milling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655.9 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
6 DNC-Max Client 716.1 DNC-Max Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716.2 Portlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
7 Plugins 777.1 Plugins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
8 NC-Base Database 798.1 The NC Base Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798.2 Search for programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
9 NC-Base Settings 899.1 Client Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899.2 User setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 939.3 Server settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 969.4 Machine Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999.5 Database Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069.6 Database Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
10 DNC settings 11110.1 Port Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11310.2 Receive settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11510.3 Transmit settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
11 Serial communication overview 11911.1 RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.1.1 RS-232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11911.1.2 RS-422 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11911.1.3 RS-485 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
11.2 RS-232 layout for 9 pin connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12111.3 RS-232 layout for 25 pin connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12111.4 Standard RS-232 serial cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12111.5 How to build a loopback device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
11.5.1 Loopback device for a 9-pin connector . . . . . . . . . 12211.5.2 Loopback device for a 25-pin connector . . . . . . . . 122
CONTENTS V
12 Using on-line help 12512.1 Using help in dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12512.2 Printing help information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
VI CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES VII
List of Figures
1.1 Two programs. File Compare Tool Box is floating . . . . . . 2
2.1 CIMCO Edit V5 setup program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.2 CIMCO Edit V5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 The file toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113.2 The File toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.3 The dialog Add program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.4 The editing toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.5 Mark/delete dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223.6 The NC toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233.7 Simple math functions dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243.8 Adjust feedrate dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263.9 Adjust spindle speed dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273.10 Rotate Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283.11 Mirror Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293.12 Offset/Tool compensation Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303.13 Translate Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313.14 The DNC send/receive toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323.15 The File Compare Toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333.16 The Backplot toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343.17 Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353.18 The Backplot toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373.19 Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.1 General setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434.2 Editor setup dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454.3 Printer setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
5.1 Dateitypen hinzufgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495.2 Color setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505.3 Block number configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535.4 Load/Save configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
VIII LIST OF FIGURES
5.5 File compare configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585.6 Machine type configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615.7 Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.8 Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665.9 Filetyp-specific print settings Konfigurations-Dialog . . . . . 68
6.1 DNC-Max client settings dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716.2 DNC-Max portlist settings dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
7.1 The Plugins dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
8.1 NC Base Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 818.2 Program Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828.3 Program search with customised search fields (example) . . . 828.4 File preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838.5 Add/remove columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848.6 NC Base Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
9.1 Client settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909.2 User setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 939.3 Add new user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949.4 The Server Settings dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 979.5 Machine Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009.6 Add a new machine group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1019.7 Rename machine group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1019.8 Add port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029.9 Associated files are stored in the same directory as the program
files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039.10 Associated files stored in a sub-directory of the directory where
the program file is stored. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049.11 Associated files stored where it is specified in Memo directory,
Tool list directory, and Setup sheet directory respectively. . . 1059.12 Database Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079.13 Database Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
10.1 DNC Setup dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11110.2 Basic port settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11310.3 Receive settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11510.4 Transmission setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
12.1 Click the question mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12512.2 The question cursor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12512.3 The pop-up information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12512.4 Help buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
LIST OF TABLES IX
List of Tables
11.1 9 pin RS-232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12111.2 25 pin RS-232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12111.3 Standard RS-232 serial cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
X LIST OF TABLES
1
IntroductionCongratulations on you purchase of CIMCO Edit V5. CIMCO Edit V5 is thelatest version in a long line of proven CNC editing solutions from CIMCOIntegration.
1.1 What is new in this version ofCIMCO EditV5
CIMCO Edit V5 includes a number of improvements over previous versions.
• New user interface.
The new user interface in CIMCO Edit V5 follows the latest standardsfor windows user interface design.
• Comprehensive on-line help.
Now everything you need to know about functions that was previouslycontained in the reference manuals is on-line and at your fingertips.Stumped on a function? The ? icon, the F1 key, or the Help buttonwill take you right to the information you need.
• Optimized editor engine.
The new optimized editor engine loads large files quickly, and withminimal memory usage.
• Flexible configuration.
Flexible configuration of colors, NC commands etc.
• Advanced standard protocol.
Advanced standard protocol allows you to communicate with multipleCNC’s simultaneously.
2 1. Introduction
1.2 Overview
• Purpose.
You can use CIMCO Edit V5 to make, change and check CNC-programsfor your CNC machines. If you have a serial communication line fromthe PC to the CNC machine, you can send and receive programs di-rectly. Even when working with other CNC-programs.
CIMCO Edit V5 is designed for editing CNC-programs. CIMCO EditV5 is able to distinguish between several different formats. ISO, APTand Heidenhain to name some.
Figure 1.1: Two programs. File Compare Tool Box is floating
• User interface.
CIMCO Edit V5 has a standard Windows user interface, having oneor more child windows for every open file. You can place the childwindows and the toolbars as you wish, but inside the main window.The functions in CIMCO Edit V5 can be activated through the dropdown menus or through the toolbars.
1.2. OVERVIEW 3
• Functions.
You can undo and redo (almost) all operations you have done since thefile was opened. You can find the position of a tool change, a spindlespeed change or feed rate change, or display the range of the X/Y/Zaxes.
If you are not sure if two CNC-programs are equal, the File Comparefunctions of CIMCO Edit V5 helps you to pinpoint the differences. TheFile Compare lets you choose two files, and they are put into a two-frame window. The differences are shown by coloring the line. You canstep through the files, stopping at each difference.
You can customize the colors used to display coordinates and NC com-mands, renumber block numbers, and add/remove spaces to increasereadability, or decrease program size/transmission time.
The DNC part of CIMCO Edit V5 lets you send and receive CNC-programs to your CNC machines in the workshop. The file can besent from a window in CIMCO Edit V5 or directly from the harddisk.The file transmission is done while you are working with other CNCprograms.
• Setup.
CIMCO Edit V5 offers you a lot of possibilities for you to control thebehaviour of the editor. The Setup window is divided into tabs: Gen-eral, Editor and Printing.
In the General tab the appearance of the windows is modified. Furtheryou can choose whether a file can be displayed in more than one windowand if alterations to a file inside CIMCO Edit V5 through anotherprogram should be indicated.
You can choose if you want scrollbars or not, and the speed of thekeyboard can be set in the Editor tab.
The appearance of the printed CNC-programs is controlled in the Printertab. Define a header and/or a footer. If you have a color printer, youmight mark the color option.
CIMCO Edit V5 has 5 different templates for different CNC machines.You can setup how the NC functions behave and how the NC codeappear in the editor window. The Find function in the Edit Menuneeds a definition of Tool change, Feed rate change etc. This definitionis made here.
• Where to find further information.
4 1. Introduction
In The File menu in the reference manual all CIMCO Edit V5’s func-tions are described. A lot of functions can also be accessed through oneof the toolbars.
Chapter The Setup menu describes how the behavior of the editor ischanged.
The setup of Machine Types is described in Editor Setup File types.
If you need help on how to setup a serial communication line you canrefer to DNC settings and Serial communication overview.
The On-line help is accessible through the ? icon, the F1 key, or theHelp button. Chapter The Help menu gives you an introduction tothe On-line help.
1.3. LICENSE INFORMATION 5
1.3 License information
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and doesnot represent a commitment on the part of CIMCO Integration. The softwaredescribed in this document may be used or copied only in accordance withthe terms of the license. The purchaser may make one copy of the softwarefor a backup, but no part of this user manual may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic ormechanical, including photocopying and recording for any purpose other thanthe purchaser’s personal use, without prior written permission from CIMCOIntegration.
6 1. Introduction
TERMS OF USE FOR SOFTWARE - CIMCO Edit V5
Date: June 2000
Copyright 1991-2000 CIMCO Integration
Software: CIMCO Edit V5 4.x
Notice:
CIMCO Integration reserves the right to make improvements
to the CIMCO Edit V5 Software at any time and without notice.
Software License
You have the right to use the number of licenses of the
enclosed program, which you have bought from CIMCO
Integration. You may not distribute copies of the program
or related documentation to any persons or companies. You
may not modify or translate the program or related
documentation without the prior written consent of CIMCO
Integration.
Disclaimer of all Warranties and Liability
CIMCO Integration makes no warranties, either express or
implied, with respect to the software, its quality,
performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular
purpose. The entire risk as to its quality and performance
is with the buyer. Should the CIMCO Edit software prove
defective following its purchase, the buyer (and not CIMCO
Integration, its distributor, or its retailer) assumes the
entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, of correction
and any incidental or consequential damages. In no event will
CIMCO Integration be liable for direct, indirect, or
consequential damages resulting from any defect in the
software, even if CIMCO Integration has been advised of
the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or
liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
NOTICE: The accompanying software is confidential and proprietary toCIMCO Integration. No use or disclosure is permitted other than as ex-pressly set forth by written license with CIMCO Integration.
1.3. LICENSE INFORMATION 7
Copyright (c) 1991-2000 CIMCO Integration. All rights reserved.
THIS SOFTWARE CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ANDTRADE SECRETS OF CIMCO INTEGRATION. USE, DISCLOSURE, ORREPRODUCTION IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESSWRITTEN PERMISSION OF CIMCO INTEGRATION.
DNC-Max, CIMCO Edit, and the CIMCO Logo are trademarks of CIMCOIntegration.
Microsoft, Windows, Win32, Windows NT and are trademarks or registeredtrademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks oftheir respective holders.
8 1. Introduction
9
InstallationTo install CIMCO Edit V5 follow the instructions below.
1. Locate installation files.
If you received CIMCO Edit V5 on a CD-ROM open the CIMCO EditV5 directory on the CD. If you received CIMCO Edit V5 via e-mail,save the file in a temporary directory.
2. Run installation program.
Start the installation program by clicking on CIMCO Edit V5 setupprogram:
Figure 2.1: CIMCO Edit V5 setup program.
3. Copying your keyfile.
If you do not have a keyfile and wish to install an evaluation version,just proceed to the next step.
If you have received a keyfile, it should be copied to the CIMCOEditdirectory after the installation is completed.
4. Starting the editor for the first time.
When the installation is completed, and you have copied your keyfile,you are ready to start the editor for the first time. Click on the CIMCOEdit icon on you desktop.
Figure 2.2: CIMCO Edit V5
When the editor is started, verify that your company name is shown inthe Licensed to field in the about box, if not, you forgot to copy thekeyfile to the editor directory.
10 2. Installation
Note: If you are running an evaluation version, the license name isDemo version.
11
Functions in CIMCO EditThe functions in CIMCO Edit V5 are accessible through the dropdownmenus. A lot of the functions in the dropdown menus can also be accessedfrom buttons in toolbars. If a function can be executed through a toolbar,the actual icon will be shown.
3.1 The File menu
In this chapter opening, saving and printing files are described. The functionsare listed in the same order as in the File drop down menu. If the functioncan be activated through the File Toolbar or a keyboard shortcut, the iconor the keystroke will be shown next to the command name.
Figure 3.1: The file toolbar.
• New / / Ctrl-N
An empty window will be opened, ready for input. Set the machine
type for the program by selecting from the list in .
• Open / / Ctrl-O
The open file dialog window lets you open an existing program.
• Close / Ctrl-F4
Close current window. You will be prompted to save changes if the filehas been modified.
• Close All
Closes all open windows. You will be prompted to save changes for allmodified files.
• Save / / Ctrl-S
Saves the current CNC-program.
12 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Save As
Saves the current CNC-program under a new name.
• Save All /
Saves all the open CNC-programs under their current names.
• Print /
Prints the current CNC-program. This icon is on the Edit toolbar.
If you want to print a part of a program, mark the area of interest andchoose Print.
• Printer Setup
The dialog window for printout configurations is opened. Please referto The Setup menu.
• Recent /
A list of recently used files. Click the down arrow next to the Openicon, to open recently used files.
• Exit / Alt-F4
Exit CNC-Edit. If there are files open, which have not been saved, youwill be prompted to save the files.
3.2 Database
This section describes the functions of the database. The database is op-tional and will be present in the Editor menu only if you also purchased thedatabase.
All functions can be called from the toolbar or the Database Menu.Somefunctions also have keyboard short cuts assigned. These are shown next tothe commands, along with the toolbar icons.
Figure 3.2: The File toolbar.
• Explorer / / Ctrl-E
Opens the database window.
3.2. DATABASE 13
A dialog will appear to let you log into the database.Enter your UserName and Password in the corresponding fields and close the dialog byclicking the OK button.
Further information on User Rights is found under User setup.
• Add Program /
Add a program to the database.
This means importing to the database an already existing programfrom anywhere on your PC or from a PC on your network.
Notice: You can also use drag-and-drop to import files to the data-base or to move or copy associated files within the database from oneprogram group to another, providing that Disable file dragging andDisable drop files are NOT checked in Client Settings.
Further information on settings for the drag-and-drop function is foundunder Client Settings
To add a program, select Database, Add Program or click on thecorresponding toolbar icon. Select a program in the menu Add Programand click on Open. The following dialog appears:
Figure 3.3: The dialog Add program
14 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
– Program fileSelect the program file to be added to the database. Click on thefolder icon to find the file.
– ProgramEnter a name for the program. Click on the lock icon to the rightto toggle the program locked/unlocked.
– Machine GroupSelect a Machine Group from the drop down list to associate theprogram.Further information on Machine Groups is found underMachine Groups.
– CustomerTo associate the program with a customer, select the customerfrom the drop down menu. Click on the icon to the right to adda new customer to the database.
– Memo FileTo associate a Memo File with the program, select a Memo FileTemplate. If you do not select a Memo File Template and the Dis-able memo files lists in the Server Settings is not checked, theDefault Memo File Template will be associated with the program.Notice: The function Select Memo File Template is not shownin this dialog when ’Disable memo files lists’ is checked in Serversettings.Further information on settings for the Memo File Template isfound under Machine Groups
– Move program file to machine directory
– Leave copy of program file
– Tool ListTo associate a Tool List with the program, select a Tool List Tem-plate. If you do not select a Tool List Template and the DisableTool lists in the Server Settings is not checked, the Default ToolList Template will be associated with the program. Notice: Thefunction Select Tool List Template is not shown in this dialogwhen Disable Tool lists is checked in Server settings.Further information on settings for the Tool List Template is foundunder Machine Groups
– Set-Up SheetTo associate a Set-Up Sheet with the program, select a Set-UpSheet Template. If you do not select a Set-Up Sheet Template andthe Disable Set-Up Sheets in the Server Settings is not checked,
3.2. DATABASE 15
the Default Set-Up Sheet Template will be associated with theprogram. Notice: The function Select Set-Up Sheet Template isnot shown in this dialog when Disable Set-Up Sheets is checkedin Server settings.Further information on settings for the Set-Up Sheet Template isfound under Machine Groups
• Add Current Program /
Import to the Database the program that is currently open in the editor.
Further information on how to add a current program, see Add Pro-gram.
• Associate File(s) /
Associate files with programs in the database.
To associate a file with a program in the Database, select the cor-responding program in the NCBase Explorer Search List, then selectDatabase, Associate Files, or click on the corresponding icon. Selecta program in the dialog Associate file(s) with programs and clickon Open.
Notice: You can also use drag-and-drop to import files to the data-base or to move or copy associated files within the database from oneprogram group to another, provided that Disable file dragging andDisable drop file are NOT checked in Client Settings.
Further information on settings for the drag-and-drop function is foundunder Client Settings
• Edit /
Editing files.
To edit a program present in the database, highlight the program inthe NC-Base search window and select Database, Edit, or simplydouble-click on the program.
Any changes made to the program will be stored in the database onlywhen File, Save is selected.
• Program Information /
This is where you find all the information about each file in the data-base, information about program files, program names, machine groups,customers, and associated files, such as memo files, tool lists, set-upsheets, etc.
In this dialog you can rename a program and associate new machinegroups, customers, and memos/tool lists/set-up sheets.
16 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
Notice: This dialog resembles the dialog Add Program.
Further information on this function is found under Add Program inthis section.
If you have specified an optional text field, it is shown here. Furtherinformation on this function is found under Server settings.
To open the dialog ’Program Information’, select Database, ProgramInformation or click on the corresponding icon. If you want to modifythe program, enter the new values in the corresponding fields and clickModify.
• Compare /
Compares two files.
Highlight both files and select Database, Compare, or click on thecorresponding icon.
More about the File Compare function under The File compare menu.
• Delete /
Deletes selected programs and or associated files.
To delete one or more programs or files, highlight the program(s) orfile(s) and select Database, Delete, or click on the corresponding icon.Notice: If you delete a program, all associated files (NC program, Set-up sheet, images, etc.) will be deleted with it.
• Undelete /
Restores deleted programs.
To restore one or more deleted programs, you first select Database,Find Deleted, whereupon all deleted programs will be shown in theNCBase Search Window.
Highlight the deleted program(s) to be restored and select Database,Undelete, or click on the corresponding icon.
• Backup /
Produces a backup of the highlighted program.
To make a backup, highlight the program and select Database, Backup,or click on the corresponding icon.
• Restore /
Restore a program from a backup.
To restore a program from a backup, highlight the program and selectDatabase, Restore, or click on the corresponding icon. The followingdialog will appear:
3.2. DATABASE 17
– HelpClick here to get more information on the Restore function. .
– Purge AllPurges all previous backups of this program.
– CompareCompares the highlighted backup with the current program.Click on this button to compare the highlighted backup with thecurrent program.More about the file compare function under The File comparemenu.
– PurgePurges the highlighted program backup.
– RestoreClick on this button to restore the data of the highlighted programbackup.
• Restore Latest /
Restores the program from the most recent backup
To restore the data from the most recent backup, highlight the programand select Database, Restore Latest, or click on the correspondingicon.
18 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Compare With Latest Backup /
Compares the current, highlighted program with the most recent backup.
Highlight the program and select Database, Compare With LatestBackup, or click on the corresponding icon.
More about the file compare function under The File compare menu.
• Lock /
Locks programs.
To lock a program, highlight it and select Database, Lock, or clickon the corresponding icon.
• Unlock /
Unlocks programs.
To unlock a program, highlight it and select Database, Unlock, orclick on the corresponding icon.
• Approve /
Marks an imported program as approved.
To approve a program, highlight it and select Database, Approve, orclick on the corresponding icon.
• Reject Imported File /
Marks an imported file as rejected.
To reject programs, highlight the programs in question and select Data-base, Reject Imported File , or click on the corresponding icon.
• Send /
Send program.
To send a program, highlight it and select Database, Send, or clickon the corresponding icon.
• Add Customer /
Adds a new customer to the database.
To add a new customer, select Database, Add Customer, or clickon the corresponding icon. The following dialog appears:
3.2. DATABASE 19
Enter the customers data in the corresponding fields and close the di-alog by clicking on Add. If you want to exit without entering data,click on Cancel.
• Modify Customer /
Modify customer data.
To modify customer data, select Database, Modify Customer, orclick on the corresponding icon. A dialog appears, which resembles theAdd Customer dialog, although with the title Modify Customer.
Select a customer in the drop down menu Customer, enter your changesin the corresponding fields and close the dialog by clicking on Modify.If you want to exit without entering data, click on Cancel.
• Delete Customer /
Delete customer data.
To delete customer data, select Databasek, Delete Customer, orclick on the corresponding icon. A dialog appears, which resembles theAdd Customer dialog, although with the title Delete Customer.
Select a customer in the drop down menu Customer and close thedialog by clicking on Delete. If you want to exit without enteringdata, click on Cancel.
• Find Unproven /
20 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
Displays a list in the NCBase Search Window of all unproven programs.
Select Database, Find Unproven, or click on the corresponding icon.
• Find Imported /
Displays a list in the NCBase Search Window of all imported programsawaiting approval.
Select Database, Find Imported, or click on the corresponding icon.
• Find Unlocked /
Displays a list in the NCBase Search Window of all unlocked programs.
Select Database, Find Unlocked, or click on the corresponding icon.
• Find Deleted /
Displays a list of all deleted programs in the NCBase Search Window.
Select Database, Find Deleted , or click on the corresponding icon.
• Find Modified Day /
Displays a list in the NCBase Search Window of all programs modifiedwithin the last 24 hours.
Select Database, Find Modified Day, or click on the correspondingicon.
• Find Modified Week /
Displays a list in the NCBase Search Window of all programs modifiedwithin the last 7 days.
Select Database, Find Modified Week, or click on the correspond-ing icon.
• Logon /
A window appears, letting you log on to the database.
Select Database, Logon, or click on the corresponding icon.
More about User-/Administrator permissions under User setup.
• Logoff /
Logs you off the database.
Select Database, Logoff, or click on the corresponding icon.
More about User-/Administrator permissions under User setup.
3.3. THE EDIT MENU 21
• Dynamic Program Preview /
Toggles the preview of program files in the lower left corner on and off.
To enable the preview, select Database, Dynamic Program Pre-view , or click on the corresponding icon.
• Setup /
Lets you configure the database.
To configure the database, select Database, Setup, or click on thecorresponding icon.
3.3 The Edit menu
In this chapter the ordinary text editing functions are described. If thefunction can be activated through the Edit Toolbar or a keyboard shortcut,the icon or the keystroke will be shown next to the command name.
Figure 3.4: The editing toolbar.
A part of the text is marked by dragging the cursor from start point to endpoint, while pressing the left mouse button. The background color on themarked text is changed to indicate the selected area.
• Undo / / Ctrl-Z
Undo the last operation.
• Redo / / Ctrl-Y
Redo the last undo operation. You can redo all undo actions performedsince the file was last opened.
• Cut / / Ctrl-X
Delete the selected text and save it on the clipboard.
• Copy / / Ctrl-C
Copies the selected text to the clipboard.
• Paste / / Ctrl-V
Paste the contents of the clipboard (whatever was cut or copied asabove) at the current cursor position.
22 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Del / / Del
Deletes the selected part of the CNC-program.
To move a part of a program, select the section of the program youwish to move, then Cut it, move the cursor and use the Paste functiondescribed above.
• Mark/Delete range
In this dialog window you can specify a range of lines or block numbers,to be marked or deleted.
Figure 3.5: Mark/delete dialog box
• Goto line/Block number Ctrl-J
Jump to block or line number.
• Select all Ctrl-A
Selects the entire CNC-program.
• Find Ctrl-F
In the appearing dialog box you can specify a text string and search forit through the CNC-program. You can choose one of the defined tooloperations instead of a text string.
• Find next F3
Finds the next occurrence of the specified search string in the CNC-program.
• Find previous Shift-F3
Finds the previous occurrence of the specified search string in the CNC-program.
3.4. THE NC FUNCTIONS MENU 23
• Replace
Replaces a specified string in the CNC-program with another string.Specify the search string and the substitute string in the dialog box.
• Insert file
Inserts a file at the cursor position.
• Append file
Appends a file at the end of the current CNC-program.
3.4 The NC Functions menu
This chapter describes the functions concerning the appearance of the CNC-program. For instance the commands and the block numbers can be changed.If the function can be activated through the NC Toolbar an icon is shownnext to the command name.
Figure 3.6: The NC toolbar.
• Insert block numbers / / Ctrl-T
Inserts block numbers in the CNC-program (or renumber the blocknumbers if some already exist in the CNC-program).
• Remove block numbers /
Deletes all block numbers from the CNC-program.
• Remove Whitespaces /
Deletes all the space characters and tab signs from the CNC-program(whitespace characters).
• Insert Whitespace /
Inserts space characters between the commands in the CNC-program,where there is no space character between two commands. Existingspace characters are left as they are.
• Uppercase
Changes the case of the text to uppercase.
24 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Lowercase
Changes the case of the text to lowercase.
• Next Tool change /
Finds the next tool change in the CNC-program.
• Previous Tool change /
Finds the previous tool change in the CNC-program.
• Find X/Y/Z Ranges
Finds the highest and lowest values for X, Y, Z, A, B, C, F, and S inthe CNC-program.
• Simple math functions
Performs simple mathematical functions on the chosen NC file parame-ters.
Figure 3.7: Simple math functions dialog
– Parameter(s)Check the fields of the parameters to be changed.
– OtherCheck this field to enter parameters with more than one character.
3.4. THE NC FUNCTIONS MENU 25
– UPPER/lower caseUse this field to specify UPPER and/or lower case of the parame-ters to be changed.
– Addition / /Adds the specified value to all selected parameters.
– Subtraction / /Subtracts the specified value from all selected parameters.
– Multiplication / /Multiplies all selected parameters by the specified value.
– Division / /Divides all selected parameters by the specified value.
– ValueEnter the value to be inserted in the mathematical functions (Ad-dition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division) in this field.
– Maximum valueEnter the maximum value in this field. Parameters with valueshigher than specified here will not be altered by the math func-tions.
– Minimum valueEnter the minimum value in this field. Parameters with valueslower than specified here will not be altered by the math functions.
– DecimalsIn this field, enter the number of decimals to the right of thedecimal point.
– Keep decimalsCheck this field to provide the new value with the same numberof decimals as the original value.
– Strip trailing 0’sCheck this field to remove all zeros from the end of the number.
– Strip leading 0’sCheck this field to remove all zeros from the beginning of thenumber.
– Selection onlyCheck this field to change the value of the selected program blockonly.
26 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Adjust feedrate
In this dialog it is possible to adjust the feedrate of the active program.To do this, click and drag the pointer, or click on the sliding bar of thepointer, or enter the new feedrate in the field New feedrate (see thefollowing in this section). Click cancel to close this window withoutany changes taking effect.
Figure 3.8: Adjust feedrate dialog
– New feedrate
In this field the percentage with which the feed rate should bechanged is entered.
– Minimum value
Enter the minimum feedrate into this field.
– Maximum value
Enter the maximum feedrate into this field.
– Decimals
Enter number of decimals to the right of the decimal point intothis field.
– Selection only
Check this field to alter the feedrate in the selected program blocksonly.
• Adjust spindle speed
In this dialog the spindle speed of the active program is adjusted. clickand drag the pointer, or click on the sliding bar of the pointer, orenter the new spindle speed in the field New spindle speed (see thefollowing in this section). Click Cancel to close this window withoutany changes taking effect.
3.4. THE NC FUNCTIONS MENU 27
Figure 3.9: Adjust spindle speed dialog
– New spindle speed
Enter into this field the percentage with which the spindle speedshould be changed.
– Minimum value
Enter the minimum spindle speed here.
– Maximum value
Enter the maximum spindle speed here.
– Decimals
Enter the number of decimals to the right of the decimal pointhere.
– Selection only
Check this field to change the spindle speed in the selected pro-gram blocks only.
• Rotate
In this dialog you can rotate the outline around a specified point andwith a specified angle. Click Cancel to close this window without anychanges taking effect.
28 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
Figure 3.10: Rotate Dialog
– Point (X,Y)
Enter the co-ordinates of the center of the rotation in these fields.
– Angle
Enter the angle of rotation by degrees in this field.
– ARC type
Specifies the arc type. You can choose between Auto detect,Relative to start, Relative to end, and Absolute arc center.Auto detect is default.
– Decimals
Enter into this field the number of decimals to the right of thedecimal point.
– Strip trailing 0’s
Check this field to remove all zeros from the end of the number.
– Comma as decimal symbol
Check this field to use a comma as a decimal separator.
– Assume G91
Check this field when the control is preset for relative co-ordinates.
• Mirror
In this dialog you can mirror the outline around a specified line. ClickCancel to close this window without any changes taking effect.
3.4. THE NC FUNCTIONS MENU 29
Figure 3.11: Mirror Dialog
– Point (X,Y)Enter into these fields the co-ordinates of the point of the mirroraxis .
– AngleEnter into this field the angle of rotation by degrees of the mirroraxis.
– ARC typeSpecifies the arc type. You can choose between Auto detect,Relative to start, Relative to end, and Absolute arc center.Auto detect is default.
– DecimalsEnter into this field the number of decimals to the right of thedecimal point.
– Strip trailing 0’sCheck this field to remove all zeros from the end of the number.
– Comma as decimal symbolCheck this field to use a comma as a decimal separator.
– Assume G91Check this field when the control is preset for relative co-ordinates.
• Offset/Tool compensation
In this dialog you can define a tool compensation for the active program(offset left G41, offset right G42).
30 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
Figure 3.12: Offset/Tool compensation Dialog
– OffsetEnter the offset value into this field.
– Offset Left (G41)Enables compensation of the milling path, offset left (G41).
– Offset right (G42)Enables compensation of the milling path, offset right (G42).
– ARC typeSpecifies the arc type. You can choose between Auto detect,Relative to start, Relative to end, and Absolute arc center.Auto detect is default.
– DecimalsEnter into this field the number of decimals to the right of thedecimal point.
– Strip trailing 0’sCheck this field to remove all zeros from the end of the number.
– Comma as decimal symbolCheck this field to use a comma as a decimal separator.
– Assume G91Check this field when the control is preset for relative co-ordinates.
• Translate
This dialog translates the outline. The outline is moved to a positionoffset by the values entered in the Translate (X,Y,Z) fields.
3.5. THE TRANSMISSION MENU 31
Figure 3.13: Translate Dialog
– Translate (X,Y,Z)Enter into these fields the X, Y, and Z values to offset the outline.
– ARC typeSpecifies the arc type. You can choose between Auto detect,Relative to start, Relative to end, and Absolute arc center.Auto detect is default.
– DecimalsEnter into this field the number of decimals to the right of thedecimal point.
– Strip trailing 0’sCheck this field to remove all zeros from the end of the number.
– Comma as decimal symbolCheck this field to use a comma as a decimal separator.
– Assume G91Check this field when the control is preset for relative co-ordinates.
• Convert Heidenhain to ISO
Converts 3D Heidenhain Programs to ISO-Programs.
• Stop a long operation /
Stops a long operation, such as renumbering a large file.
3.5 The Transmission menu
In this chapter the functions related to sending files to and from CNC-machines are described. The functions are reachable through the Trans-
32 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
mission toolbar. The toolbar is shown below, and every icon is showed nextto the command name.
Figure 3.14: The DNC send/receive toolbar.
Note: The editor must be licensed for DNC operations to use this toolbar.
• Send /
Transmits the current CNC-program to a selected machine.
• Receive /
Receives a CNC-program from a selected machine, opening it in a newwindow.
• Receive into current window /
Receives a CNC-program into the current window.
• Send File /
Transmits a file to a selected machine.
• Receive File /
Receives a CNC-program from a selected machine, saving it as a file.
• Status /
List the status of current transmissions and/or receptions.
• DNC Setup /
Configures the DNC settings in CNC-Edit.
3.6 The File compare menu
In this section the functions used to compare two files are described. Youstart a comparison of two files by choosing the files. The files are put into adouble framed window, and you can start the search for differences. To exitthe file compare window use the End File Compare menu item or button .
The functions can be activated through the Transmission toolbar. Somefunctions have a keyboard shortcut. The icons and the keystrokes are shownnext to the command name.
3.6. THE FILE COMPARE MENU 33
Figure 3.15: The File Compare Toolbar.
Note: The editor must be licensed for file compare to use this toolbar.
• Next difference / / Ctrl-down
Find the next difference.
• Previous difference / / Ctrl-up
Go to the previous difference.
• Synchronize left to right / / Ctrl-right
Synchronize current difference from the left to the right.
• Synchronize right to left / / Ctrl-left
Synchronize current difference from the right to the left.
• Goto first difference /
Go to first difference.
• Goto last difference /
Go to last difference.
• Compare with Window /
Compare the file in the current window with a file in another.
• Compare with File /
Compare the file in the current window with a file. The other file isopened through the open file dialog.
• Compare File with File /
Compare two files which are not already in a window. The files areopened using the open dialog.
• Setup /
The behavior of the File Compare functions are changed through theMachine Type settings.
To use single step through differences mark the ’Single line step’ option.
• Stopping file compare /
The File compare session is stopped and both files are left open.
34 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
3.7 Backplot Turning
This section describes the optional 3D/2D backplot function.
In the following, when the function can be executed both from the toolbarand a keyboard short cut, the corresponding icon and the key combinationwill be shown next to command. The backplot session is terminated by aclick on the button.
All functions can be executed from the toolbar. Some functions also havekeyboard short cuts. Icons and short cuts are shown next to the command.
Figure 3.16: The Backplot toolbar.
Notice: You need a backplot enabled licence key to use this function.
• Backplot window /
Splits the window in two, allowing the lines of the program file andtheir toolpath simulation to be shown simultaneously. This icon isactive only when a program file is already present.
• Backplot file /
Opens up a back plot window from an existing file without showing theprogram.
• Rotate view /
Click on this icon to rotate the view in any direction using click anddrag directly on the image.
• Zoom view /
Click on this icon to zoom in and out, using click and drag.
• Pan view /
Click on this icon to be able to move the image across the window withclick and drag.
• View reset /
Click on this icon for the default perspective view.
• View from top (XY/G17) /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the top.
3.7. BACKPLOT TURNING 35
• View from front (YZ/G19) /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the front.
• View from left /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the left.
• Show rapid moves /
Shows the paths of the tool when in rapid traverse.
• View arcs /
Highlights arcs so that they stand out from the straight lines.
• Show tool /
Toggles the tool image on and off.
• Setup /
This section describes how to configure backplot. The following dialogappears:
Figure 3.17: Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog
• Turning
Check this field to configure backplot turning.
36 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Diameter programming
Check this field to select diameter programming.
• Arc center is specified as diameter
Check this field to select diameter programming for Arc centers also (Icoordinate).
• Show plot as positive X/I
Check this field to show programs with negative X/I values above theZ-Axis line.
• Arc type
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Print Quality
Use this field to specify the printing quality. Higher quality looks better,but requires more time and memory to generate.
• Draw ’zero’ arcs
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Show cycles
Check this field to plot cycles.
• Animation speed
Controls the speed and direction of the animation play-back: Forward;Move control to the right. Back; Move control to the left.
• Move to start /
Moves back to the starting point.
• Move back /
Back-traces at slow speed.
• Single step back /
Goes back one step per click, one step being the equivalent of a programline.
3.8. BACKPLOT MILLING 37
• Pause /
Stops the animation at the step reached. Animation can be resumedby clicking any of the other control buttons.
• Single step forward /
Goes forward one step per click, one step being the equivalent of aprogram line.
• Move forward /
Starts the animation.
• Move to end /
Moves to the end of the program, presenting the static view of thecomplete toolpath.
3.8 Backplot Milling
This section describes the optional 3D/2D backplot function.
In the following, when the function can be executed both from the toolbarand a keyboard short cut, the corresponding icon and the key combinationwill be shown next to command. The backplot session is terminated by aclick on the button.
All functions can be executed from the toolbar. Some functions also havekeyboard short cuts. Icons and short cuts are shown next to the command.
Figure 3.18: The Backplot toolbar.
Notice: You need a backplot enabled licence key to use this function.
• Backplot window /
Splits the window in two, allowing the lines of the program file andtheir toolpath simulation to be shown simultaneously. This icon isactive only when a program file is already present.
• Backplot file /
Opens up a back plot window from an existing file without showing theprogram.
38 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Rotate view /
Click on this icon to rotate the view in any direction using click anddrag directly on the image.
• Zoom view /
Click on this icon to zoom in and out, using click and drag.
• Pan view /
Click on this icon to be able to move the image across the window withclick and drag.
• View reset /
Click on this icon for the default perspective view.
• View from top (XY/G17) /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the top.
• View from front (YZ/G19) /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the front.
• View from left /
Click on this icon to view the simulation from the left.
• Show rapid moves /
Shows the paths of the tool when in rapid traverse.
• View arcs /
Highlights arcs so that they stand out from the straight lines.
• Show tool /
Toggles the tool image on and off.
• Setup /
This section describes how to configure backplot. The following dialogappears:
:
3.8. BACKPLOT MILLING 39
Figure 3.19: Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog
• Milling
Check this field to configure backplot Milling.
• Tool Diameter
Use this field to specify the tool diameter.It is possible to specify thediameter as a fraction. Ex. 1/8.
• Tool type
Use this field to specify the tool type.
• Arc type
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Print Quality
Use this field to specify the printing quality. Higher quality looks better,but requires more time and memory to generate.
• Draw ’zero’ arcs
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
40 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Show cycles
Check this field to plot cycles.
• Animation speed
Controls the speed and direction of the animation play-back: Forward;Move control to the right. Back; Move control to the left.
• Move to start /
Moves back to the starting point.
• Move back /
Back-traces at slow speed.
• Single step back /
Goes back one step per click, one step being the equivalent of a programline.
• Pause /
Stops the animation at the step reached. Animation can be resumedby clicking any of the other control buttons.
• Single step forward /
Goes forward one step per click, one step being the equivalent of aprogram line.
• Move forward /
Starts the animation.
• Move to end /
Moves to the end of the program, presenting the static view of thecomplete toolpath.
3.9 The Setup menu
The setup is described in depth in the chapters The Setup menu and EditorSetup File types.
Setup menu items for CIMCO Edit in general
3.10. THE WINDOW MENU 41
• Global
Global settings. Please refer to section 4.1 for further information.
• Editor
Settings for the editor. Please refer to section 4.1.1 for further infor-mation.
3.9.1 Menu items for setting up Machine Templates
There is one set of settings for each machine template. Please refer to section5 for further information.
• Colors
Color settings, for highlighting specific commands, comments and se-lections.
• Block numbers
Settings for block numbering in the CNC-program.
• Machine templates
Settings for program syntax for the different machine templates.
3.9.2 Menu items for toolbar behavior
• Show Status Bar
Select, whether the status line is to be visible or not.
• Show Toolbars
Select which of the toolbars are to be visible.
3.10 The Window menu
This section describes how the sub-windows containing the CNC-programscan be arranged.
• Cascade
Places the open files in an overlapping cascade in the window.
42 3. Functions in CIMCO Edit
• Arrange
Assembles the icons of the minimized CNC-programs in the lower leftcorner of the window.
• Tile horizontally
Places the open files in horizontal editor windows in the program win-dow.
• Tile vertically
Places the open files in vertical editor windows in the program window.
3.11 The Help menu
The on-line help system is explained in Using on-line help.
• On-line help / F1
Open the on-line help file.
• About
Show information on CIMCO Edit V5 and CIMCO Integration.
43
Editor Setup generalThis section describes how to configure general CIMCO Edit settings.
4.1 General Program Settings
If you wish to change the program settings concerning the program in gen-eral, enter the Setup menu and click on the Global Setup. The generalconfiguration dialog is shown below:
Figure 4.1: General setup.
• Start maximized
When this field is checked CIMCO Edit V5 will always start maximized,i.e. filling up the whole screen.
44 4. Editor Setup general
• Remember window position
When this field is checked, the editor is given the same size and position,as the last time the editor was used.
• Open windows maximized
When this field is checked, edit windows will be opened maximized.
• Warning beeps
Check this field to use warnings beeps (switch this off for silent opera-tion).
• Protect read only files
Check this field to prevent read only files from being modified or edited.
• Check external changes
When this field is checked, the editor will check if a file is modifiedoutside the editor.
If a file is modified outside the editor, you will be notified. And youwill be asked if you want to reload the file. If you choose to do that,any changes made since the last save are lost.
• Open file multiple times
Check this field if you want to be able to open the same file in morethan one window in the editor.
• Language
Select the language to be used in menues and dialogs.
Note: Changing language will not have effect until the program isrestarted.
4.1.1 Editor settings
By clicking on the Editor in the Setup menu the Editor window will bedisplayed (see below). In this window you can configure the settings for theeditor.
4.1. GENERAL PROGRAM SETTINGS 45
Figure 4.2: Editor setup dialog
• Keyboard acceleration
Enables your cursor to move faster.
• Prompt when unable to undo
When this is active, you will be told when you are about to do some-thing (such as renumbering a large file) which cannot be undone. Ifthis is switched off, no such warning will appear.
• Vertical scroll bar
Enables a vertical scroll bar.
• Horizontal scroll bar
Enables a horizontal scroll bar.
• Use virtual space
Allows the cursor to move into space that currently contains no text.
• Backspace at start of line
Prevents that lines are joined by using the backspace key.
46 4. Editor Setup general
• Replace from top
Any search and replace options will automatically start from the be-ginning of the file.
• Replace tabs with space
Inserts spaces when the tab key is used, and replaces existing tabs withspaces when a file is opened.
• Show replaced count
Shows the number of strings that were replaced after the replace allfunction has been used.
• Pad with tabs
Uses tabs to fill in large empty spaces in virtual space. (Please refer toUse virtual space above.)
• Mark to end of line
If a whole line is selected, the indication continues across virtual spaceto the side of the window.
• Copy without selection
Enables you to copy the line at the cursor, without marking it as aselection.
• Font settings
Click Select font to change the font used in the editor window.
4.1.2 Printer setup
To change printer settings, choose Printer setup from the File menu. Theprinter configuration dialog is shown below:
4.1. GENERAL PROGRAM SETTINGS 47
Figure 4.3: Printer setup.
• Syntax highlight
Use Bold and Italic to highligt NC commands and comments.
• Use colors
Enables color printouts. This requires a color printer.
• Print headers
Prints headers on every page.
• Print footers
Prints footers on every page.
• Use template
Applies a pre-defined printer template. A template contains definitionsof different headers and footers.
• Raw print
Produces simple text output to the printer.
• Send form feed
Sends a form feed after every printed page.
48 4. Editor Setup general
• Template
Select one of the templates from the shown list. A template containsdefinitions of different headers and footers.
• Printer font
Select font size and type for the printout.
• Left margin/Right margin
Specifies the size of the margins in centimeters. If the margins are ininches add ”in”.
Example:To specify a one-inch margin enter ”1in”.
• Paper width/ Paper height
Specifies the size of the paper, in width and height of the paper incharacters.
• Header/ footer
Use these fields to specify the contents of the header and footer.
The following options are available:
– %ppage number
– %Ppage count
– %ffile name
– %Ffile name with path
– %ttime
– %ddate
– %ccompany name
When clicking on the Print Test button a test page will be printed.
49
Editor Setup File typesThis section describes how to configure file type settings.
File type settings determine how to perform renumbering, look for toolchanges, backplot settings, colors, where to save files etc.
5.1 File types
This section describes how to configure file type settings.
File type settings determine how to perform renumbering, look for toolchanges, backplot settings, colors, where to save files etc.
5.1.1 File types
Figure 5.1: Dateitypen hinzufgen
50 5. Editor Setup File types
5.1.1.1 File types
List of defined File types
• Delete
To delete a File type, highlight it and click on the button Delete
• Rename
Click this button to rename a machine group.
To rename a File type, highlight it and click on the button Rename
• Add
Click this button to add a new File type
To add a File type, highlight it and click on the button Add
5.2 Colors
To define the colors used for highlighting with a certain File typ, select Col-ors from the Setup menu. The color configuration dialog is shown below.
Figure 5.2: Color setup.
5.2. COLORS 51
5.2.0.2 Color settings
• Use colors
select this option to use color highlighting.
• Use modal colors
Check this field to use ’modal’ colors. When this option is selected,block containing rapid moves, linear moves and arcs will be assigneddifferent colors.
• Use colors in blocks
Use color highlighting inside a selected block.
5.2.0.3 List of defined colors
• Text
The color used for text, when Use colors is not checked.
• Background
The background color used for editor windows.
• Block color
The background color within a selection.
• Comments
The color used for comments, as defined by the Comment start andComment end, or Block Skip character on the Machine template con-figuration tab.
• Value
The color used for numeric values.
• Select color /
Select a new color. To select a new color highlight a color in list andclick on the button (you can also double click in the list).
• Add new color /
Press this button to add a new color (you can also double click in thelist).
52 5. Editor Setup File types
• Remove selected color /
Press this button to remove the selected color (you can also double clickin the list).
Notice: You can only remove new added colors.
• Up/Down arrows
Use these buttons to move the selected color up and/or down on thelist. Entries higher on the list has higher priority.
• Text
Use this field to specify a string that will be highlighted using theselected color.
• Apply color to trailing digits
If this option is selected, the selected colors will be applied to any digitsfollowing the selected letter.
• Apply color to entire the line
Check this field if the selected color should be applied to the entire line.
• Apply color to trailing letter
If this option is selected, the selected colors will be applied to any lettersfollowing the selected letter.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Color Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the Color Con-figuration window.
Note: The color settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.3. BLOCK NUMBERS 53
5.3 Block Numbers
To configure renumbering and/or automatic block numbering, select Blocknumbers from the Setup menu, or click the configure block numbering icon
. The block number configuration dialog is shown below:
Figure 5.3: Block number configuration.
5.3.0.4 Renumbering settings
• Auto block numbering
Inserts line numbers automatically, according to the format described.If you make a new line (after the existing lines), the new line number willbe governed by the preceding line number and the setting for Interval.If you insert a line in an existing program, the new line number will bemidway between the preceding line and the following line.
• Auto indent lines
Indents new lines. The indention is set at the same level as the lineabove.
• Disable undo prompt for large files
54 5. Editor Setup File types
When this is switched off, you will be told when you are about torenumber a large file, which cannot be undone. If this is switched on,no such warning will appear.
5.3.0.5 Block Format
• Format
A list of available block number formats. Notice, that this will notlimit the number of digits in the line number. If you wish to limit thenumber of digits, you have to specify a maximum line number in theRestart every field.
• Start with
Makes it possible to specify the starting value of the block number.
• Interval
Here, you select the interval which the block number must increase by,for each block. If you select one of the ’Auto...’ options, the numberselected is the maximum block number, and the interval will be se-lected to distribute the block numbers as evenly as feasible, within thismaximum block number.
• Restart every
Specifies when the line number must restart. This number is equal tothe maximum line number.
• Precedes lines with
Here you can enter a string that will be inserted before the line number.For ISO type machines this is normally the letter ’N’.
• From line
Specifies the first line in the program which will be given a line number.
• Spaces after blocknumber
Use this field to specify the number of spaces to insert after the blocknumber. To insert block numbers with a specific column width, specifya negative value.
• To line
If a positive number is written here, it specifies the last line to berenumbered, counted from the beginning of the program. If a negativevalue (-N) is specified, the last N lines (counted from the end of theprogram) will not be renumbered.
5.4. LOAD/SAVE 55
• Skip lines starting with
Defines that the lines starting with a particular string and/or charactersshould be omitted. Multiple strings can be specified using a ’,’ asseparator. If you wish to omit lines beginning with ’,’, specify with ’,,’.
• Start renumbering from line containing
Use this field to specify a renumbering start trigger. If you specify arenumbering start trigger, renumbering will start from the first blockcontaining the specified string. To start from the first block after theblock containing the string, check the ’Start at next block’ option below.
• Skip lines containing
Here you can specify that lines containing a string and/or charactershould be omitted. Multiple strings can be specified, using a ’,’ asseparator.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Block Numbers window without exe-cuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the Block Num-bers Configuration window.
Note: The Block number settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.4 Load/Save
To configure load/save parameters, select Directories/Extensions fromthe Setup menu. The load/save configuration dialog is shown below:
56 5. Editor Setup File types
Figure 5.4: Load/Save configuration.
5.4.0.6 Load/Save
• Default extension
Specify a default extension to use. This extension will be appendedto any new files saved, unless an extension is specified in the ’Save as’window
• Register Default extensions
Check this field to register the specified ’Default Extensions’. Whena an extension is registered in Windows, clicking on a file with thespecified extension in the Windows Explorer, will automatically openthe file in CIMCO Edit.
• Additional extensions
Define additional file extensions associated with your machine type.
Extensions determines the type(s) of file(s) you wish to open (only fileswith the extension(s) defined here will be displayed in an ’Open file’window). You can define more than one extension using a comma ’,’as separator.
5.4. LOAD/SAVE 57
• Register additional extensions
Check this field to register the specified ’Additional Extensions’. Whena an extension is registered in Windows, clicking on a file with thespecified extension in the Windows Explorer, will automatically openthe file in CIMCO Edit.
• Default save path
This function specifies the default save path, which is where the filesave dialog will first point to, when you wish to save a new file of theselected type or when you used the file save as menu. If no path isdefined the last directory you saved a file in will be used.
Click on the folder button to browse for an adequate save path.
• Default load path
This function specifies the default load path, which is where the fileopen dialog will first point to. If no path is defined the last directoryyou loaded a file from will be used.
Click on the folder button to browse for an adequate load path.
• Use separate load/and save directories
When this field is checked, the editor will remember the last load andsave position independently.
5.4.0.7 Backup/Save
• Auto save interval
Select the length of the interval between auto saves from this list. Autosave saves your file at a regular interval, overwriting the original file
• Save with linefeed type
Use this field to specify the linefeed type used when saving files.Auto: Do not change linefeed type. When saving new files, the DOS/Windowslinefeed type is used
DOS/Windows: CR LF (ASCII 13 10)
Unix: LF (ASCII 10)
Mac CR (ASCII 13)
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
58 5. Editor Setup File types
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Load/Save window without executingchanges.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the Load/SaveConfiguration window.
Note: The Load/Save settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.5 File compare settings
To configure file compare settings, select File compare from the Setupmenu, or click on the Setup file compare icon on the file compare toolbar.The file compare configuration dialog is shown below:
Figure 5.5: File compare configuration.
5.5. FILE COMPARE SETTINGS 59
5.5.0.8 File compare settings
• Single line step
Highlights only the difference on the current line.
• Show all differences
Check this field to show all differences at the same time.
• Jump to next difference after sync.
When you select this option, the editor will jump to the next differenceafter you have synchronized two differences.
• Use tab to switch window
Select this option if you want to use the tab key to switch between thetwo files being compared. You will not be able to insert tabs in any ofthe files when this option is enabled.
• Mark Changes only
Only the difference will be highlighted, not the entire line.
• Use smart marking
Not only the different part of the command will be marked, but thecomplete command, if it contains differences.
5.5.0.9 Ignore Options
• Ignore Block numbers
The values of block numbers will be ignored, as will the presence/absenceof block numbers (i.e. it will be ignored, if there are block numbers inone file and not in the other).
• Ignore White spaces
White space characters will be ignored. White space characters arespace (ASCII 32) and tab (ASCII 9).
• Ignore Comments
Anything inside a comment will be ignored. For this to work, youmust have specified the correct ’Comment start’ and ’Comment end’characters for this machine template under the ’Machine templates’tab.
60 5. Editor Setup File types
• Ignore Case
It will be ignored, if one program contains lowercase and the otherUPPERCASE characters.
• Ignore Numeric format
Leading and trailing zeros will be ignored, as will optional ’+’ charac-ters, i.e. ’X+14.10’ matches ’X14.1’ if this option is used.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the File compare window without execut-ing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the File compareConfiguration window.
Note: The File Compare settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.6 Machine
To configure machine specific characters and commands, select Machinefrom the Setup menu. The machine configuration dialog is show below:
5.6. MACHINE 61
Figure 5.6: Machine type configuration.
5.6.0.10 Special Characters
• Comment start
Enter the comment start character here.
• Comment end
Enter the comment end character here.
• Block skip
Enter the block skip character here. If you don’t want a block skipcharacter, just leave the field empty.
• Decimal point
Enter the decimal separator here.
• Block skip after block number
A list of commands you can select from.
• Use decimal point on numeric keypad
Check this field if the decimal key on the numeric keypad should insertthe decimal point specified above.
62 5. Editor Setup File types
5.6.0.11 NC Codes
• Tool Change
Use this field to specify the tool change prefix. Example: If the toolnumber is specified as T010101, specify ’T’ in this field.
• Tool load
Use this field to specify the tool load command. If the tool load com-mand is found on the same line as the tool change command, the tool isloaded immedeatly. Example: N1230 T020202 M6Use this field to spec-ify the tool load command. If the tool load command is found on thesame line as the tool change command, the tool is loaded immedeatly.Example: N1230 T020202 M6.
• Set feedrate
Use this field to specify the feedrate prefix. Example: If the feedrate isspecified as F1000, specify ’F’ in this field.
• Delete
Click this button to delete a command.
• Set spindelspeed
Use this field to specify the spindle speed prefix. Example: If thespindle speed is specified as S1000, specify ’S’ in this field.
5.6.0.12 Units
• Toopath unit
Use this field to specify the path unit.
• Arc type
Use this field to specify the arc type.
• Feedrate unit
Use this field to specify the feedrate unit.
• Rapid speed (mm / min)
Use this field to specify the rapid feedrate.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
5.6. MACHINE 63
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Machine Configuration window with-out executing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the MachineConfiguration window.
Note: The color settings will only affect the selected File typ.
Note: You can not delete the built-in commands.
64 5. Editor Setup File types
5.7 Backplot turning
This section describes how to configure Backplot turning. The followingdialog appears:
Figure 5.7: Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog
5.7.0.13 Other settings
• Turning
Check this field to configure backplot turning.
• Diameter programming
Check this field to select diameter programming.
• Arc center is specified as diameter
Check this field to select diameter programming for Arc centers also (Icoordinate).
• Show plot as positive X/I
Check this field to show programs with negative X/I values above theZ-Axis line.
5.8. BACKPLOT MILLING 65
5.7.0.14 Milling/Turning
• Arc type
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Print Quality
Use this field to specify the printing quality. Higher quality looks better,but requires more time and memory to generate.
• Draw ’zero’ arcs
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Show cycles
Check this field to plot cycles.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Backplot Configuration window with-out executing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the BackplotConfiguration window.
Note: The color settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.8 Backplot Milling
This section describes how to configure Backplot milling. The following dia-log appears:
66 5. Editor Setup File types
Figure 5.8: Backplot Konfigurations-Dialog
5.8.0.15 Other settings
• Milling
Check this field to configure backplot Milling.
• Tool Diameter
Use this field to specify the tool diameter.It is possible to specify thediameter as a fraction. Ex. 1/8.
• Tool type
Use this field to specify the tool type.
5.8.0.16 Milling/Turning
• Arc type
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
5.9. OTHER 67
• Print Quality
Use this field to specify the printing quality. Higher quality looks better,but requires more time and memory to generate.
• Draw ’zero’ arcs
Check this field if a full circle should be drawn on arcs with the samestart and end-point.
• Show cycles
Check this field to plot cycles.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Backplot Configuration window with-out executing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the BackplotConfiguration window.
Note: The color settings will only affect the selected File typ.
5.9 Other
This section describes how to configure Filetyp-specific print settings. Thefollowing dialog appears:
68 5. Editor Setup File types
Figure 5.9: Filetyp-specific print settings Konfigurations-Dialog
5.9.0.17 General settings
• Print Columns
Use this field to specify the number of columns to print.
• Max line length indicator
Use this field to the position of the ’Max line length indicator’. Notice:If you are using a proportional font (i.e. all letter are not the samewidth), the indicator does not show the exact line length.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Backplot Configuration window with-out executing changes.
5.9. OTHER 69
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the BackplotConfiguration window.
Note: The color settings will only affect the selected File typ.
70 5. Editor Setup File types
71
DNC-Max ClientIn this section you will find general information about the functions andsettings of the DNC-Max Client interface.
6.1 DNC-Max Client
This section describes how to configure DNC-Max client settings. The DNC-Max client is the primary interface to DNC-Max for monitoring server activi-ties, manually controlling transmissions and configuring ports. The followingdialog appears:
Figure 6.1: DNC-Max client settings dialog
6.1.0.18 Show tabs
• Show Manual Control
72 6. DNC-Max Client
Check this field to display the ’Manual’ tab
• Show terminal
Check this field to display the ’Terminal’ tab.
• Shows log
Check this field to display the ’Port log’ tab.
• Shows Feed/Speed
Check this field to display the ’Feed/Speed’ tab.
• Show System Log
Check this field to display the ’System Log’ tab.
• Show Debug
Check this field to display the ’Debug tab’ tab.
• Show Progress View
Check this field to display the ’Progress View’ tab.
• Show Messanger
Check this field to display the ’Messenger’ tab.
6.1.0.19 Client configuration
• Allow users to restart port
Check this field to allow users without administrator privileges to restartports.
• Never connect to remote servers
Check this field if you do not wish to administrate remote servers fromthis client.
• Show links in log
Check this field to show links to files in the port log.
• Double click to open links
Check this field to open file links with a double click.
• Double click to configure ports
Check this field to allow administrators to configure port by doubleclicking in the port list.
6.2. PORTLIST 73
• Always show ’All Files’ in file dialog
Select this option to show ’All Files’ by default.
• Always start in’root’ directory
Select this option to open file dialogs in the ’root’ directory. I.e. Sendoperations will default to $SENDROOT, and receive operations willdefault to $RECVROOT.
• Keep file dialog open after edit
Check this field to keep the file dialog open when launching the editor.
• Use NC-Base logins
Check this field to use NC-Base logins.
• Show only ports allowed by NC-Base
Check this field to auto logon when the client is started. To use thisfeature, the user must click ’Remember Password’ on the NC-Base logindialog.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the DNC-Max Client Configuration win-dow without executing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the DNC-MaxClient Configuration window.
6.2 Portlist
This section describes how to configure portlist settings. The following dialogappears:
74 6. DNC-Max Client
Figure 6.2: DNC-Max portlist settings dialog
6.2.0.20 Show Tabs
• Show Send/Recv/Error colors
Check this field to a different background color for active ports (Blue=Sending,Green=Receiving, Red=Error).
• Show progress background
Check this field to show the progress in the background when sendingfiles.
• Drag’n’drop between groups¡/B¿¡P¿ Check this field to allowadministrators to Drag’n’Drop ports between groups.
• Show groups in full sceen mode
Check this field to show the port groups in the port list when the clientis not docked.
• Show groups when docked
Check this field to show the port groups in the port list when the clientis docked.
6.2. PORTLIST 75
• Show group name
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show status
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show transfer time
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show progress
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show lines transferred
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show program name
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show filename
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show COM port
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show protocol type
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Show server name
Check this field to show the selected column in the port list.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Port List Configuration window with-out executing changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the port ListConfiguration window.
76 6. DNC-Max Client
77
PluginsIn this section you will find general information about how to manage Pluginsin CIMCO Edit.
Note: The editor must be licensed according to the plugins you whish torun in the Editor.
7.1 Plugins
This section describes how to configure Plugins in CIMCO Edit. The follow-ing dialog appears:
Figure 7.1: The Plugins dialog
7.1.0.21 Select plugins
• Disable backplot
78 7. Plugins
Check this field to disable the Backplot module.
• Disable DNC/Serial communikation
Check this field to display the ’Terminal’ tab.
• Disable File compare
Check this field to display the ’Port log’ tab.
• Disable advanced NC-Functions
Check this field to display the ’Feed/Speed’ tab.
• Disable NC-Base
Check this field to display the ’System Log’ tab.
• Disable DNC-Max client
Check this field to display the ’Debug tab’ tab.
• Disable CNC-Calc
Check this field to display the ’Progress View’ tab.
7.1.0.22 Configuration password
• Configuration password
Check this field to allow users without administrator privileges to restartports.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the Plugins Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the Plugins Con-figuration window.
###insert new book plugins slut
79
NC-Base DatabaseIn this section you will find general information about the functions andsettings of the NC-Base interface, as well as information on setting up searchcriteria to find programs in the database.
With the NC-Base v4, a system for information storing and transfering is atyour disposal, which makes it possible for you to search for programs withoutnecessarily knowing all details about them. An example of such a databasecould be the search system of a common library: The books in the shelvesare sorted by the names of the authors. If you know only the title of the bookit may result in a long search through the bookshelves. A database allowsyou to search for certain book using the title as search key, the result in thiscase being the name of the author, or you could enter the name of the authoras search key and the result would be all titles by this author to date.
8.1 The NC Base Explorer
The NC-Base v4 consists of two applications: The NC-Base Server (no userinterface, runs in the background as a service) and the NC-Base Client (NC-Base Explorer).
The function of the NC-Base Server is primarily the data storage and theactual data processing, e.g. the search for specific programs.
The NC-Base Explorer serves as user interface for the service provided bythe NC-Base Server, thus enabling the entering of search criteria, as well asthe (graphical) presentation of the results, the further processing of programs,and the possibility of program data modification.
Using the Explorer, you can perform operations like program search, ’AddProgram’, ’Associate file(s)’, ’Lock’ program, make ’Backup’, ’Add Cus-tomer’, ’Send’ program, etc.
Edit program files
The NC-Base Explorer allows editing of NC programs in the CIMCO Edi-tor, as well as the modification of associated files by means of applicationsoutside NC-Base, normally used when opening these files. Depending on theconfiguration of your PC, only a double click on the file is needed to start
80 8. NC-Base Database
the corresponding application. From there, you edit your file as you normallywould and click save, and all changes will be assumed by the database.
Notice: Do not save the file clicking Save As.... If the file is saved inanother directory the modified data will not be stored in the database.
To start NC Base Explorer
To start NC Base Explorer, select Database, Explorer, or click on thecorresponding icon. The following window will appear:
Enter your User Name and Password in the corresponding fields and clickOK.
Notice: Further information on the assignment of user permissions is foundunderUser setup.
The following window appears:
8.1. THE NC BASE EXPLORER 81
Figure 8.1: NC Base Explorer
• Common information
The Nc-Base Explorer consists of two parts: On the right a tree struc-tured presentation of all programs for showing table contents, and onthe left preview and entering of search criteria.
• Program search
The fields ’Program’, ’File name’, ’Machine group’, and ’Customer’ arepre-defined (see following picture).
82 8. NC-Base Database
Figure 8.2: Program Search
• Program search with customised search fields
If you have defined ’Text field 1’, ’Text field 2’, ’Text field 3’, etc inServer settings, these fields will be recognised as search fields (see fol-lowing picture).
Figure 8.3: Program search with customised search fields (example)
Notice: You can specify up to 9 customised search fields.
8.1. THE NC BASE EXPLORER 83
• Preview
If you highlight an NC program or an associated file in the the NC-Basesearch window to the right, the contents will be displayed to the left,in a separate window below Search for programs (see the followingpicture).
Figure 8.4: File preview
Notice: In Client Settings you can de-activate the preview by checkingthe ’Disable preview’ field, or you can specify whether to ’Previewassociated files’.
• Add/remove columns
By right-clicking the title bar of any column i the search window, youcan add or remove columns from the Explorer search result window(see following picture).
84 8. NC-Base Database
Figure 8.5: Add/remove columns
In the context menu, which appears when right-clicking the title bar,check or un-check a column title to make it appear in, or disappearfrom, the Explorer search result window.
• Column order
You can easily change the column order by clicking a column title anddragging it to a new position.
Notice: Click and drag between column titles to adjust the width ofthe nearest column to the left.
8.2 Search for programs
In this section you will find information on how to enter search criteria tofind programs in the database.
8.2. SEARCH FOR PROGRAMS 85
By entering search criteria in the fields Program, File name, Machine group,etc. you can make a search for specified programs. Using wildcards like ’?’(for any uspecified character) and ’*’ (for a string of unspecified characters)you can limit the search to come up with programs having certain characterstrings in common.
To search for a program in NC-Base, select Database, Explorer, or clickon the corresponding icon.In the ’logon’ dialog, enter your User Name and Password and click on OK.The following window appears:
Figure 8.6: NC Base Explorer
• Search for programs
A search can be simple or complicated, narrow or broad. A ”succesful”search is (user finds all information wanted) should be simple and broad.
In the Program Search window you can enter part or all of the searchterm. If a field is left empty it will not be included in the search criteria.You can thus enter search terms into one, some, or all of the fields, aswell as select machine group and customer from the drop down lists.
When the desired search terms have been entered, click Search.
All programs matching the search criteria will be shown in the searchresult window, as shown in the following example:
86 8. NC-Base Database
Click on Clear if you wish to clear the search fields.
• Advanced search
In NC-Base v4 you can extend the search to include groups of data notdefined by field names. Check the field Advanced search to activatethe extended search options. The following window will appear:
8.2. SEARCH FOR PROGRAMS 87
• Date
Do not search by date : A search for programs without consideringthe dates of their modification or creation (Options ’Between:’, ’and:’grayed out).
Created and modified time : A search for programs created and modifiedwithin the dates specified in the ’Between:’ and ’and:’ fields.
Created time : A search for programs created within the dates specifiedin the ’Between:’ and ’and:’ fields.
Modified time : A search for programs modified within the dates spec-ified in the ’Between:’ and ’and:’ fields.
• Approved
All : A search for approved and unapproved programs, including im-ported programs waiting for approval.
88 8. NC-Base Database
Yes : A search for approved programs, including imported programswaiting for approval.
No : A search for unapproved programs.
Imported awaitng approval : A search for imported programs waitingfor approval.
• Locked
Both : A search for locked and unlocked programs.
Yes : A search for locked programs.
No : A search for unlocked programs.
• Deleted
Both : A search for deleted and not deleted programs.
Yes : A search for deleted programs.
No : A search for not deleted programs.
Deleted on date : A search for programs deleted within the dates spec-ified in the ’Between:’ and ’and:’ fields.
• Programs without a machine group
Check this box to search for programs not linked to a machine group.
• Programs without a customer
Check this box to search for programs not linked to a customer.
89
NC-Base Settings
This section describes in detail the configuration of the NCBase database,including Client Settings, User Permissions, Passwords, Machine Groups,etc. The configuration of the database depends on which machine is to beconnected to it, where programs and associated files should be stored, whichuser should have access and with which permissions, etc.
Notice:In order for you to be able to configure the database you must bepermitted access as system administrator and have access to the PC wherethe NCBase Client is installed.
When you start to configure the database you will be prompted to enter yourpassword.
9.1 Client Settings
In this section is described how to set up and use the NC-Base Client (NC-Base Explorer) functions.
The NC-Base Client is the user interface of the NC-Base Server.
To configure the client, select Database, Setup. The Cimco NC-Base Con-figuration window appears. Select Client Settings from the left hand list.The following dialog appears:
90 9. NC-Base Settings
Figure 9.1: Client settings
• Remember password
Check this field to log in automatically.
Notice: Selecting this option will render the properties of the Autologout function inactive.
• Remember last search
Check this field to store the latest search made.
• Double click opens program info
With this field checked, the dialog Program Info will start when aprogram is double-clicked.
• Double click opens program
With this field checked, you can open and edit the program file with adouble click.
• Disable multiple search windows
Check this field to de-activate the function Multiple Search Windows.With this option selected, the user can open only one search windowat a time.
9.1. CLIENT SETTINGS 91
• Disable file dragging
Check this field to disable file dragging. With this option selected,the user cannot copy or move associated files between programs byDragnDrop.
• Disable drop files
Check this field to disable drop files. With this option selected, theuser cannot copy or move program files or to-be associated files intothe database by using DragnDrop.
• Disable change columns
Check this field to disable the function change columns. With this op-tion selected, the user cannot change which columns are displayed inthe search window.
• Disable column re-arrange
Check this field to disable the function column re-arrange. With thisoption selected, the user cannot change the order of the columns in theNCBase search window.
• Disable editor setup
Check this field to disable the editor configuration dialogs. This limi-tation should not be imposed on users with administrator access.
• Disable preview
Check this field to disable the preview window.
• Preview associated files
Check this field to enable the preview of associated files.
• Show preview below results
Check this field to show the preview below the search results.
• Disable external editors
Check this field to disable the option external editors. All files are thenviewed or edited using CIMCO Edit.
• Show file path
Check this field to show the file paths of associated files in the searchwindow.
• Show file types
Check this field to show the file types of associated files in the searchwindow.
92 9. NC-Base Settings
• Remember templates
Check this field if the last memo/tool/setup templates should be re-membered when adding new programs.
• Auto completion
Check this field to enable the function Auto completion.
Notice: If you have a slow network/computer, you should disable thisoption.
• Keep dialogs open
Check this field to keep dialogs open. When this option is selected,the customer and program dialogs stay open after adding a new entry.This makes is easier to add multiple programs/customers.
• Move files to program directory
• Leave original when moving files
Check this field to leave a copy of the original file in the programdirectory when the file is moved.
• Auto unlock
Check this field to automatically release program files or associated filesfor editing.
• Disable other groups
• Auto logout time (mins)
Enter the time in minutes before automatic logout.
The value 0 will deactivate the automatic logout.
Notice: This option is not available when the option ’Remember pass-word’ is active.
• Max search results
Enter the maximum search results.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
9.2. USER SETUP 93
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NCBaseConfiguration window.
9.2 User setup
This section describes the setup and use of user access.
To define different users with different access profiles has some advantages:
1. Limits the number of users allowed to alter configurations.2. The normal user cannot accidentally alter or delete important configura-tion setups, nor delete an entire NC program (configuration dependent).3. Possible monitoring of each users program changes.4. Possible conferment of individual user access for each user.
To open the dialog NCBase User Set-up, select Database, Setup, or clickon the corresponding icon. Then click on User Setup on the list to the left.The following dialog appears:
Figure 9.2: User setup
94 9. NC-Base Settings
9.2.0.23 User Info
• Add user
To add a new user, click on the button Add user. The following dialogappears:
Figure 9.3: Add new user
.
Enter a User ID and a password and click OK. If you want to exitwithout changes taking effect, click Cancel.
• Delete
To delete a user, highlight the user to be deleted and click Delete.
Notice: The administrator ADMIN cannot be deleted.
• Set password
If you want to change the password of a user, highlight the user andclick on the button Set password.
9.2.0.24 User Permissions
There are two access levels: Administrator and User. You can permita new user access on administrator level. More on this in the sectionAdministrator below.
Allowed groups
List of all defined machine groups.To allow the selected user access to a machine group, check the checkbox next to it.
• Edit
Check this field to allow the selected user the editing of programs.
9.2. USER SETUP 95
• Add Programs
Check this field to allow the selected user to add new programs.
• Modify
Check this field to allow the selected user to modify program data.
• Delete
Check this field to allow the selected user to delete programs.
• Un-delete
Check this field to allow the selected user to restore deleted programs.
• Backup
Check this field to allow the selected user to make back-ups.
• Purge Backups
Check this field to allow the selected user to purge back-ups.
• Restore
Check this field to allow the selected user to restore back-ups.
• Add customer
Check this field to allow the selected user the adding of new customers.
• Modify customer
Check this field to allow the selected selected user to modify customerdata.
• Delete customer
Check this field to allow the selected user to delete customers.
• Lock
Check this field to allow the selected user to lock programs.
• Unlock
Check this field to allow the selected user to unlock programs.
• Approve
Check this field to allow the selected user to approve programs.
• Auto Approve
Check this field if programs should be auto approved when this userlocks a program.
96 9. NC-Base Settings
• Purge
Check this field to allow the selected user to purge deleted files.
• Auto purge
Check this field if any programs deleted by this user should be auto-matically purged.
• Send
Check this field to allow the selected user to send programs.
• Receive
Check this field to allow the selected user to receive files.
• Associate files
Check this field to allow the selected user to associate files
• Administrator
Check this to make the selected user a system administrator.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NCBaseConfiguration window.
9.3 Server settings
This section describes the set up and use of the NCBase Server functions.
The function of the NCBase Server (No user interface, runs in the back-ground as a service) is primarily the data storage and data processing, suchas searching for individual programs.
9.3. SERVER SETTINGS 97
The server offers functions like Use CIMCO DNC-Max, Disable memo fileslists, Send only approved files, Max number of back-ups, Programs not ap-proved when released, Send only approved files, Only back-up if changed, etc.In this dialog is also defined the optional search fields.
To open the dialog Server Settings, select Database, Setup, or click on thecorresponding icon. Then, in the left window of the dialog CIMCO NCBaseConfiguration, click on Server Settings. The following dialog appears:
Figure 9.4: The Server Settings dialog.
• Use CIMCO DNC-Max
Check this field if CIMCO DNC-Max should be used as DNC link.
• Use UNC names
Check this field to use UNC names.
• Allow files outside program directory
Check this field to allow programs to be placed outside the programdirectory.
• Allow files outside base directory
Check this field to allow programs to be placed outside the base direc-tory.
98 9. NC-Base Settings
• Use locking system
Check this field to activate the locking system.
When the locking system is active, the user cannot edit program files.
• Use approval system
Check this field to activate the approval system.
When the approval system is active, the user can send only approvedprogram files. When a program is released for editing it is automaticallymarked as ’unproven’. After this, the program file can only be sent tothe machine when a user with the required access has approved it.
• Set locked files ’Read Only’
Check this field if program files should be set to ’Read Only’ whenlocked.
• Set associated files ’Read Only’
Check this field if associated files should be set to ’Read Only’ whenthe program is locked.
• Backup files when unlocking
Check this field if program files should be backed up when they areunlocked.
• Backup associated when unlocking
Check this field if associated files should be set to ’Read Only’ whenthe program is locked.
• Only backup if changed
Check this field if a backup should be generated only when the file isdifferent from the latest backup.
• Auto purge
Check this field to enable the automatic purge of deleted files from thedatabase.
• Disable user management
Check this field to disable user management.
• Disable tool lists
Check this field to disable the tool lists.
• Disable memo files
Check this field to disable memo files.
9.4. MACHINE GROUPS 99
• Disable setup sheets
Check this field to disable setup sheets.
• Disable customer info
Check this field to disable customer info.
• Disable file search
Check this field to disable file search.
• Add new edit programs
Check this field to add NC programs, edited in CIMCO Edit, directlyto the database.
Notice: Using this function, the command Save/Save as in theCIMCO Editor automatically opens the NCBase Dialog Add pro-gram.
• Max number of backups
Use this field to specify how many backups should be kept in the data-base.
Notice: To disable backups specify a value of 0 in this field.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NCBaseConfiguration window.
9.4 Machine Groups
The functions in the dialog Machine Groups make it possible to attach adefined machine group to a DNC port. Whether the machine groups aredefined in the Editor or in DNC-Max depends on the ’Use DNC-Max’ settingin the server configuration dialog.
100 9. NC-Base Settings
In NCBase it is possible to associate programs with a machine group, whichin turn is connected to a DNC port. In this way, NC programs imported tothe database can be accessed or sent directly from the machine control (thismethod utilises the optional DNC-Max functions Remote Request and AutoReceive).
To open the dialog Machine Groups, select Database, Setup, or click on thecorresponding icon. Then, in the left window of the dialog CIMCO NCBaseConfiguration, click on Machine Groups. The following dialog appears:
Figure 9.5: Machine Groups
• Program directory /
Click this button to change the program directory of the selected ma-chine.
• Delete machine group /
Click this button to delete the highlighted machine group.
• Add Group
Click this button to add a new machine group.
9.4. MACHINE GROUPS 101
To add a DNC port to a machine group, a machine group must firstbe made. Click on the button Add Group. The following dialog willappear:
Figure 9.6: Add a new machine group
Assign an indicative name to the machine group and click OK.
• Rename
Click this button to rename a machine group.
To rename a machine group, highlight it and click on the button Re-name. The following dialog will appear:
Figure 9.7: Rename machine group
Assign a new name to the machine group and click OK.
• Add port
Click Add port to add a DNC port to the selected machine groups.The following dialog will appear:
102 9. NC-Base Settings
Figure 9.8: Add port
Highlight the machine to connect to and click OK.
Notice: DNC Ports are either defined in the Editor DNC configurationor in DNC-Max, depending on the ’Use DNC-Max’ setting on the serverconfiguration dialog.
9.4.0.25 Associated files
Apart from storing program files, CIMCO NC-Base also assumes manage-ment of associated files. All formats accepted by Windows can be stored,e.g. Word files (*.doc), PDF files (*.pdf), images (*.jpg, *.gif, and others),etc.
This section concerns the associated files Memo, Tool list, and Setup sheet.
Notice: If these files are to be used they must not be de-activated in thedialog Server Settings. Further information on the settings for associatedfiles is found in the section Server settings.
• Associated files location
Specify here where Memos, Tool lists, and Setup sheets are to be stored.
Store in program directory: Files are stored in the same directory asthe program files (see following picture).
9.4. MACHINE GROUPS 103
Figure 9.9: Associated files are stored in the same directory as the programfiles.
Store in sub-directory: Files are stored in a directory subordinate tothe program directory (see following picture).
104 9. NC-Base Settings
Figure 9.10: Associated files stored in a sub-directory of the directory wherethe program file is stored.
Store in specified directory: Files are stored in the directories specifiedbelow (see following picture).
9.4. MACHINE GROUPS 105
Figure 9.11: Associated files stored where it is specified in Memo directory,Tool list directory, and Setup sheet directory respectively.
• Sub-directory
Use this field to specify the name of the sub-directory where associatedfiles should be stored.
• Memo template
Use this field to specify the location of the Memo file template. The filetemplates are by default placed in C:\CIMCO\NCBase4Server\Programs\Default.If you do not select a Memo file template of your own, and have notchecked the field Disable memo files in Server Settings, the defaultMemo file template (as a text file) will be associated with the program.Further information on settings for associated files is found in the sec-tion Server settings.
• Tool list template
Use this field to specify the location of the Tool list template. The filetemplates are by default placed in C:\CIMCO\NCBase4Server\Programs\Default.If you do not select a Tool list template of your own, and have notchecked the field Disable tool lists in Server Settings, the defaultTool list template (as a text file) will be associated with the program.
106 9. NC-Base Settings
Further information on settings for associated files is found in the sec-tion Server settings.
• Setup sheet template
Use this field to specify the location of the Setup sheet template. Thefile templates are by default placed in C:\CIMCO\NCBase4Server\Programs\Default.
If you do not select a Setup sheet template of your own, and havenot checked the field Disable setup sheets in Server Settings, thedefault Setup sheet template (as a text file) will be associated with theprogram.
Further information on settings for associated files is found in the sec-tion Server settings.
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NCBaseConfiguration window.
9.5 Database Settings
In this section is described how to define a Base Directory, declare CustomFields, and affix prefix/suffix to the Memo, Tool, and Setup files.
To open the dialog Database Settings, select Database, Setup, or click onthe corresponding icon. Then, in the left window of the CIMCO NC-BaseConfiguration, click on Database Settings. The following dialog appears:
9.5. DATABASE SETTINGS 107
Figure 9.12: Database Settings
9.5.0.26 Base Directory
• Base Directory
In this field the program Base Directory is defined.
9.5.0.27 Custom Fields
• Text field 1
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 1. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 2
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 2. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 3
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 3. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
108 9. NC-Base Settings
• Text field 4
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 4. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 5
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 5. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 6
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 6. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 7
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 7. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 8
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 8. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
• Text field 9
Enter into this field the title of custom search field 9. If you do notwant to use custom search fields, leave these text fields empty.
9.5.0.28 Associated Files Prefix/Suffix
• Memo Prefix
• Tool Prefix
• Setup Prefix
• Memo Suffix
• Tool Suffix
• Setup Suffix
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
9.6. DATABASE SERVER 109
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NC-BaseConfiguration window.
9.6 Database Server
In this dialog, the host address of the CIMCO NC-Base Server is entered.
Figure 9.13: Database Server
• NC-Base ServerName
Enter into this field the computer name/address under which the CIMCONC-Base Server is installed. The server name can be entered either asan IP address or a host name.
Notice: If the NC-Base Server runs on this computer, you can enter’localhost’ (or the computer name).
110 9. NC-Base Settings
• Help
Opens the on-line help.
• Default
Click this button to revert to default settings.
• Cancel
Click on this button to close the NCBase Configuration window withoutexecuting changes.
• OK
Click this button to execute the new settings made in the NC-BaseConfiguration window.
111
DNC settingsIf you wish to configure the settings for communication between the PC anda selected machine, you can do it in two ways: You can select DNC Setupfrom the Transmission menu, select the desired machine, and click Setup.Or you can select the desired machine in the communications toolbar andclick on the configure DNC icon on the communications toolbar.
If you select DNC Setup from the Transmission menu, this window willappear:
Figure 10.1: DNC Setup dialog.
• Machine
If there are several machines connected to the computer, you can selectwhich machine to communicate with or configure.
• Protocol
112 10. DNC settings
Here, you select the communications protocol for the selected machine.Notice that you can not select a protocol which you have no licensefor. If tried, the computer will automatically select the earlier usedprotocol.
• Port information
Shows - in shorthand - the most important of the machine settings.
• Machine Type
Shows a list of different machines, which can be used as templates.
• Setup
Enters the configuration dialog for the selected machine.
• Delete
Click this button to delete a configuration.
• Add new
Click this button to add a new configuration.
• Rename
Click this button to rename a configuration.
10.1. PORT SETUP 113
10.1 Port Setup
To change DNC settings, select DNC Setup from the Transmission menu,or click the DNC setup button, on the transmission toolbar.
The basic port configuration dialog is shown below:
Figure 10.2: Basic port settings.
• Port
List of the serial ports on your PC. Select the one you wish to use withthis machine configuration.
• Baud rate
The transmission speed, in bits per second.
• Stop bits
The number of stop bits appended after each character in the commu-nication to separate the data bits.
• Data bits
The number of bits in each character.
114 10. DNC settings
• Parity
An error checking method which indicates if a transmission was suc-cessful or not. The method can operate in different modes:
None. Is selected when no parity error checking is to be used.
Even parity. An even number of 1’s in each character.
Odd parity. An odd number of 1’s is used in each character.
Mark parity. The parity bit is always ’1’ and the line is ’low’.
Space parity. The parity is always ’0’ and the line is ’high’.
• Flow control
The handshake procedure for synchronizing the communication be-tween the computer and the control. Software handshake uses theXON/XOFF ASCII characters, Hardware handshake uses the RTS/CTScontrol lines in the RS-232 communication specifications.
• Advanced port settings
If you want CIMCO Edit V5 to report parity errors, then mark theCheck parity box. Every time an error occurs the specified characteris inserted into the file at the receiving point.
Non standard XOn and XOff characters can be specified.
10.2. RECEIVE SETTINGS 115
10.2 Receive settings
To configure receive settings, click on the Receive tab. The receive config-uration dialog is shown below:
Figure 10.3: Receive settings.
• CR/LF
Use this field to specify the line feed character(s).
If you select Auto, the DNC will try to auto-detect the CR/LF combi-nation used. If the remote machine does not use any of the standardcombinations of ASCII 13 and ASCII 10, you must enter the CR/LFcombination manually.
The normal combination is ASCII 13 followed by ASCII 10. ASCII13 and ASCII 10 have no character representation, so they must beentered as \13 and \10 respectively.
• Omit lines containing
Exclude lines containing one or more selected characters. The conse-quence of entering anything here is, that any line containing one ofthese characters or strings will be discarded when received.
116 10. DNC settings
• Remove characters
Selected characters will automatically be removed from the receivedstream. You can select ’None’, ’ASCII 0’ or ’All below ASCII 32’ fromthe dropdown menu if one of those is appropriate.
• Start trigger
Start triggers are characters indicating that CIMCO Edit V5 shouldstart saving incoming data. If no start trigger is used and the fieldtherefore is left empty, CNC-Edit will start saving at the beginning ofthe file.
• End trigger
End triggers are characters indicating that CIMCO Edit V5 should stopsaving incoming data. If no end trigger is used and the field thereforeis left empty, CIMCO Edit V5 will continue to save until the end of thefile, where a timeout occurs.
• Receive timeout in seconds
Indicates the time delay after the last character has been received fromthe remote machine, until the computer concludes that the receiving isfinished. If no end trigger is specified, you should specify a value here,or you will have to stop the receive process manually from the receivestatus dialog.
• Send XOn
When this field is checked, the DNC will send a XOn character whenit is ready to receive data.
• Send at start of reception
Use this field to specify a string that should be sent to the CNC whena receive operation is started.
Note: When entering characters in one of the character entry fields, the char-acters can be entered in two ways. You can enter the characters themselves,like $*, or you can enter the ASCII values of the characters, like \36\42.($has the ASCII code number 36).
10.3 Transmit settings
To configure transmit settings, click on the Transmit tab. The transmitconfiguration dialog is shown below:
10.3. TRANSMIT SETTINGS 117
Figure 10.4: Transmission setup.
• CR/LF.
In this field you can select the carriage-return or line-feed character(s)from the drop-down menu, or you can enter them manually. ASCII13 and ASCII 10 have no character representation, so they must beentered as \13 and \10 respectively.
• Send at start of feed
Here, you can specify a certain character or a string that should be sentat the start of the transmission.
• Send at end of feed
Here, you can specify a certain character or a string that should be sentat the end of the transmission.
• Omit lines containing
Exclude lines containing one or more selected characters. The conse-quence of entering anything here is, that any line containing one ofthese characters or strings will not be transmitted.
• Break after receiving characters
118 10. DNC settings
Ends the transmission to the control after a specified number of char-acters have been sent, even if the program is not finished. If this fieldis left empty, any incoming characters are ignored.
• Handshake timeout in seconds
The chosen time that CIMCO Edit V5 should wait after receiving a stopflow signal from a remote machine, before it terminates the connection.If the timeout value is not specified, it will wait until a start flow isreceived.
• Delay before each line in ms
The time given in milliseconds, CIMCO Edit V5 should wait before itbegins transmitting a new line.
• Remove white spaces
White spaces and tabs are removed automatically from the file trans-mitted to the remote machine. This feature is activated with a markin the box.
• Replace tabs with spaces
Replaces tabs with spaces before sending the file to the remote machine.This feature is activated with a mark in the box.
• Wait for Xon
This box is checked if you wish CIMCO Edit V5 to wait for an Xonbefore transmitting data. This option is only available if Software hand-shake is enabled in the port settings.
Note: When entering characters in one of the character entry fields, the char-acters can be entered in two ways. You can enter the characters themselves,like $*, or you can enter the ASCII values of the characters, like \36\42.
119
Serial communicationoverviewThis section contains information about how to build a standard serial cable,and loopback device.
11.1 RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485
11.1.1 RS-232
Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS-232. Thisimplementation has been defined and revised several times and is often re-ferred to as RS-232 or EIA/TIA 232. The IBM PC computer defined theRS-232 port on a 9-pin D sub connector and subsequently the EIA/TIA ap-proved this implementation as the EIA/TIA 574 standard. This standard isdefined as the 9 Position Non-Synchronous Interface between Data TerminalEquipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Bi-nary Data Interchange. Both implementations are in widespread use and willbe referred to as RS-232 in this document. RS-232 is capable of operatingat data rates up to 20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The absolute max-imum data rate may vary due to line conditions and cable lengths. RS-232often operates at 38.4 Kbps over very short distances. The voltage levelsdefined by RS-232 range from 12 to +12 volts. RS-232 is a single ended orunbalanced interface, meaning that a single electrical signal is compared to acommon signal (ground) to determine binary logic states. A voltage of +12volts (usually +3 to +10 volts) represents a binary 0 (space) and 12 volts (3 to 10 volts) denotes a binary 1 (mark). The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-574specification defines two type of interface circuits, Data Terminal Equipment(DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE).
11.1.2 RS-422
The RS-422 specification defines the electrical characteristics of balancedvoltage digital interface circuits. RS-422 is a differential interface that definesvoltage levels and driver/receiver electrical specifications. On a differential
120 11. Serial communication overview
interface, logic levels are defined by the difference in voltage between a pair ofoutputs or inputs. In contrast, a single ended interface, for example RS-232,defines the logic levels as the difference in voltage between a single signaland a common ground connection. Differential interfaces are typically moreimmune to noise or voltage spikes that may occur on the communicationlines. Differential interfaces also have greater drive capabilities that allow forlonger cable lengths. RS-422 is rated up to 10 Megabits per second and canhave cabling 4000 feet long. RS-422 also defines driver and receiver electricalcharacteristics that will allow 1 driver and up to 32 receivers on the line atonce. RS-422 signal levels range from 0 to +5 volts. RS-422 does not definea physical connector.
11.1.3 RS-485
RS-485 is backwardly compatible with RS-422; however, it is optimized forparty line or multi drop applications. The output of the RS-422/485 driveris capable of being Active (enabled) or Tri State (disabled). This capabilityallows multiple ports to be connected in a multi drop bus and selectivelypolled. RS-485 allows cable lengths up to 4000 feet and data rates up to10 Megabits per second. The signal levels for RS-485 are the same as thosedefined by RS-422. RS-485 has electrical characteristics that allow for 32drivers and 32 receivers to be connected to one line. This interface is idealfor multi drop or network environments. RS-485 tri state driver (not dualstate) will allow the electrical presence of the driver to be removed from theline. Only one driver may be active at a time and the other driver(s) mustbe tri stated. The output modem control signal RTS controls the state ofthe driver. Some communication software packages refer to RS-485 as RTSenable or RTS block mode transfer. RS-485 can be cabled in two ways:two wire or four wire mode. Two wire mode does not allow for full duplexcommunication and requires that data be transferred in only one direction ata time. For half duplex operation, the two transmit pins should be connectedto the two receive pins (Tx+ to Rx+ and Tx to Rx ). Four wire mode allowsfull duplex data transfers. RS-485 does not define a connector pin out or aset of modem control signals. RS-485 does not define a physical connector.
11.2. RS-232 LAYOUT FOR 9 PIN CONNECTOR 121
11.2 RS-232 layout for 9 pin connector
Pin Signal Name
2 Received Data RX3 Transmitted Data TX4 Data Terminal Ready DTR5 Signal Ground GND6 Data Set Ready DSR7 Request To Send RTS8 Clear To Send CTS
Table 11.1: 9 pin RS-232
Note: Only signals used for regular RS-232 communication are shown.
11.3 RS-232 layout for 25 pin connector
Pin Signal Name
3 Received Data RX2 Transmitted Data TX20 Data Terminal Ready DTR7 Signal Ground GND6 Data Set Ready DSR4 Request To Send RTS5 Clear To Send CTS
Table 11.2: 25 pin RS-232
Note: Only signals used for regular RS-232 communication are shown.
11.4 Standard RS-232 serial cable.
To build a standard RS-232 serial cable, you will need two 9 or 25 pin femaleconnectors and a cable with 7 wires, preferably shielded cable.
122 11. Serial communication overview
ConnectorA ConnectorB
RX TXTX RX
DTR DSRDSR DTRRTS CTSCTS RTSGND GND
Table 11.3: Standard RS-232 serial cable
If the cable is shielded, you should use the shield as ground (GND).
11.5 How to build a loopback device
A loopback is a device that sends the signal back through the same port asit is sent out of. It is used for testing purposes and is not used under normaloperations.
To make a loopback device, you will need a 9-pin or 25-pin male connector,and three pieces of wire.
11.5.1 Loopback device for a 9-pin connector
• RX/TX
Connect pin 2 (RX) to pin 3 (TX).
• DTR/DSR
Connect pin 4 (DTR) to pin 6 (DSR).
• RTS/CTS
Connect pin 7 (RTS) to pin 8 (CTS).
11.5.2 Loopback device for a 25-pin connector
• RX/TX
Connect pin 3 (RX) to pin 2 (TX).
11.5. HOW TO BUILD A LOOPBACK DEVICE 123
• DTR/DSR
Connect pin 20 (DTR) to pin 6 (DSR).
• RTS/CTS
Connect pin 4 (RTS) to pin 5 (CTS).
124 11. Serial communication overview
125
Using on-line helpThis section describes how to use the on-line help system in CIMCO products.
A standard Windows Help file is available through the dropdown Help menuor by pressing the F1 key.
12.1 Using help in dialogs
To get help for a particular dialog item, click the ? at the top of a dialogbox, as shown below.
Figure 12.1: Click the question mark.
This will change the cursor to an arrow and a question mark indicating thatyou are in Help Mode. The new pointer is shown below.
Figure 12.2: The question cursor.
Now click on the item that you want further information about. If help isavailable for the selected item, a small window will pop up displaying thehelp text. If no help is available the general on-line help is launched. Anexample of a pop-up help is shown below.
Figure 12.3: The pop-up information.
You can also display the pop-up help by pressing F1.
126 12. Using on-line help
12.2 Printing help information
If you wish to print just a single section of this on-line help, press the Printbutton on the toolbar (shown below).
Figure 12.4: Help buttons.
If you wish to print more than a few sections, you should open the PDF ver-sion of the on-line documentation. The PDF produces a much nicer printout.
The PDF version is located in the CIMCO Edit V5 Help directory.
Note: You will need Adobe acrobat reader to open the PDF file.
INDEX 127
Index
About, 42Add, 50Add Current Program, 15Add Customer, 18Add customer, 95Add Group, 100Add new, 112Add new color, 51Add new edit programs, 99Add port, 101Add Program, 13Add Programs, 95Add user, 94Add/remove columns, 83Addition, 25Additional extensions, 56Adjust feedrate, 26Adjust spindle speed, 26Administrator, 96Advanced port settings, 114Advanced search, 86Allow files outside base directory,
97Allow files outside program direc-
tory, 97Allow users to restart port, 72Always show ’All Files’ in file dia-
log, 73Always start in’root’ directory, 73Angle, 28, 29Animation speed, 36, 40Append file, 23Apply color to entire the line, 52Apply color to trailing digits, 52
Apply color to trailing letter, 52Approve, 18, 95Approved, 87Arc center is specified as diameter,
36, 64ARC type, 28–31Arc type, 36, 39, 62, 65, 66Arrange, 42Associate File(s), 15Associate files, 96Associated files location, 102Assume G91, 28–31Auto Approve, 95Auto block numbering, 53Auto completion, 92Auto indent lines, 53Auto logout time (mins), 92Auto purge, 96, 98Auto save interval, 57Auto unlock, 92
Background, 51Backplot file, 34, 37Backplot window, 34, 37Backspace at start of line, 45Backup, 16, 95Backup associated when unlocking,
98Backup files when unlocking, 98Base Directory, 107Baud rate, 113Block color, 51Block numbers, 41Block skip, 61
128 INDEX
Block skip after block number, 61Break after receiving characters, 117
Cancel, 52, 55, 58, 60, 63, 65, 67,68, 73, 75, 78, 92, 96, 99,106, 109, 110
Cascade, 41Check external changes, 44Close, 11Close All, 11Colors, 41Column order, 84Comma as decimal symbol, 28–31Comment end, 61Comment start, 61Comments, 51Common information, 81Compare, 16, 17Compare File with File, 33Compare with File, 33Compare With Latest Backup, 18Compare with Window, 33Configuration password, 78Convert Heidenhain to ISO, 31Copy, 21Copy without selection, 46CR/LF, 115CR/LF., 117Customer, 14Cut, 21, 22
Data bits, 113Date, 87Decimal point, 61Decimals, 25–31Default, 52, 55, 58, 60, 63, 65, 67,
68, 73, 75, 78, 92, 96, 99,106, 108, 110
Default extension, 56Default load path, 57Default save path, 57Del, 22Delay before each line in ms, 118
Delete, 16, 50, 62, 94, 95, 112Delete Customer, 19Delete customer, 95Delete machine group, 100Deleted, 88Diameter programming, 36, 64Disable advanced NC-Functions, 78Disable backplot, 77Disable change columns, 91Disable CNC-Calc, 78Disable column re-arrange, 91Disable customer info, 99Disable DNC-Max client, 78Disable DNC/Serial communikation,
78Disable drop files, 91Disable editor setup, 91Disable external editors, 91Disable File compare, 78Disable file dragging, 91Disable file search, 99Disable memo files, 98Disable multiple search windows,
90Disable NC-Base, 78Disable other groups, 92Disable preview, 91Disable setup sheets, 99Disable tool lists, 98Disable undo prompt for large files,
53Disable user management, 98Division, 25DNC Setup, 32Double click opens program, 90Double click opens program info,
90Double click to configure ports, 72Double click to open links, 72Drag’n’drop between groups¡/B¿¡P¿,
74Draw ’zero’ arcs, 36, 39, 65, 67Dynamic Program Preview, 21
INDEX 129
Edit, 15, 94Edit program files, 79Editor, 41End trigger, 116Exit, 12Explorer, 12
Feedrate unit, 62Find, 22Find Deleted, 20Find Imported, 20Find Modified Day, 20Find Modified Week, 20Find next, 22Find previous, 22Find Unlocked, 20Find Unproven, 19Find X/Y/Z Ranges, 24Flow control, 114Font settings, 46Format, 54From line, 54
Global, 41Goto first difference, 33Goto last difference, 33Goto line/Block number, 22
Handshake timeout in seconds, 118Header/ footer, 48Help, 17, 52, 55, 57, 60, 62, 65, 67,
68, 73, 75, 78, 92, 96, 99,106, 108, 110
Horizontal scroll bar, 45
Ignore Block numbers, 59Ignore Case, 60Ignore Comments, 59Ignore Numeric format, 60Ignore White spaces, 59Insert block numbers, 23Insert file, 23Insert Whitespace, 23Interval, 54
Jump to next difference after sync.,59
Keep decimals, 25Keep dialogs open, 92Keep file dialog open after edit, 73Keyboard acceleration, 45
Language, 44Leave copy of program file, 14Leave original when moving files,
92Left margin/Right margin, 48Lock, 18, 95Locked, 88Logoff, 20Logon, 20Lowercase, 24
Machine, 111Machine Group, 14Machine templates, 41Machine Type, 112Mark Changes only, 59Mark to end of line, 46Mark/Delete range, 22Max line length indicator, 68Max number of backups, 99Max search results, 92Maximum value, 25–27Memo File, 14Memo Prefix, 108Memo Suffix, 108Memo template, 105Milling, 39, 66Minimum value, 25–27Mirror, 28Modify, 95Modify Customer, 19Modify customer, 95Move back, 36, 40Move files to program directory, 92Move forward, 37, 40
130 INDEX
Move program file to machine di-rectory, 14
Move to end, 37, 40Move to start, 36, 40Multiplication, 25
NC-Base ServerName, 109Never connect to remote servers,
72New, 11New feedrate, 26New spindle speed, 27Next difference, 33Next Tool change, 24
Offset, 30Offset Left (G41), 30Offset right (G42), 30Offset/Tool compensation, 29OK, 52, 55, 58, 60, 63, 65, 67,
69, 73, 75, 78, 93, 96, 99,106, 109, 110
Omit lines containing, 115, 117On-line help, 42Only backup if changed, 98Open, 11Open file multiple times, 44Open windows maximized, 44Other, 24
Pad with tabs, 46Pan view, 34, 38Paper width/ Paper height, 48Parameter(s), 24Parity, 114Paste, 21, 22Pause, 37, 40Point (X,Y), 28, 29Port, 113Port information, 112Precedes lines with, 54Preview, 83Preview associated files, 91Previous difference, 33
Previous Tool change, 24Print, 12Print Columns, 68Print footers, 47Print headers, 47Print Quality, 36, 39, 65, 67Printer font, 48Printer Setup, 12Program , 14Program directory, 100Program file, 14Program Information, 15Program search, 81Program search with customised search
fields, 82Programs without a customer, 88Programs without a machine group,
88Prompt when unable to undo, 45Protect read only files, 44Protocol, 111Purge, 17, 96Purge All, 17Purge Backups, 95
Rapid speed (mm / min), 62Raw print, 47Receive, 32, 96Receive File, 32Receive into current window, 32Receive timeout in seconds, 116Recent, 12Redo, 21Register additional extensions, 57Register Default extensions, 56Reject Imported File, 18Remember last search, 90Remember password, 90Remember templates, 92Remember window position, 44Remove block numbers, 23Remove characters, 116Remove selected color, 52
INDEX 131
Remove white spaces, 118Remove Whitespaces, 23Rename, 50, 101, 112Replace, 23Replace from top, 46Replace tabs with space, 46Replace tabs with spaces, 118Restart every, 54Restore, 16, 17, 95Restore Latest, 17Rotate, 27Rotate view, 34, 38
Save, 11Save All, 12Save As, 12Save with linefeed type, 57Search for programs, 85Select all, 22Select color, 51Selection only, 25–27Send, 18, 32, 96Send at end of feed, 117Send at start of feed, 117Send at start of reception, 116Send File, 32Send form feed, 47Send XOn, 116Set associated files ’Read Only’, 98Set feedrate, 62Set locked files ’Read Only’, 98Set password, 94Set spindelspeed, 62Set-Up Sheet, 14Setup, 21, 33, 35, 38, 112Setup Prefix, 108Setup sheet template, 106Setup Suffix, 108Show all differences, 59Show COM port, 75Show cycles, 36, 40, 65, 67Show Debug, 72Show file path, 91
Show file types, 91Show filename, 75Show group name, 75Show groups in full sceen mode, 74Show groups when docked, 74Show lines transferred, 75Show links in log, 72Show Manual Control, 71Show Messanger, 72Show only ports allowed by NC-
Base, 73Show plot as positive X/I, 36, 64Show preview below results, 91Show program name, 75Show progress, 75Show progress background, 74Show Progress View, 72Show protocol type, 75Show rapid moves, 35, 38Show replaced count, 46Show Send/Recv/Error colors, 74Show server name, 75Show status, 75Show Status Bar, 41Show System Log, 72Show terminal, 72Show tool, 35, 38Show Toolbars, 41Show transfer time, 75Shows Feed/Speed, 72Shows log, 72Simple math functions, 24Single line step, 59Single step back, 36, 40Single step forward, 37, 40Skip lines containing, 55Skip lines starting with, 55Spaces after blocknumber, 54Start maximized, 43Start renumbering from line con-
taining, 55Start trigger, 116Start with, 54
132 INDEX
Status, 32Stop a long operation, 31Stop bits, 113Stopping file compare, 33Strip leading 0’s, 25Strip trailing 0’s, 25, 28–31Sub-directory, 105Subtraction, 25Synchronize left to right, 33Synchronize right to left, 33Syntax highlight, 47
Template, 48Text, 51, 52Text field 1, 107Text field 2, 107Text field 3, 107Text field 4, 108Text field 5, 108Text field 6, 108Text field 7, 108Text field 8, 108Text field 9, 108Tile horizontally, 42Tile vertically, 42To line, 54To start NC Base Explorer, 80Tool Change, 62Tool Diameter, 39, 66Tool List, 14Tool list template, 105Tool load, 62Tool Prefix, 108Tool Suffix, 108Tool type, 39, 66Toopath unit, 62Translate, 30Translate (X,Y,Z), 31Turning, 35, 64
Un-delete, 95Undelete, 16Undo, 21
Unlock, 18, 95Up/Down arrows, 52UPPER/lower case, 25Uppercase, 23Use approval system, 98Use CIMCO DNC-Max, 97Use colors, 47, 51Use colors in blocks, 51Use decimal point on numeric key-
pad, 61Use locking system, 98Use modal colors, 51Use NC-Base logins, 73Use separate load/and save direc-
tories, 57Use smart marking, 59Use tab to switch window, 59Use template, 47Use UNC names, 97Use virtual space, 45, 46
Value, 25, 51Vertical scroll bar, 45View arcs, 35, 38View from front (YZ/G19), 35, 38View from left, 35, 38View from top (XY/G17), 34, 38View reset, 34, 38
Wait for Xon, 118Warning beeps, 44
Zoom view, 34, 38