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Methods For Transferring CNC Data
There several methods for transferring data to computer
numerical control machines.
The methods and their effectiveness is described below.
Punched tape
The first data transfer method is the punched tape. It consists
of a long strip of paper with holes punched in it to store data.
The holes represent a set of data that tells the machine how to
move and what to do.
This method has proven to be very versatile and very useful. It
has proven to withstand the test of time as numerous magnetic
storage devices have deteriorated over time even to the extent
of being unreadable while punched tape has been shown to be fine
decades and perhaps even centuries later. Repair is also not a
problem as specially designed splices can put two end together
virtually unchanged. Furthermore, punched tape can be visually
decoded should the need arise. This means that human
accessibility is also not a problem.
Floppy Disk
While punched tape is quite a long roll of paper, a floppy disk
is a small magnetic storage device that is more space efficient
than punched tape. It can also be used to store simple programs.
Floppy disks virtually revolutionized the way data could be
stored and transferred from one point to another. It allowed
users to store and transfer data faster than punched tape
allowed. Furthermore, the data within a floppy could be easily
edited at any point as long as you have the proper program to
read it. However, this method has proven to be quite problematic
in the long run as floppies have a tendency to degrade
alarmingly fast. A floppy could be unreadable after only 3
years.
RS232
This method is actually a set of standards for serial binary
signals that connects between computers, terminals, and modems.
This is a fast and efficient way to transfer data.
This cable connects a CNC machine to a computer that has floppy
disk support thus eliminating the need for punched tape. This
allows the operator to input data remotely and even while
accomplishing other tasks. However, it need to be used in
conjunction with an effective data storage device so as to have
backups in case of emergencies.
Networks
Networks are a set of computers that are linked together to make
data sharing easier. In an industrial scenario, networks allow a
number of different users to individually create a program for
the machine to run on.
This method allows multiple users to access and transfer data
remotely. This allows for a faster and more efficient
check-and-balance system for the programmer and the data
verifier. Furthermore, different parts of the program can be
completed by different programmers and then compiled by one
user. This makes program creation a fast and easy process.
Manual Data Input (MDI)
MDI allows users to input commands directly into the CNC
machine’s memory. This may seem to be an effective way of
telling the machine what to do but it actually has a lot of
drawbacks to it.
Despite it being the fastest way of telling the machine what to
do, it is also a very risky and tedious operation as it requires
the use of the machine’s terminal. Furthermore, the construction
of a program is not as fast as opposed to the network method. It
only allows one user to access the machine thus making it a long
and drawn-out process.
Another disadvantage that comes with MDI is that it limits the
operator to only one task at a time. However, MDI allows the
most control over the machine compared to other methods.
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