We have just purchased a new machine (Fadal 2216FX w/ the Fanuc control) with all the bells and whistles, including part probing (Renishaw OMP40).
This machine is going into a new shop, and we have the ability to start trying some new methods/concepts/ideas.
One such idea is data collection from the machine/probe, for a number of reasons... SPC collection and analysis, historical inspection documentation, AQL reports for the customer, etc. We will be doing this on several machines after we get a good process dialed in.
My concern is this:
We are running PC-DNC in 'always on' mode... the server listens for a signal from each machine; if it hears the 'I need program number 123' signal, then it transmits the program back to the machine.
Our data collection will lean heavily on the DPRINT command to save data from the probe, but I don't know how (or even IF) this is possible with the DNC system.
I have sent several requests to the DNC people (sub-soft.com) about this over the past month, but have received no reply.
We've got 4 weeks before we see the new machine, so I can still wait a while for them to get back to me, but I was wanting to not wait till the last minute.
This is still in the 'proof of concept' stage, but I want to make sure it's even going to work before spending a lot of time developing a system.
Does anyone know how well DPRINT works with an always-on DNC connection?
If need be, I can go with a cable switch box at the machine and run a line to a separate PC, or even just hook up a printer directly, but I would like to know what sort of solutions have been found already.
Thanks.