Shop Floor Automations (SFA) has enhanced the LAN Connect product to add Ethernet to any CNC machine.
The LAN Connect device acts as an interface between commercially available SD flash memory and any CNC control with an available RS-232 port. Machine tool files can be sent from CNC memory to the LAN Connect device, SD memory to CNC memory or drip fed (DNC) from the SD memory. Flexible CNC communication firmware is built into the unit allowing connection to almost any machine tool control.
The LAN Connect device contains all the necessary hardware to integrate a universal display onto a CNC machine tool pendant. The controller is DIN rail mountable inside the pendant or can be reverse mounted on the display. A two GB SD card is included and can be upgraded by the end user to any size or brand desired to support larger NC programs / storage capacity.
The LAN Connect eliminates having to use DNC software and limitation of RS232 cables. The device connects to any standard Ethernet cable from the corporate network and is assigned an IP address. Using Microsoft Windows operating system or FTP software, the NC program can directly load the files onto the SD card for the operator to use at the CNC machine. The CNC operator can select the file to transfer to the machine using the LCD display. The new enhanced model allows for the operator to remotely call from the control the desired part program from any server on the network via wired or wireless Ethernet connection. A single file location allows programmers to control the CNC file version.
According to the company, connecting the LAN Connect device to a CNC controller allows the machine to run at its maximum baud rate and eliminates an operator from having to run back and forth from PC to machine to begin machine operation. Network Lag Protection (NLP) employs a design to provide network starvation. CNC controls can be extremely sensitive to the flow of data through the RS-232 port. The flow of data, sometimes known as drip feeding, is critical because a stoppage or pause can be a problem in parts being machined. The LAN Connect eliminates this problem by sending the complete part program to the machine prior to operation.
"This device is designed to reduce the cost of adding DNC software required to communicate to machines and enable Ethernet cabling to be used as a standard on the shop floor," said a company spokesperson. "Ease of implementation and connection to the machine can be accomplished with IT departments who normally resist interfacing with CNC machines using serial cabling. The cost to add Ethernet functionality to any machine from the machine tool builder can be very expensive and now can be done at a minimal cost. The LAN Connect device works with any CNC control on the market with a serial port and has been tested with Haas, Fadal, Mazak, Hurco, Yasnac, Cincinnati, Bridgeport, Mitsubishi, Mori Seiki, Siemens, Okuma and others."
For more information contact:
Greg Mercurio, President
Shop Floor Automations, Inc.
5360 Jackson Drive, Suite #202
La Mesa, CA 91942
877-611-5825 / 619-461-4000
info@shopfloorautomations.com
www.shopfloorautomations.com