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BTRs & DNC Systems Advanced Digital Research, Inc. the leading supplier of DNC (Distributed Numerical Control) hardware and software |
Factory Network FAQ
General | |
| Question: How does ADR technical support system work? | Your local ADR Representative should be able to answer all of your questions, but should something beyond this be needed, ADR can be directly contacted for technical support. Our technical support phone line is manned during normal work hours in California, and is supported after hours by a 24 hour operators who can page a customer support engineer - he will return your call as soon as possible. |
| Question: How do I buy ADR products? | Call ADR and order direct or ask for the name of a local representative. Our representatives are trained, skilled service organizations. You can trust them to provide proper service and support. |
FTP DNC FAQ | |
| Question: What hardware do I need for FTP DNC? | You must have a (10BaseT Ethernet) LAN(local area network). The LAN consists of hubs and cables, interconnecting PCs and machines. PCs need network interface cards. Machines that do not have FTP built into them can use a LanTap device to convert RS232 into FTP communication. |
| Question: What software do I need to use FTP DNC? | You need an FTP server software running on your DNC Server computer. ADR can supply one if you do not already have it. |
| Question: Do I need a hand-held terminal to make FTP requests? | No, you can work without one, but your CNC must be able to output requests which are then interpreted by the LanTap. |
| Question: Can a server support multiple FTP servers? | Yes, but each one must have a unique FTP Port number |
| Question: What if I have a machine with an AMI BTR attached, can I use it with FTP? | Yes, all you need is to add a LanTap. |
| Question: What are IP addresses? | TCP/IP uses IP addresses to route data between nodes, and FTP uses IP addressing. Each computer and machine has a 32 bit IP address, which can be related to a simple name. |
| Question: Isn't MAC addressing simpler? | No, MAC refers to data-link addressing. The whole idea of networking is based on standard protocols, and compatiblity between computers and programs requires use of these standards. Failure to use IP addressing will quickly lead to incompatiblity. |
BTR FAQ | |
| Question: Can the AMI drip-feed? | Yes, the AMI can use its 128K memory as a "first in- first out" buffer. In this mode the AMI allows any size program to be sent to the CNC |
| Question: How long can the host cable be? | 4,000 ft in RS422 mode. In RS232 mode the distance is determined by the type of wire and baud rate. The RS232 EIA standard specifies only 50 ft of cable at 20,000 baud, but allows doubling of the length for each halving of the baud rate. 100 ft at 9600 and 200 ft at 4800, and 400 ft at 2400 is well within specification. |
| Question: What machines do you have support for? | See our control chart. We have interfaces for hundreds of machines, and are constantly adding new machines to our list. |
| Question: Can I continue to use my tape reader? | Yes, our installation adapts to the machines standard reader input so normally you can easily re-attach the reader or switch back to the reader via an A/B Switch. It is also possible to use the tape reader as an input device to the PC via the AMI, so you can read your tapes into your computer for later download to the CNC. |
| Question: Does the AMI handle loading of executive tapes? | Yes, the AMI emulates all the tape reader functions including loading of the controls executive program. You must convert the executive to a computer file, and have communication software capable of sending BINARY data via the COM port. We have done this as a service for many customers. |
| AMI reader emulation trouble shooting | |
| The 84 page AMI hardware Technical Reference provided with each AMI has an extensive section on troubleshooting. Here are some tips in case you have lost your manual. | |
| Symptom: Nothing is happening! | |
| Question: Does the AMI Green LED light up? | Maybe power is not being provided to the AMI, or there could be broken wire or loose connection to the blue power jack |
| Symptom: Green LED is ON but No communication! | |
| Question Are you using a cable you just built? | Try using ADR's supplied host cable rather than your cable. You may have to move a computer close to the machine to use it. |
| Question: Are you sure you built the host cable correctly? | Check the pinout against the cable chart. |
| Question: Is your software set to use the right data communication parameters? | Set your PC for 9600,7E2 or 9600,8N2 depending on whether you are using ISO or binary data. Default baud rate is 9600. |
| Question: Are you sure you are plugged into the right connector on the PC? | Serial ports on the back of a PC are eight 9 pin male or 25 pin male connectors. A female connector may be printer connector - or worse a document scanner - could have power on pins that could damage the AMI. |
| Question: Do you have the modem lines connected in a NULL MODEM configuration? | The AMI does not use modem lines - XON/XOFF protocol must be used - the PC may not output until the modem lines are driven right even though you have selected XON/XOFF protocol in your software. |
| Question: When you press the RESET button on the AMI do you see a copyright notice come out of the AMI? | If you do then communication from the AMI is ok, the problem must be one-way to the AMI. Check the transmit wire from the PC to the AMI. If the copyright notice does not appear then communication both ways is not working - check connections again. |
| Question: Is there a jumper on RS232 position (AMI has four jumper positions) | You may have made a test with RS422 and forgot to switch back to RS232. |
| Question: Are you sure that there is not a conflict with another software program using the same COM port? | A mouse driver or serial printer driver could be using the port - disable these drivers/programs. |
| Symptom: Can get into AMI setup, communication is ok, but CNC does not do anything! | |
| Question: Is the AMI connected to the CNC correctly? | Check that the cable/adapter is attached to AMI J5 and the cable goes to the right connector on the CNC. |
| Question: Is the AMI set to the parameters specified by ADR's application note for the machine? | Each parameter is critical to proper operation - verify each one. |
| Question: Is there a valid program in the AMI prior to you starting the CNC running? | Start with a short simple program - be sure it has a "%", "M30", and leader/trailer codes if they are necessary. |
Tel (949)252-1055 Fax (949)252-1490
Copyright 2007 Advanced Digital Research, Inc. - all rights reserved. Revised Jan 21, 2007.