LANCNC-RMT FTP LAN network data server for CNC Controls with remote access to outside data storage devices 2008-2011 Calmotion LLC, All rights reserved Calmotion LLC 9909 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #322 Chatsworth, CA 91311 www.calmotion.
Introduction This manual is intended to provide a description of the Calmotion LANCNC-RMT CNC network FTP data server. The LANCNC-RMT is an FTP server with at least 2 GB of local memory stored on a removable SD card. Data can be accessed over a LAN network as well as from an SD card mounted on the LANCNC-RMT. Requirements The LANCNC-RMT device will work with any CNC control with a standard DB25 RS232 serial connection for the purposes of input/output of CNC data.
The LANCNC acts as an FTP server for file storage that an operator can access at the control panel on a CNC. Connection to the FTP server can be done with standard software tools that are provided with most PC’s and special software is not required. The most popular of these are Explorer and Internet Explorer from Microsoft. Anyone on the network can drag and drop files to the CNC server where they can be transferred to machine memory or drip fed (DNC).
Different types of SD cards can be used. SD/MMC cards can be used up to 2GB and SDHC cards up to 8GB. Creating Sub-directories Directories cannot be created directly using an FTP protocol. In order to create directories on the SD card, create the directory first on the PC and then copy and paste the directory onto the LANCNC FTP. An alternative is to create directories directly onto the SD card. Remove the SD card from the LANCNC and insert it into a PC to create the directories.
*More about the Automatic File Name Selection: All files saved to the ftp server memory storage use a file name with the following structure: CNC####.TXT The number will be the next number in the sequence of the files found on the ftp server. If the largest sequence numbered file name number found is CNC15.TXT, the next file name created will be CNC16.TXT. File to CNC Menu Selection In File to CNC mode, a file on the ftp server memory can be sent directly to the CNC.
*(DNC, Direct Numerical Control, may not be available on all CNCs. Check with the machine’s User Manual to determine if this is available on the CNC control). [type file] CNC16.TXT >MOLD.TXT< NEXTJOB
Shown in this example screen shot, the MOLD.TXT file is highlighted. When selected, a new screen will appear as shown below. Press the Start button. The LANCNC-RMT will be placed in a waiting mode until it received a command from the CNC to start sending the file.Next function to accept that character and move to the next character in the text. The Cont. function is used to accept the data string. A character can be deleted by pressing the Left and Right buttons at the same time. Using the [type file] function Directory listings on the LANCNC always have a [type file] option in the directory list. This function allows the operator to insert characters to various functions.
Setup Menu Selection The Setup selection allows settings to be established for the RS-232 serial communication with the CNC. Highlight the parameter option from the list. Press the center button to select the highlighted option. >Baud Rate< Flow Control End Of Block Delay Baud Rate Set the Baud Rate to communicate to the CNC with. The baud rate is the number of bits per second in which the RS-232 serial port will communicate.
to CNC: MOLD.TXT XON XOFF Cancel When the Software flow control method is used, the most current XON or XOFF received during transmission will be displayed on the right of the display. Use this feedback to determine if the LANCNC unit is receiving XON or XOFF characters. End of Block Char End of block sets the format for end of block characters. The most common end of block is the carriage return/ line feed used by most PC computers.
Start of Tx This sets the character that will be sent prior to sending data in the selected file. The most common character used is the percent, %. Choose a setting as specified in the CNC manual. If the character is already in the NC files then select “none” so the character is not sent twice. The following choices are available: % null char none Use the null character for controls the need an ASCII char 0 to be used as the start character.
Notes: The LANCNC does not support long Windows type file names. Use a DOS type 8.3 file format with the LANCNC. 8.3 filenames have at most eight characters, optionally followed by a "." and a file name extension of at most three characters. Selecting Different Media Sources (SD or Remote locations) With the LANCNC-RMT version, directories and files may be selected from either a local SD card or from a server located on the network.
SERVER.INI File Parameters The SERVER.INI file contains the parameters used by the LANCNC to configure the available access to the oeprator. Names of FTP servers can be added or removed to tailor the LANCNC-RMT for each machine. Type the parameter names exactly as shown below. Use all capital letters without spaces. Finish each parameter line with a carriage return by pressing the enter key in the editor used. SD=NO If this parameter is inclueded, it will disable access to the SD card.
Manage File Menu To copy, view, delete or rename files on the SD card or a remote server, choose the Manage File selection from the following menu. This menu is available from the Main Menu by selecting Next Menu. Select: Manage File Setup Help Main Menu The management menu will be displayed with options to operate on files that reside either locally on the SD card or remotely on a FTP server defined in the SERVERS.INI file. Return to Menu Copy to ...
Deciding on a network configuration There are several ways to design a network. Some knowledge and experience with setting up networks is recommended prior to installation. The simplest example, as shown below, is a peer-to-peer network where there are only two devices connected. Other examples shown expand the number of computers and LANCNC-RMT's on the network.
2. Select “Network Connections” and the following screen should appear. Figure 2 3. Highlight the “Local Area Connection” and right click the mouse. A box should appear. Select “Properties” and a new box should appear.
4. Select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” so that it is highlighted and click the “Properties” button. A new screen will pop up. Select the button “Use the following IP address:” and type in an address of 192.168.2.101. The sub-net mask should be 255.255.255.0. Click “OK”. The “Local Area Connection Properties” menu will be displayed. Click “Close”. There will be a slight delay while your PC applies these new settings. Figure 4 5. You may exit from the Control Panel.
Figure 5 Follow the instructions that come up in Internet Explorer to view the files in an ftp viewer window. (Click “Page”, and then click “Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer” in the drop down box.
Figure 6 The figure above shows the display on a PC when the ftp site has been opened from the step 5 above. From this screen, files can transferred from any file folder on a PC and the FTP site. In order to create a new directory on the FTP site, create a file folder somewhere on a PC such as “My Documents”. Select the folder and drag and drop with a mouse to the ftp window shown above. The file directory as well as any files inside the directory will be copied to the LANCNC ftp site.
Example 2. Wired Network connection to the LANCNC using a router The diagram below shows a wired network configuration using a network router. The router connects multiple networking devices together. Calmotion LANCNC DB25 RS-232 Serial CNC CAT 5 Ethernet Computer CAT 5 Ethernet CAT 5 Ethernet Router The Internet CAT 5 Ethernet Calmotion LANCNC Calmotion LANCNC DB25 RS-232 Serial DB25 RS-232 Serial CNC CNC The IP address of the router is required to setup the LANCNC.
The following is an example of a typical network router LAN configuration page. One typically accesses the LAN settings via a web browser and enters the router's IP address. In this example, it is 192.168.2.1. A B C Figure 7 A This is the IP address of the router. Entering 192.168.2.1 into a web browser will access the displayed router settings pages shown. The first three numbers will need to be the same as those on the Calmotion LANCNC-RMT devices.
Example 3. Wireless Network connection to the LANCNC using a router and a Wireless Bridge The diagram below shows a Wireless Network connection to the LANCNC using a router and a Wireless Bridge. It is suggested to use the router settings shown in the previous section. This configuration will use the wireless router with wireless bridging turned on to connect to another wireless router set up as an access point.
Use the following step-by-step procedure to setup the router and access point. These settings are based on using a Belkin Wireless G router and access point. Router Configuration: 1. Open a Web Browser 2. In the address bar, type http://192.168.2.1 3. Click on Wireless Bridge in the left hand column under Wireless 4. Enter your password if any and click Submit 5. Check the box that says Enable Wireless Bridging, click Apply Changes. 6.
