Novaturn Software

[nickelpi]

Hello There, for the last 8years or so I have had in my garage a Denford Novaturn CNC lathe, with its own electrical cabinet and Desktop Tutor. The lathe is fitted with a tool change turret, and I have a single floppy disc titled Novaturn Version 1.41, which has various files on it which appear to be DOS based. There are 7 DOS applications e.g. FANUC.COM, FANUC6T.COM, HEID355.COM, etc, but I cannot get any sense out of any of these on a windows 2000 laptop, possibly because they have .COM in the filename?? Does this sound as if this is the correct software, or should I attempt to download anything from the legacy software, and if so what.
I do not have a suitable computer to run the DOS software, (and which has two com ports), nor the Denford supplied RS232 cable to connect to the cabinet.
Can anyone help with the following questions:
I have a drawing of the connections for the RS232 cable titled 1812GG. Is this the correct cable and can I get one from anywhere or make one up myself.
What would be the most suitable computer to get to run the original software, (if it is correct), and get the lathe running.
I have heard that it is possible to upgrade the software to a windows based system, (VR Turning?), but this needs a further upgrade to the ‘e prom’- what does this entail.
Any answers to any of above appreciated.

[Steve]

To upgrade you would have to purchase an Eprom and the VR Turning software.

This would allow you to run on a modern computer.

You may be able to buy a USB to Serial adaptor if you don't have a serial port on the PC.

The 1812GG is the correct cable but we don't have these in stock so you would have to make one up.

[TDIPower]

Hi, there are various posts about how to wire up the RS232 leads, this is the pin out as used on the Desktop tutor keyboard

DTE Computer DIRECTION DCE Denford
9 pin fmale 25pin male
Case -- -
1 DCD <- 8 DCD
2 RD <- 3 TX
3 TD -> 2 RX
4 DTR -> 20 DTR
5 GND -- 7 GND
6 DSR <- 6 DSR
7 RTS -> 4 RTS
8 CTS <- 5 CTS
9 RI <- 22 RI

now this should work on the Novaturn too BUT if it doesn't and all the settings are correct in the FANUCSLD.GO file (use notepad to edit/check) then you could try swapping the wires on pins 2 and 3.

The FANUCSLD.GO file should read something like this

IBM.RS2 1
$2F8 3 MACHINE
DENFORD1.KBD 1
18.2 $3F8 4
EGA.CRT 0
FANUCSLD.APP

It's been a couple of years since i looked into this for my machine but I think this is the explanation behind the GO file.

This line is the RS232 port you have the machine plugged into $2F8 3 MACHINE

This line says you are using the desktop tutor keyboard DENFORD1.KBD 1
This line is the RS232 port the keyboard is plugged in. 18.2 $3F8 4

I believe this calls the type of monitor EGA.CRT 0

This calls the program for the machine FANUCSLD.APP

Their is a possibility I might have a suitable eprom which would enable you to run the later windows based software. I need to have a dig about and ask Denford if it would be suitable for you. The VR turning software is night and day better than the dos BUT the DOS stuff works. It all depends if you want to sit and CAD your designs and use software to post process to the G code or if you are happy to type it all in yourself.
It is a costly investment (I made) but I didn't want to convert my machine to Mach 3 and I like the Denford control,

If you are interested in the eprom drop me a message and I'll dig it out, where are you? I've spent a fair bit of time playing with denford stuff (~19yrs)

Pete

[nickelpi]

To upgrade you would have to purchase an Eprom and the VR Turning software.

This would allow you to run on a modern computer.

You may be able to buy a USB to Serial adaptor if you don't have a serial port on the PC.

The 1812GG is the correct cable but we don't have these in stock so you would have to make one up.

Thanks for that Steve, I may well try that if I can get an eprom. If not do you think the dos software I have should be ok to get everything working, or is there a version available on the forum

[nickelpi]

Hi, there are various posts about how to wire up the RS232 leads, this is the pin out as used on the Desktop tutor keyboard

DTE Computer DIRECTION DCE Denford
9 pin fmale 25pin male
Case -- -
1 DCD <- 8 DCD
2 RD <- 3 TX
3 TD -> 2 RX
4 DTR -> 20 DTR
5 GND -- 7 GND
6 DSR <- 6 DSR
7 RTS -> 4 RTS
8 CTS <- 5 CTS
9 RI <- 22 RI

now this should work on the Novaturn too BUT if it doesn't and all the settings are correct in the FANUCSLD.GO file (use notepad to edit/check) then you could try swapping the wires on pins 2 and 3.

The FANUCSLD.GO file should read something like this

IBM.RS2 1
$2F8 3 MACHINE
DENFORD1.KBD 1
18.2 $3F8 4
EGA.CRT 0
FANUCSLD.APP

It's been a couple of years since i looked into this for my machine but I think this is the explanation behind the GO file.

This line is the RS232 port you have the machine plugged into $2F8 3 MACHINE

This line says you are using the desktop tutor keyboard DENFORD1.KBD 1
This line is the RS232 port the keyboard is plugged in. 18.2 $3F8 4

I believe this calls the type of monitor EGA.CRT 0

This calls the program for the machine FANUCSLD.APP

Their is a possibility I might have a suitable eprom which would enable you to run the later windows based software. I need to have a dig about and ask Denford if it would be suitable for you. The VR turning software is night and day better than the dos BUT the DOS stuff works. It all depends if you want to sit and CAD your designs and use software to post process to the G code or if you are happy to type it all in yourself.
It is a costly investment (I made) but I didn't want to convert my machine to Mach 3 and I like the Denford control,

If you are interested in the eprom drop me a message and I'll dig it out, where are you? I've spent a fair bit of time playing with denford stuff (~19yrs)

Pete

Hi Peter, thanks for all that. I think maybe the software that have may be wrong / incomplete: there is no FANUCSLD.APP, nor FANUCSLD.GO, just the .COM files, and some other text files. I have asked Steve if I can download from the forum, but even so I would be interested in your eprom, so if you could check it out and let me know I would be grateful.
Nick

[TDIPower]

Need to get my finding things head on. The eprom sat on my monitor stand for about 2 yrs, I put it safe when I swapped the room about

The DOS software is available here...

https://website.denford.ltd.uk/dos-vinta ... formation/

Pete

[MadeForThat]

Hi Nick,
Can you post pictures of your control board? It seems like a lot of machines have the updated eeprom, so perhaps yours was updated at some point. As far as connecting your machine to a Windows computer, I have had mixed luck with a serial card, but have had great luck with a USB to db9 cable. If you check my profile you can see a few posts I have talked about this. If you don't mind spending the money, updating the machine and software will be great, but it is very likely that you can get something working with the hardware and software you have/can download. Have you been able to identify a security key in your files? I'm blanking on the file name....

[TDIPower]

Finally found the spare eprom I have. Need to check with Martin what it will run with,

info on the label

Denmint
V2.0/s/
B19-JD5

Pete

[Martin]

Hi Pete

Yes That will run both VRTurning & VRMilling.

[TDIPower]

Good stuff, would it be VR2 and or VR5.

I had actually given up finding it, but got home from work yesterday and it was on my desk. My wife had found it in a box of my kids stuff!

Pete

[Martin]

It will work with both 2 & 5.

[TDIPower]

Cheers Martin, Hope the water levels stay low for you!