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VR CNC Milling For Windows Quickstart Guide
VR CNC Milling For Windows Quickstart Guide
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction Contents ................................................................................................................................ 1 About this Quickstart Guide ................................................................................................... 2 Conventions used in this Quickstart Guide ............................................................................3 Introduction to the VR CNC Milling Software ......................................................................... 4 Minimum System Requirements ............................................................................................ 5 Section 2: Preparing for Software Installation Hardware Connections ..........................................................................................................6 The Denford Security Dongle ................................................................................................ 7 Section 3: VR CNC Milling Software Installation VR CNC Milling Software Installation .................................................................................... 8 Section 4: Starting the VR CNC Milling Software Connecting the Security Dongle .......................................................................................... 11 Starting the Software for the First Time ............................................................................... 12 VR CNC Milling Software Documentation ........................................................................... 13 General Layout of the Software Screen .............................................................................. 14 Using the Online Tutorials ................................................................................................... 15 Section 5: Configuring the Software to drive a real Denford CNC Machine Machine Specific Configuration Disk ................................................................................... 16 Configuring your COM Port Settings ................................................................................... 19 Section 6: Software Registration and Support Technical Support ................................................................................................................ 20
Denford Limited reserves the right to alter any specifications and documentation without prior notice. No part of this guide or its accompanying documents may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Denford Limited. All brands and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright Denford Limited - VR CNC Milling for Windows Quickstart Guide Version 1.2 - 2000. All rights reserved. VR CNC Milling for Windows Quickstart Guide 1
Disclaimer
Screenshots
CNC refers to Computer Numerical Control, the automatic system used to control a machine tool. A G and M code is a series of letters and numbers that make up the language used by CNC machinery. MDI refers to Manual Data Input, the entering of data by manual means rather than transferral by CD-ROM or floppy disk.
2: Hardware Connections
Ancillary Equipment, such as this printer, connects to the Parallel port on the PC.
Com Port. 9 to 25 pin adapters may be required to make the connectors fit the sockets on the PC.
Note
Users wishing to connect a real Denford CNC machine to their computers should refer to the schematic included in their separate Denford CNC Machine Manual.
The parallel port is usually positioned on the back panel of your computer - a long, thin 25 pin male connector plug. Note that your parallel port may be labelled as the printer port. The security dongle has a pass-through feature, allowing data to be sent to other external devices, such as printers, scanners or zip drives, when the VR CNC Milling software is not being used. Simply plug the parallel port cable, supplied with your external device, directly into the back of the security dongle.
The security dongle fits onto the parallel (printer) port on the back panel of your computer.
Note
Use the CDROM labelled "Denford Virtual Reality CNC Milling for Windows".
8) Restart your computer before running the VR CNC Milling software for the first time. Once the software has been installed, we recommend you place the "Denford Virtual Reality CNC Milling for Windows" CD-ROM in a safe dry location.
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To find out more about the features and options available in the software, use the comprehensive online documentation, presented in Windows Help format. Online VR CNC Milling documentation is accessed using the "Help" menu title, shown below. Move your mouse cursor down the dropdown list, then highlight and click the "VR CNC Milling" option to open the Windows Helpfile.
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Note
Use the CDROM labelled "Denford Virtual Reality CNC Milling for Windows".
Adobe Acrobat Documentation The Denford Milling Manuals Suite contains Adobe Acrobat versions of our software and hardware manuals, including: The EPROM Chipset Upgrade Guide. The VR CNC Milling for Windows Quickstart Guide (the Acrobat version of this manual). Denford CNC Machine Manuals. The VR CNC Milling Software Manual. The installation program for the Denford VR Milling Manuals Suite is contained in the manuals folder of your "Denford Virtual Reality CNC Milling for Windows" CD-ROM. Double-click the Setup.exe file to begin the installation program.
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3D Simulation Window.
Docked Toolbars.
Note
Not all the VR CNC Milling software option windows are shown in the example screenshot.
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Each tutorial section is designed to help you to start using all the different features in the VR CNC Milling software. If you are new to using VR CNC Milling software, we recommend that you follow the entire course from start to finish. The full course should take around 1 hour to complete.
VR CNC Milling for Windows Quickstart Guide 15
Note
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Note
How are the additional files used? The INI file (for example, router.ini) is stored on your computer and used to enable the VR CNC Milling software to control any optional hardware (such as an Automatic Tool Changer) and configure the VR CNC Milling software with your CNC machine operational parameters (such as limits of movement). When you first connect to your CNC machine using the VR CNC Milling software, the MNT file (for example, router.mnt) is downloaded to your CNC machine. The file contains parameters relating to the operational characteristics of your CNC machine.
5) The setup program will automatically install the files to the path stated in the "Destination folder" panel (below circled left). This should be the area where VR CNC Milling was originally installed. If not, select the area of your hard-disk where the VR CNC Milling software was installed, using the [browse] button (below circled right).
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Note
The files on the "Machine Specific Configuration" floppy disk are written specifically for your Denford CNC machine they must not be used with any other Denford CNC hardware. Should the internal battery in your CNC machine require replacement, the files will need to be reinstalled. Therefore, we recommend you place the "Machine Specific Configuration" floppy disk in a safe dry location.
7) Once the additional files from the "Machine Specific Configuration" floppy disk are installed on your computer, restart the VR CNC Milling software. The titlebar should display the words "Virtual Reality CNC Milling -", followed by the name of your CNC machine. This indicates that the VR CNC Milling software has been successfully configured to drive your Denford CNC machine. In the example below, the VR CNC Milling software is configured to drive a Denford Microrouter.
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6: Technical Support
Denford Limited provides unlimited Technical Support on this software. Technical Support is only available to registered users. If your software was not registered with Denford Limited at the point of sale, e-mail or fax your registration details to Denford Limited, or your authorised Denford shipping agent as soon as possible. When you request Technical Support, please be at your computer, with your computer and software documentation to hand. To minimise delay, please be prepared to provide the following information: Dongle Serial Number. Registered user's name / company name. Software name and version number (found in the "Help|About" menu). The wording of any error messages that appear on your computer screen. A list of the steps that were taken to lead up to the problem.
Contact Details: Denford Limited, Birds Royd, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1NB, UK. Telephone: 01484 712264 Fax: 01484 722160 ISDN: 01484401157:01484401161 E-mail: service@denford.co.uk Technical Support: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm GMT For USA please contact: Denford Inc. 815 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio 44256, USA. Telephone: 330 7253497 Fax: 330 7253297 E-mail: service@denford.com Technical Support: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm Eastern http://www.denford.com
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