Guide to Installing a New Machine

For users attempting to setup a new machine within the Installed Machines database, the following considerations and procedures need to be in place in order for the new Post Processor to output and write NC in the correct format.

Consideration	Questions and Answers
HASP Key compatibility.	Does the HASP key inserted have the correct post processor enabled? Please contact your supplier who can issue you with the relevant update file to enable the HASP key for the new post processor. Run the Update LOK (hupdate.exe) to update the key with the relevant HUP file sent through.
Post Processor file	Has your supplier sent the relevant post processor file (.VPL) which works with the machine in question? Once the HASP key is enabled with the post processor option, the post processor in question has a VPL file which gets installed when installing an update from the MAP-Software.com website or can be emailed to you on request. The VPL file(s) gets installed or placed inside the working directory of the software (C:\MAP-Software\CAM) and then configured from File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Setup Controller Tab Use Post Processor drop down menu.
Configuration	Has your software supplier sent a default machine setup (MCH folder) for your machine which includes default tool settings? With any new machine being installed, we recommend you start from a default machine setup. Default settings for your machine can be sent through by MAP Software, who can advise you on how this can be obtained. This is to be installed inside the active database as a sub folder. (i.e. MAP-Software/Shared/Database/Burny.mch). From within the software File Setup Installed Machines, users can select the Include button to add in the default machine setup. Selecting the machine and highlighting green enables this for the default when writing NC. Has the machine Origin Point and Start points been configured? Within the Machine tab File Setup Installed Machines Setup Machine tab Preset Points, Preset Points need defining for each of the points in use. The Origin point must be the machine 0,0 point. Please see help documentation for how to detect the Origin of the machine. Has the machines X, Y table size been entered? All machines need to be given the X and Y dimensions from the File Setup Installed Machines Setup Machine tab Dimensions for Rail and Beam. Are the controller settings needing to be changed? File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Setup Controller Tab, Controller information needs to be considered as this effects the NC data being written. Has the post been selected and determined whether it is Word Address or ESSI code for particular models and with the correct file extension .B3, .MP? Is the Motion in Absolute or Relative? Is there a Machine Offset required? How many decimal places are needed in the NC data? Kerf compensation required? Within File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Setup NC Settings, Users can apply tool compensation (Kerf). If set, Kerf values can be entered against each material thickness from File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Tools Select Cutting Tool Setup Kerf. This can be Global across all thicknesses or moved to Details which then allows entry against each gauge. Are the correct tools assigned for the machine? You are able to edit the default tools assigned to the machine and add new entries if required from Accessed from File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Tools. The NULL tool for example is a requirement on most machines. Machines can have Cutting, Marking tool assignments with varying tool data if supported. Have there been amendments to tooling data made? Each default machine has tooling data assigned and the user is responsible for entering the relevant speeds, hole/pierce sizes etc for each material thickness. Accessed from File Setup Installed Machines Select Machine Tools Select Cutting Tool Setup. How do I Write NC for more than 1 machine? When installing multiple machines, you are able to create multiple processes which Nests and Writes NC data for each. The user can then decide prior to nesting, which machine is required for NC output.
Downloading	How is the controller downloading from the PC? (Network folder/RS232 with Comms Link/modem). If the PC outputs the data into the CNC folder for Serial port communication, the potential is that there is need for a Download program for being able to transmit/receive the NC data. Please contact your supplier if you think you require a download program to communicate the data. Correct cabling? The requirement for serial communication is that you have twisted/sheilded cable no longer than our recommended distance of 10m as anything above this distance requires modems. How far away is the Machine Controller from the PC operating the software? There maybe a need for LDM modems to boost the signal if over 10m-20m distances.