USB LAN Connect Operation Guide
Overview
The USB LAN Connect is an all-in-one device that can transfer programs to and from a USB drive as well as act as an FTP server via a local SD card.
Requirements
The USB LAN Connect device will work with a CNC control that has a standard DB25 RS-232 serial connection to the control box for the purposes of input/output of CNC data. Typically, the CNC manufacturer refers this as read and punch tape functions. Power can be obtained from the CNC machine tool.
If you own a Mazak Model, review USB LAN and USB Connect Mazak Model Settings for more information.
Navigating the Menus
There are three buttons on the panel of the USB LAN Connect device. The outer buttons are used to control the cursor in order to highlight options from a menu or file selection. The cursor is typically shown bracketing items with > and < symbols. The center button typically selects the options or files highlighted with the > and < symbols.
The USB LAN Connect does not support long Windows type file names. Use a DOS type
8.3 file format with the LAN Connect. 8.3 filenames have at most eight characters, optionally followed by a "." and a filename extension of at most three characters, e.g. part1234.txt.
Main Menu
The following is the main menu displayed upon application of power. The outer buttons are used to adjust the item to be selected either up or down. The center button is used to select the function that is highlighted with the > < symbols. The descriptions of each function are described later in the KB.
USB Flash Drive Removal
It is important to leave the USB flash drive connected when in use. Otherwise, corruption of the USB flash drive may occur. Typically, a blinking USB flash drive indicates files are being used and the device should not be disturbed. The USB flash drive may be removed safely when the USB Connect unit is at the Main menu and the USB flash drive is not blinking.
CNC to File Menu Selection
With this selection, CNC data can be sent directly to the USB flash drive or FTP server memory. The file name used to transmit CNC data is generated automatically*. If a different name file name is desired, select ‘Dir’. ‘Dir’ will display the directory. A different file name can be typed in by selecting [type File].
Upon selecting CNC To File, you are presented with two storage device options, choose accordingly
USB Files (Most Common) - This is the USB flash drive attached to the USB port of the USB LAN Connect. Choose this option if you're using the USB port.
SD Files - This is the SD card and acts as the FTP server memory. Choose this option if you're using the USB LAN Connect as a FTP server.
Press the button under the Start option to prepare the storage method to receive a file from the CNC. Press the button under the Cancel option to return to the main menu without creating a file. Once the “Start” has been pressed, a file send operation (punch) from the CNC should be initiated.
Automatic File Name Selection
All files saved to the storage device 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 storage device. If the largest sequence numbered file name number found is CNC15.TXT, then the next file name created will be CNC16.TXT.
File to CNC Menu Selection
With this menu selection, a file on the storage device can be sent directly to the CNC. The first files shown on the display are files on the ftp server memory from the most recently accessed directory. First you will need to select [SD Files] or [USB Files] depending on whether you wish to pull the file from the SD Card or the USB flash drive. Use the buttons on the right and the left to highlight a particular file, highlight [type file] to type in a file name, or select a new sub directory to display. Press the center button to make the selection desired.
Shown in this example screen above, the MOLD.TXT file is highlighted. Select the center key to prepare the file to be sent. A new screen will appear showing the file to be sent along with a Start and Cancel display. Before pressing the Start button, prepare the CNC control to receive a file. When the CNC is ready to accept a file, press the center button associated with the Start button on the screen. Press the right button to cancel this operation and return to the main menu. Use the View option to view the contents of the file selected before sending the file to the CNC.
After pressing Start, the CNC should now receive the data file selected. In the example above, file data contained in MOLD.TXT will be sent to the CNC. When the transmission is complete, the display will return to the main menu. On some machines, the operator may have to press cancel to return to the main menu after transmission of a file.
DNC Menu Selection
DNC, i.e. 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.
With DNC selection, a file on the storage device can be sent directly to the CNC while the control is in Automatic mode. This function provides a way to ‘run’ a program off the storage device. The first files shown on the display are files on the storage device from the most recently selected directory. Use the buttons on the right and the left to highlight a particular file, highlight [type file] to type in a file name or select a new sub directory to display. Press the center button to make the selection desired.
Shown in this example screen shot, the MOLD.TXT file is highlighted and selected. Press the Start button. This will prepare the USB LAN Connect for DNC or “drip feed operation”. Next, place the CNC in Automatic or DNC mode. The USB LAN Connect will begin sending the file when the CNC is put in DNC or Automatic Mode.
It is important to prepare the USB LAN Connect first when using software handshaking.
Auto-rewind
Once a file has been sent to the control, the USB LAN Connect will “rewind” to the beginning of the program. In order to repeat the file, simply press start again to machine another part as many times as desired. Press the right button to cancel this operation and return to the main menu.
Select Options to display the options menu as shown below in the example. The options menu allows for mid-tape starts and preparatory lines to be added to the file that has been selected.
Use the Mid-tape start option to do a block search of the file selected for DNC. DNC will start at the block of NC code that contains the mid-tape text entered. For example, suppose the operator were to type in N1000.2. DNC will begin when a block that contains "N1000.2" is found.
An N word can be added to a single line of the file in order to establish a starting block number.
Use the Preparatory data option to insert text before the file that is selected for DNC. For example, the operator might want to make a tool change prior to running a file or position the Z axis. To do this, the operator would enter the appropriate NC codes to make a tool change like T4M6.
The mid-tape or preparatory text can be typed using the left and the right buttons under the display. The Scroll function is used to increment to another letter or number. Use the Next function to accept that character and move to the next character in the text. Use the Cont. function to accept this as the file name. A character can be deleted by pressing the Left and Right buttons at the same time.
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
Set the Baud Rate to communicate to the CNC. The baud rate is the number of bits per second the RS-232 serial port will communicate. The available choices are:
- 1200
- 2400
- 4800
- 9600
- 19,200
- 38,400
- 57,600
- 115,200
Data/Parity/Stop
Set the number of Data, Parity and Stop bits used for serial communication. This setting is typically fixed on a CNC. Refer the CNC’s manual for the proper combination. The following choices are available:
- 7 data, Even parity and 1 stop bit
- 7 data, Even parity and 2 stop bit
- 8 data, no parity and 1 stop bit
- 8 data, no parity and 2 stop bit
Flow Control
Flow control sets the streaming method of data to and from the CNC. This is typically a fixed method. Refer to the CNC manual to determine which type is used by the CNC. Hardware flow control uses two RS-232 signals (CTS and RTS) to start and stop data transmission. Software flow control uses XON/XOFF
characters to start and stop data transmission. Software flow control is the preferred and easiest method to implement. This method is recommended.
When the Software flow control method is used, the current XON or XOFF that has been received during transmission will be displayed on the right of the display. Use this feedback to determine if the USB LAN Connect 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. The next most common is the Teletype end of block, which is line feed/carriage return. This parameter value will be the end of block that is used when sending data to the CNC. When data is received from a CNC, a carriage return/line feed end of block is always used so the file can be viewed when view the file using a computer.
The following choices are available:
- CR LF
- LF CR
- LF CR CR
- LF
- CR
- None/binary
Use the ‘None/binary’ for controls that do not use text files or a file that does not contain control characters. For example, Mazak has an optional non-G code file system that will not work in text mode. The USB LAN Connect will transfer those files when the binary option is selected.
End of Block Delay
Delay set a pause at the end of a block of data. Typically, this is set to ‘no delay’ to ensure the fastest data communication at the selected baud rate. Choose a delay if the CNC manufacturer requests a delay at the end of a block or if the CNC is losing blocks of data in the program. This feature is typically used for older CNC’s with low communication and baud rate capability.
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 your file already contains a % at the beginning, set to none so duplicate % signs are not sent.
The following choices are available:
- %
- null char
- none
End of Tx
This function sets the character that will be sent after sending data in the selected file. The most common character used is the percent, %. Choose the setting as specified by the CNC manual.
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 end character.
Probe RS-232
This function shows the current RS-232 levels present. This can be used to help diagnosis serial issues.
Start Rx
This sets how the USB LAN Connect will initiate receiving a file. Some machines require an initial XON to begin the transmission. Most machines do not, so the ‘automatic’ setting will work for most machines.
USB LAN Connect FTP Server
The USB LAN Connect defaults to IP address 192.168.1.111. If a different IP address is desired, use a PC to create a text file on the SD card with the file name LANCNC.INI in the root directory. This file must be text only and have carriage returns at end of each line.
To change the IP address of the USB LAN Connect to 192.168.2.101, the contents of the LANCNC.INI file should look like this:
IP address=192.168.2.101
IP mask=255.255.255.0
IP gateway=0.0.0.0
IP DNS=0.0.0.0
Remember the last number on the IP address will be that CNC’s “number.” To access the files on that CNC’s LAN Connect FTP server, type in “ftp://192.168.2.101” in a web browser to view the directory contents stored on the machines 2GB SD card.
Related Articles
USB LAN Connect Installation Guide
Overview This manual is intended to provide the installation procedure for the USB LAN Connect pendant-mounted device. Requirements The USB LAN Connect device will work with a CNC control with a standard DB25 RS-232 serial connection to the control ...LAN Connect Operation Guide
Overview This KB is intended to provide a description of the LAN Connect network FTP data server. The LAN Connect 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 ...USB Connect Operation Guide
Overview This KB is intended as an operation manual for the USB Connect devices. This will apply to both the pendant mount and portable model. Requirements The USB Connect device will work with a CNC control with a standard DB25 RS-232 serial ...How to Update USB LAN and LAN Connect Firmware
Requirement USB LAN or LAN Connect unit with a working network connection USB LAN or LAN Connect firmware file Preparation Download AutoUpdate (link) Download Firmware (link) Update the USB LAN or LAN Connect Firmware First, the USB LAN or LAN ...How to change the USB LAN Connect Time Zone
Overview How to change the time zone and set a time server in the USB LAN Connect INI file. Setting Time Zone Add the following to the .INI file "TIME ADJUST=##" ## = Time zone number e.g. "TIME ADJUST=-7" is Pacific Daylight Time or PDT Setting ...