Milltronics Information Sheet
COMMUNICATIONS
Cabling, Connections, and Configuring
To connect the communications port on the milling machine (COM1) to the
communications port on the PC (COM1 or COM2):
Centurion SLS Software Control
1. Set the parameters on the milling machine control.
from the MAIN MENU, press F7 UTIL, F8 PARAMS, F9 CTRL
2. Use the arrow keys to get down the list to change/verify the parameters.
(use the F3 key to toggle between the options.)
Primary Serial Port is ....................COM1
COM1 Baud Rate = .....................19200
COM1 Parity; Data and Stop Bits ...E/7/2
Secondary Serial Port is ................NONE
Centurion CNC Software Control
1. Set the parameters on the milling machine control.
from the MAIN MENU, press F7 PARAMS, F9 CTRL
2. Use the arrow keys to get down the list to change/verify the parameters.
(use the F3 key to toggle between the options.)
Primary Serial Port is ....................COM1
COM1 Baud Rate = .....................19200
COM1 Parity; Data and Stop Bits ...E/7/2
Secondary Serial Port is ................NONE
PC Computer
Note: the computer may have more than one Serial Port. Other devices that use
COM ports include Printers, Plotters, Mice, and Modems. More than one device
trying to use the same COM port may cause communication conflicts. Additional
ports may need to be added or switch boxes may have to be installed in order to
connect all devices.
1. Identify the Serial Port(s) at the back of the computer. There are two
types generally found - the DB9 and the DB25 connectors. These will be
male connectors with the pins sticking out. (see the diagrams)
2. On the DB9 connector, take a voltage reading between pin #2 and pin #5
(receive pair) and between pin #3 and pin #5 (transmit pair) - the Receive
pair will read some odd voltage, the Transmit pair will read approximately
12 volts DC.
3. On the DB25 connector, take a voltage reading between pin #2 and pin #7
(transmit pair) and between pin #3 and pin #7 (receive pair) - the Transmit
pair will read approximately 12 volts DC, the Receive pair will read some
odd voltage.
4. If there is more than one COM port on the computer, use FastCAM to
send a file to the COM port specified as the Primary Serial Port (see
below). The voltage on the Transmit pair of the Primary Serial Port will
fluctuate while the file is being transmitted and will return to 12 volts DC
when it is finished.
5. Check the DB25 connector on the milling machine in the same way.
6. Wire the cable such that the Transmit pin (pin #2 or pin #3) of the milling
machine is connected to the Receive pin of the computer. The Receive
pin of the milling machine should be connected to the Transmit pin on the
computer. The common pins (pin #5 on the DB9 and pin #7 on the DB25)
should connect to each other.
FastCAM Software
1. Set the parameters in the off-line software.
(similar to the machine control)
FastCAM I - from the MAIN MENU, press F10 UTIL, F10 PARAMS,
F9 CTRL
FastCAM II - from the MAIN MENU, press F7 PARAMS, F9 CTRL
2. Use the arrow keys to get down the list to change/verify the parameters.
(use the F3 key to toggle between the options.)
Primary Serial Port is ....................COM1
COM1 Baud Rate = .....................19200
COM1 Parity; Data and Stop Bits ...E/7/2
Secondary Serial Port is ................NONE
3. The Primary Serial Port selected in the software will have to be chosen to
eliminate conflicts.
4. The Secondary Serial Port can be used to communicate with a second
milling machine. Set the Secondary Serial Port to the one not used as
Primary. When sending a file, choose the proper COM port (milling
machine) by pressing the F1 or F2 key.