Old Technical Support Queries

[bradders]

I found these in a old file of an ex Denford empoyee. Hope they may be of help to someone

[bradders]

Technical Support Queries

No file extensions displayed when directory opened
Installing VR Milling - superscape error
Installing VR Milling - superscape error - more information
Installing VR Milling - only 4 files in the directory
Dongle not found
MillCAM Designer - internal error 101 when saving to floppy
MillCAM Designer - internal error 100 on first running program
Mill CAM Designer - all tools limited to 2mm depth cuts
Techsoft 2D - machdata.ini not found
Techsoft 2D - problems plotting to Router , other machines ok
Fanuc Offline - Comms problems
Fanuc Offline - Changing Directory
Techsoft 2D - save files in different directory (answer on Denford Website)
Mini CAM - denford mm *.fnc does not appear in the list of files
DOS software Fanucl , Fanucld , Fanucsld etc.
Plane switching - arcs in X / Z plane

No file extensions displayed when directory opened ▲

Select 'View' on the menu bar, at the top of the window
Select 'Folder Options
Select the tab marked 'View'
Untick the box marked 'hide file extensions for known filetypes'


Installing VR milling - superscape error ▲

run some files to install viscape stuff (see vr milling.doc)

then re-install VR milling

Installing VR MIlling - superscape error - more information ▲

If VR milling screws up with superscape or viscape errors

You need to install Superscape separately
2.10 Windmill \ 3D Control Installer setup.exe
2.8 Utility \ 3D Control Installer setup.exe

To do this you need Internet Explorer 5 (because 3D control is a "plug-in")
I don't know exactly what this means but it's a buzz word and I'm not afraid to use it.

Reinstall VR milling after that "should just work "


Installing VR Milling - only 4 files in the directory ▲

In the utility directory on the CD there is a program called autoreg.exe
Run that and register MillSim.ocx in the Program files / Denford / VR Milling directory
Then re-install the VR Milling software.

Dongle not found ▲



run drights.exe to check dongle

run following programs to install softlock drivers

go into bios settings and check parallel port settings

There are a few things to look at.

1 If a printer is plugged into the parallel port it should be on line.

We need to check if the problem is with the dongle or the PC.
With the PC in DOS mode find the denford directory and run drights.exe.
This should display the dongle serial number and the software packages it will run.


Mill CAM Designer internal error 101 saving to floppy ▲
(according to Borland book = disc write error)
save to hard disc and check file size
corrupt floppy disc ?
floppy drive problems ?


Mill CAM Designer - all tools limited to 2mm depth cuts ▲
setting problem. check pages 37-39 of the manual.
menu option Create-G code / Set G-code parameters.
all tool information is displayed.


Techsoft 2D - machdata.ini not found ▲
The post processor floppy does not create a data subdirectory in the Denford directory.
create a subdirectory C: \ Denford \ data.


Techsoft 2D - problems plotting to Router ▲
Check C: \ Denford \ Machdata.ini

Should read Microrouter (metric)=C:\Denford\Config\fanucm.ini
Probably read Microrouter (metric)=D:\Denford\Config\fanucm.ini


Fanuc Offline Comms problems ▲

Settings need to be same on PC and Machine tool

Fanuc Machine tool setting
The default settings are as follows :

4800 Baud 7 Data bits 1 Stop bits Even Parity

On page 1 of parameters set : ISO = ‘1’ and I/O = ‘1’

With I/O = ‘0’ the baud rate is set by parameter 552
With I/O = '1' the baud rate is set by parameter 553 , using the following table :

1 = 50 2 = 100 3 = 110 4 = 150 5 = 200 6 = 300
7 = 600 8 = 1200 9 = 2400 10 = 4800 11 = 9600

Offline Software setting
F10
Settings
Machine Link
check baud rate, data bits, com port used etc.

Use Machine link when sending or receiving programs.

Starting PC in DOS mode stops windows from affecting com port settings.

Run hyper terminal from windows. This is a good way of seeing what is coming down the serial cable.
Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / HyperTerminal

Hypertrm.exe
enter name for connection - this can be anything
ignore all but "connect using" - select com port
set properties baud rate, data bits, stop bits , select no flow control

bottom of dialogue box should read "connected"

The various com port settings can be altered to see if anything happens
use the Properties icon and configure button to change anything
hyper terminal must be disconnected and re-connected after each change.




Changing Directory Fanuc Offline Desktop Tutor ▲

F10
CNCFILES
CHANGE DIRECTORY
CURSOR UP / DOWN [EOB] TO SELECT DIRECTORY

F10
CNCFILES
LOAD

OLD DIRECTORY IS DISPLAYED IN BOX
PRESS [ALTER] TO CLEAR THE DISPLAY
PRESS [EOB] TO PUT THE NEW DIRECTORY NAME IN BOX



Saving Techsoft 2D in different directories ▲

Look at the Denford website


Mini CAM - denford mm *.fnc does not appear ▲

C: \ Program Files \ MiniCAM \ PostP
This directory needs a file called denford_mm.con

C \ Program Files \ MiniCAM
The file called toolpath.cfg needs editing to include the following ;

Post10=CONFIG.DLL denford_mm.con "Denford (mm)(*.fnc)" fnc
(The Post-- number may need changing - look at the original file.)


DOS software Fanucl , Fanucld , Fanucsld etc. ▲

Fanucl DOS Lathe software Qwerty keyboard
Fanucld DOS Lathe software Desk Top Tutor
Fanucsld DOS Lathe software Specific to GSM Starturn

Fanucm DOS Mill software Qwerty keyboard
Fanucmd DOS Mill software Desk Top Tutor
Fanucsmd DOS Mill software Specific to NEE Starmill

In the go file
DENFORD1.KBD 1 refers to the new Tutor with changeable overlays
DENFORD.KBD 1 refers to the old tutor with fixed overlays


Plane Switching ▲

The software only supports arcs in the X Y plane.
The CAM system needs to convert arc to lines, or be set to no plane switching.

[bradders]

Denford Software Frequently Asked Questions Copied 26-9-2001


Denford MillCAM Designer Software FAQs
Q. How do I install MillCAM Designer on a network?

A. There are two stages, involving the installation of the software on your server computer, followed by all your workstation computers.

To install MillCAM Designer 2 on your server computer:

Install the MillCAM Designer 2 software to the required hard drive on your server computer.

Find the file "MCD2.ini", located in the Denford directory.

The "MCD2.ini" file contains a section similar to the following:
[Path Data]
GNC Name=P:\Denford\data\generic.gnc
Font Files=P:\Denford\fonts\straight.fnt.
MCD Files=P:\Denford\data\
DXF Files=P:\Denford\data\
GCode Files=P:\Denford\data\
Feeds Files=P:\Denford\uconfig\
Project Files=P:\Denford\uconfig\project.ini

where P is your server computer hard drive.

In addition to checking that these directories exist in the locations listed, check that the following rules apply:
1) GNC Name= must point to a read/write file (it is a temporary file created for each student during the G-Code generation process).
2) MCD Files= must point to a read/write directory (it is the directory where a students design files are kept).
3) G Code Files= must point to a read/write directory (it is the directory where a students CNC files are kept).
4) Workstation computers must have access to the main program file "MCD2.exe" located in the Denford directory.

Normally, these three entries must be reconfigured to point towards the students own personal directory area. For example, a student having a personal directory of N:\Mywork\ would have these entries changed in the server computer "MCD2.ini" file to read:

GNC Name=N:\Mywork\generic.gnc
MCD Files=N:\Mywork\
G Code Files=N:\Mywork\

To install MillCAM Designer 2 on each workstation computer:

Setup a shortcut to the main program file "MCD2.exe", located in the Denford directory on your server computer.

Check that the "WIN.ini" file, located in the Windows directory, on each individual workstation computer running MillCAM Designer 2 has the following:

[Denford Machine Tools]
Directory=P:\Denford\

where P is the Network drive mapped to the Denford folder on your server computer.

For specialist networks (eg, RM) contact Denford Customer Services if you experience any problems.
Q. My MillCAM Designer will not find a post-processor - what's gone wrong?
A. Early versions of MillCAM Designer were shipped with two disks, one of which was a post-processor libraries disk. Some users can experience problems when installing these versions of MillCAM Designer.
If you are a single license user (ie, you are using a parallel port security dongle) and you are experiencing problems installing MillCAM Designer, we recommend that you upgrade, for free, to version 2.0. This version of MillCAM Designer has post-processor configuration built into the install routine. Click here to download the latest version of MillCAM Designer (this link moves you to our MillCAM Download Demo page)
If you are experiencing problems using a flash screen version of MillCAM Designer, please contact Denford Customer Services with your flash screen codes and establishment details. We will configure a flash screen version of MillCAM Designer version 2.0 and send it back to you.
Q. I'm too limited by the choice of drawing tools in MillCAM Designer - what can I do?
A. MillCAM Designer is intended as an introductory package to CAD/CAM. That's why we've limited the choice and function of the drawing tools, but that doesn't mean to say you can't create complicated designs. You can use your favourite graphics package (such as most versions of the popular 'Coreldraw' program) to create vector (line) drawings, then export them as DXF files. These DXF files import directly into into MillCAM for editing and subsequent conversion to G and M codes.
Q. When I import a graphic, such as a DXF file into MillCAM Designer, I can only see part of the image - what's gone wrong?
A. DXF files are handled by MillCAM as vectors, for creation of the cnc cutter tool paths. This means the curved lines on DXF files are handled as a series of short straight lines. A DXF file containing complicated curves (especially imported text) uses most, if not all of the allocated memory in MillCAM when you try to import the entire image. If you're trying to import text, we recommend that you use one of the pre-designed fonts in MillCAM. This will also considerably reduce the time taken for milling the part.
If you must use a complicated, or very high definition DXF file, there are a number of ways to successfully import the image. You can try to reduce the minimum line length (default setting 1.00) to reduce the total number of lines in the graphic, or, split the graphic into two separate DXF files and import each half into MillCAM with the same scale (set a small MillCAM 'Step' size to help you align both halves of the image). However, by using a complicated graphic in MillCAM, you must expect milling times to increase.
Q. I want to create an outline template for MillCAM Designer which my students can use to help place their designs in the correct position on the billet - how can this be done?
A. Setting up templates in MillCAM Designer is a useful way on ensuring that a number of designs fit onto one billet (avoiding waste material) and/or giving students precise areas where they can design, or place their designs.
Draw the outlines that you want to use as templates on your billet in the normal way, then select 'Depth' and set the line colour you've used for drawing these templates to zero. This means the line you've drawn will be ignored when the G and M codes are generated, since the post-processor ignores any lines in your design with a zero depth value. Save this millcam file with a suitable name, such as 'template' so you can recall it for future use.
If you wish to include the template as part of your final design (ie, the template is the same shape as your final designs outline), instruct your students to place all the elements of their designs inside these templates first. It is very important that all the students complete this procedure first, before moving onto tracing the templates as their design outlines. Remember that the cnc milling machine will always cut designs out in the same order in which you've drawn them on the MillCAM screen. The billet may move if the outline is cut before the internal detail, since less surface area of the billet will remain in contact with the machine table (the billet will be more likely to move in this situation). Hence, we want all the design outlines to be cut last. Select a different colour from that used on the original template and set the depth for this new colour to the thickness of your billet. Draw directly over the template, using it as a 'tracing' guide. When the G and M codes are generated, the template will be ignored, leaving the outside edge of your design to be milled last.
Q. How do I disable the G-Code Parameters menu in Mill Cam Designer?
A. Add the following entry to your MCD2.INI file...
[Material size]
NFM=0
Q. When I try to create a G-code file, the Post Processing Error message window displays - Cannot find supporting library file - what's gone wrong?
A. MillCAM Designer is a 16 bit application and cannot support long file names or long strings of characters. Always try to save using a filename shorter than 8 characters. Also, try to save the file as locally as possible, no deeper than 3 folders deep into a directory. Again, the foldersnames should contain no more than 8 characters. Ideally, save the file to C:\denford\data.
Q. Why do I sometimes get 'Object Type Unknown' when I try to modify an elements property in Edit mode?

A. Dragging with the left mouse button to select elements should only be used to select a multiple of elements to do things like cut, copy paste etc. but should not be used to select individual elelmnts for property editing, use the right mouse button instead.

Denford LatheCAM Designer Software FAQs

Q. How do I install LatheCAM Designer on a network?

A. There are two stages, involving the installation of the software on your server computer, followed by all your workstation computers.

To install LatheCAM Designer on your server computer:

Install the LatheCAM Designer software to the required hard drive on your server computer.

Find the file "LCD.ini", located in the Windows or Denford directory.

The "LCD.ini" file will contain a section similar to the following:
[Path Data]
GNC Name=P:\Denford\data\generic.gnc
LCD Files=P:\Denford\data\
GCode Files=P:\Denford\data\

where P is your server computer hard drive.

In addition to checking that these directories exist in the locations listed, check that the following rules apply:
1) GNC Name= must point to a read/write file (it is a temporary file created for each student during the G-Code generation process).
2) LCD Files= must point to a read/write directory (it is the directory where a students design files are kept).
3) G Code Files= must point to a read/write directory (it is the directory where a students CNC files are kept).
4) Workstation computers must have access to the main program file "LCD.exe" located in the Denford directory.

Normally, these three entries must be reconfigured to point towards the students own personal directory area. For example, a student having a personal directory of N:\Mywork\ would have these entries changed in the server computer "LCD.ini" file to read:

GNC Name=N:\Mywork\generic.gnc
MCD Files=N:\Mywork\
G Code Files=N:\Mywork\

To install LatheCAM Designer on each workstation computer:

Setup a shortcut to the main program file "LCD.exe", located in the Denford directory on your server computer.

Check that the "WIN.ini" file, located in the Windows directory, on each individual workstation computer running LatheCAM Designer has the following:

[Denford Machine Tools]
Directory=P:\Denford\

where P is the Network drive mapped to the Denford folder on your server computer.

For specialist networks (eg, RM) contact Denford Customer Services if you experience any problems.
Q. When I try to create a G-code file, the Post Processing Error message window displays - Cannot find supporting library file - what's gone wrong?
A) LatheCAM Designer is a 16 bit application and cannot support long file names or long strings of characters. Always try to save using a filename shorter than 8 characters. Also, try to save the file as locally as possible, no deeper than 3 folders deep into a directory. Again, the foldersnames should contain no more than 8 characters. Ideally, save the file to C:\denford\data.

Denford FANUC Milling and Turning Offline and Desk Top Tutor Software for DOS FAQs

Q. How do I configure my desk top tutor software to run on a different number serial port, or change the screen display?
A. Use the FANUCMD.GO file.
The FANUCMD.GO is a file supplied on the floppy disk containing the list of drivers used by the software. The file indicates the order in which the drivers are loaded into the memory of the computer when the system first starts up. The default FANUCMD.GO file lists as follows, for offline software with a Desktop Tutor:
FANUCMD.GO
IBM.RS2 1
$2F8 3 COM2
DENFORD.KBD 1
18.2 $3F8 4
VGA.CRT 0
FANUCMD.APP
Some drivers require a number of additional lines as parameters. The number of lines required by the driver is shown by a number written after the driver name. For example, The IBM.RS2 driver loads COM1 at the address $3F8 using interrupt 4 and MACHINE at the address $2F8 using interrupt 3. The last line in the file executes the software specified, ie, FANUCMD.APP
Editing the FANUCMD.GO file:
In some circumstances drivers other than the defaults may be required for your computer set-up. This file can be edited in any DOS text file editor.
Example: To change from a VGA driver to an EGA driver, load the FANUCMD.GO file into the editor. Change line six from 'VGA.CRT 0' to 'EGA.CRT 0'. Save the changes made to disk.
Note - Ensure that the file 'EGA.CRT' can be found on the disk that is being used. If not, it can be copied from the 'drivers floppy disk' shipped with your machine.
Example: To change the Tutor connection from COM 1 to COM 'X', load the FANUCMD.GO file into the editor. Change line five from '18.2 $3F8 4' to one of the choices below, then save the changes made to disk. When run, the software will now expect the Tutor to be connected to COM 'X'.
Choices for COM 'X':
For COM 2 - the new line reads '18.2 $2F8 3'
For COM 3 - the new line reads '18.2 $3E8 4'
For COM 4 - the new line reads '18.2 $2E8 3'
FANUCMD.GO files for CNC machine controlling software:
Change line three from '$2F8 3 COM2' to '$2F8 3 MACHINE'.
Q. I want to edit and simulate a CNC program bigger than 64 KB. What should I do?
A. The DOS offline software can only process data in block sizes of 64KB or less. When you load a program file larger than 64KB, a message will display to indicate that the total file size is too large. Press the [RESET] (or qwerty keyboard equivalent) button to remove this message. The screen background colour will change to purple. The program filename will be displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen, as usual. The software will now automatically run in 'drip-feed' mode. This means that when you try to edit or simulate the file, the software will load the file into its' memory in separate but consecutive 64KB blocks, until the whole of the program file has been edited or simulated.
Q. I want to simulate a cnc program for a larger machine tool but I keep getting an 'Move Exceeds Limits' eror message.

A. The Denford Offline programming software comes with default axes limits to match the Denford range of CNC machines. These limits can be made larger by editing the OPTIONS file.

To do this, you use the OPTION.EXE utility (located in the C:\DENFORD directory) to modify the applications option (.OPT) file

The example below configures the Fanuc 0T Offline Programming (FANUCL) software to run with an X axis limit of 200mm and a Z axis limit of 500mm

type...
OPTION FANUCL MOVERANGEX 200
OPTION FANUCL MACHINEEXTENTX 200
OPTION FANUCL MOVERANGEZ 500
OPTION FANUCL MOVERANGEZ 500

The example below configures the Fanuc 0M Offline Programming (FANUCMD) software to run with an X axis limit of 200mm, a Y axis limit of 250mm and a Z axis limit of 500mm

type...
OPTION FANUCMD MOVERANGEX 200
OPTION FANUCMD MACHINEEXTENTX 200
OPTION FANUCMD MOVERANGEY 250
OPTION FANUCMD MOVERANGEY 250
OPTION FANUCMD MOVERANGEZ 500
OPTION FANUCMD MOVERANGEZ 500

Denford FANUC Turning Offline and Desk Top Tutor Software for DOS FAQs

Q. Why can't I program a billet diameter geater than 40mm ?
A. The softwares' OPT file is configured to have a working envelope that matches our Novaturn size of machine (your OPT file will be callled either FANUCL.OPT of FANUCLD.OPT depending on whether you are using a desk top tutor or not).
If you want to alter the working envelope of the software (in order to match a different machine tool), add the following lines (or change the following lines if they already exist) in your .OPT file
MOVERANGEX 150
MOVERANGEZ 300
MACHINEEXTENTX 200
MACHINEEXTENTZ 335
CHUCKCENTREX 50
CHUCKZ 30
JAWSZ 5
CHUCKX 60
JAWSX 10
This example will set the working envelope as X: 150mm and Z: 300mm
These values have been calculated as follows...
1) Set the MOVERANGEX and MOVERANGEZ values to be your working envelope.
2) Set the MACHINEEXTENTX value to be MOVERANGEX + CHUCKCENTREX
3) Set the MACHINEEXTENTZ value to be MOVERANGEZ + CHUCKZ + JAWSZ
NOTE: The OPT file is a text file and can be modified using any text editor such as windows notepad or DOS EDIT.

All DOS based Denford CNC Turning and Milling software FAQs

Q. How can I get my DOS based Denford CNC software to always look in a specific directory for its CNC programs ?
A. Use the SET DENFORD_DATA= command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to specify the directory used for CNC files. For example, adding the following to the begining of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file...
SET DENFORD_DATA=C:\DENFORD\DATA
will cause the software to default to the C:\DENFORD\DATA directory
NOTE: This works for DOS based CNC Machine Control software too!

TechSoft Design 2d Design software FAQs

Q. When using TechSoft 2D Design Tools with the Denford extension, I want to specify a different directory for my CNC files to the default directory of DENFORD\DATA\
A. You need to download a new DENLCALL.EXE file that allows you to specify your own destination directory.

Click here to download the updated DENLCALL.EXE (253 KB).
http://www.denfordata.com/downloads/DENLCALL.zip

Click here to download the DenlCall.exe command line parameters textfile (2 KB).
Once downloaded, copy this file into your existing DENFORD\ directory (overwriting your existing DENLCALL.EXE file) or '<Application Drive>:\Denford' on an RM Network.
Now you can specify the directory used for your CNC files, (and also the directory that contains the DENLCALL.EXE file) via the following entry in your 2DDES.INI file (2DDES.INI is located in the same directory as the TechSoft 2D Design application EXE file).
2DDES.INI
[LINKS]
DenfordProgramDirectory=C:\DENFORD
DenfordDataDirectory=C:\DENFORD\DATA
The above example specifies that the DENLCALL.EXE file is located in the C:\DENFORD directory , and that CNC files should be produced in the C:\DENFORD\DATA directory.
Q. I am having problems with Techsoft 2D Design. When I go to plot and pick my Denford machine, then click ok, it comes up with an error: can't find the dencall.exe file.

A. Denfords "Mill Cam Designer", "Lathe Cam Designer", and "2D Design Denford Extenstion Floppy Disk" products all share a common set of files, and so must all be installed into the same common directory. This directory is normally C:\DENFORD\.

If you have recently installed on of these products then try re-installing the the 2D Design Denford Extension floppy disk, making sure that it is installed into the same directory as "Lathe Cam Designer" or "Mill Cam Designer". We strongly recommend that you keep to the default directory of C:\DENFORD.

For Network Users...
If you are installing onto a network it is still necessary to install these products into a commont directory (for example P:\APPS\DENFORD) but check the following entry in the WIN.INI file, located in your windows directory.
WIN.INI
[Denford Machine Tools]
Directory=P:\APPS\DENFORD\

Video Conferencing software FAQs

Q. Grey video window problems. Resizing the video window causes the window to go blank. Resizing the video window causes the window to go grey.
A. The file MFC42.DLL (version 6.00.8168.00) that ships with Microsoft Visual Studio version 6.0 is not completely backwards-compatible with the one (version 4.2.6256) that is included with the Intel conferencing software.

NOTE: MFC42.DLL is a Microsoft Foundation Class library that is from Microsoft.

Currently, Intel does not have a resolution that allows both products to work together. For Microsoft Visual Studio and any applications built with this product (which includes Visual Basic 6.0, Visual C++ 6.0, Visual J++) to work properly, the newer MFC42.DLL (version 6.00.8168.00) must be loaded. For the Intel conferencing software to operate correctly, the older MFC42.DLL (version 4.2.6256) must be loaded.
Solution: Copy the MFC42.DLL file shipped in the \SHARED directory of your Intel Proshare CD-ROM into your C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.