Hi / there are CAMs and CNCs and utilitieswhat you need is a code interpretor - translator, and i doubt that you will find it easyyou may build a dictionary and use it, but it may be faster to recreate those programs from zeroby the way, how many programs are there? Do you have CAM files for them?start with one program at a time, and develop. The parts that are in question are from the 50s and 60s and do not have solids. These parts are mostly for service work on antiquated products.Okay the product is antiquated, but do you have the original.MCX file for the Cincinnati's? If 'Yes', then that is an easy answer, just change Machine definition, Control definition and post file for the Fanuc control, and re-post.But I suspect you don't, if that is true, you have a long road ahead of you. I looked at the link that Grief1 posted, I don't think that will help you since this is mainly a syntax change G-code to G-code.
BUT also a different machine with different needs and defaults.Realistically, if you don't have the original.MCX files-You should rewrite them ALL in Mastercam, so you have the file on hand. But if your boss is like mine, that appears to be a lot of time on the computer not making parts. Sucks sometimes. You can get very proficient with G-code and after a while of changing the programs over 'manually' one at a time, you will get good, I promise. The biggest problem with that is that those programs will need to be proven out very carefully again and again.So the choice is manually re-write all the G-code programs, or write new.MCX files.R. I am a programmer at a shop that has programs from the 1990's that they would like to transfer from the old g-code to a modern post, from a machine we no longer own to a newer (completely different format) machine.
We sold off our 4 or 5 Cincinnati and we have moved to fanuc controlled machines.We currently use Kipware CNC Exchange, and it is not really cutting the muster, My plea to y'all is WHAT TRANSFER SOFTWARE RULES THEM ALL? My company really needs this please.Tom.Hello Tom,PM sent.Regards,Bill. Until we can find a company who specializes in this kind of mattercam producers i doubt there are companies specialized in this area.how many types of old codes do you have? Turning, live axis, 5 axis, etc. How many types?try sharing a code sample for each type.also, each type, on how many different controls is it availabe?
Turning for 50 different lathe controls. Milling 3 axis for 1234 different mill control. Milling 5 axis for 23 different controls, etchow many different old controls are there?
Super easy to use DNC software for Haas/FANUC controls. Designed for Windows 10 64-bit (backwards compatible with Windows 7/8). Works with the RS232 interface of most CNC controls and similar devices. The best DNC software for use with Haas controls.
You need a code mapping for each type of old control, and it would be nice if you would have itsomething like that. Kitten- Thank you, The number of different controller types are numerous, we have had 5-6 different 'fanboy leaders' (People who like a certain brand of machine for no particular reason except they have had minor experience with it in the past) Our current president has requested one of us programmers take the lead on bringing our 'obsolete' parts into the 21st century. I have only been here for 7 months and I have been here the longest (programmer wise) my previous experience was not nearly this indepth (job shop programmer positions, and then 15 years of machining prior to my 5 years of programming. I am slowly learning how to write posts and other attributes that is involved in our world.
So any tips and tricks I can pick up along the way. And if there is any classes (online or brick and mortar) that will also be greatly appreciated.Tom. Hy / as you said, there are thousands of programs. But, lets say that tomorrow they will all be converted so you worry no moreall those programs, will be all running on the new machines in 1 day? 1 year?those old programs, what is the timelapse that they cover?
10 years?and what is the chance of their repetability?dont you think that it would be easier to simply program the parts without messing with the old version?what is your opinion? Do you think that this request is needed? Is it justified? I guess you are aware of the amount of work that it involves.onestly, those programs are like a heritage, and something does not sounds well, so to put a 7months guy to convert them. This has no conection with your experince, but it does not sound well to meare those parts complex? Just take a look with your colegues and take a decision.
![Cnc File Transfer Software Cnc File Transfer Software](http://connectcnc-dnc.com/Images/ConnCNC_feed.png)
Try the easy way: keep the drawings and delete the old files. Hey guys,I am a new member but I have been using this site to find my way around CNC's for some time. Anyways, I registered specifically to answer to this thread. I began editing programs last year for the shop and I would get bogged down having to convert an entire family of parts from 1 machine to the next so I started looking for a transfer program.
We eventually purchased and we have been pretty happy with it ever since. Just thought i'd pass this along since this site has helped me out so much.Thanks!
Drip feed with microsoft terminal???you mean hyperterminal? I use it to transfer cnc files by rs-232 serial port.what parameters or how do you get it to drip feed?do you just slow baud rate? Or use software or hardware handshaking?forgive me for asking, i have never tried DNCI used three wires and Xon Xoff communication. I had to set the machine then go to the computer and start feeding the program. I think I was using 4800 Baud.Actually it's the old 'TERMINAL' program, Before Hyper terminal. I confess I didn't figure it out in Hyper.
![Send cnc program via serial rs232 Send cnc program via serial rs232](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125508301/463378337.jpg)
So I don't know how it works there.Back in the day of Windows 3.1. Waaaay back,I have a copy and how to set it up if your interested.You will want do do some simple tricks to make it comfortable to use; but it does a smooth job.When I was using two iterations of it, one for each machine I was worried what might happen if both machines needed 'code' at the same time. You could watch it stair step up alternating between machines.In 2.5D machining there is time between commands as you mill the side of a part (for instance) which gives plenty of time for Terminal to feed the other machine.I used to run both machines and play Solitare at the same time on an old 286 computer.When the machines needed 'code' the Solitare card being flipped would hang in the air until the machine was fed.Fun to watch. Thank you for DNC infoXon and Xoff so when machine is ready for more CNC sends ok to send more every so many bits or bytes and computer sends it til given signal to stop. Same as 2 computers sending a file from one to another.Microsoft Terminal I would have to find old Win3.1 computer. Hyperterminal works although sometimes it malfunctions (not sure why) and computer needs restart.
I have other software that came with mastercam for rs-232 sending files. It might DNC if I set Xon and Xoff software flow control.
Mastercam software has built in text editor. I send file to CNC and send it back to computer to see if 'translation' by CNC is ok(edit if needed). Then i send it back to CNC.So on some machines that use no flow control DNC would not work, but newer machines that use software flow control (handshaking) might be able to DNC. Prototrak Plus mill has no rs-232 flow control.
But Prototrak AGE mill I think might have it so maybe can do DNC. This would be useful as Prototrak has memory or file size limit of about 20kb or 330 lines of gcode.Thank you I will try DNC.