In
March 2005, Newall updated the C80 digital readout
to include basic RS232 communications
via a dedicated hardware RS232 compatible port. This is designed
for programming of the unit during manufacture, CSS communications
and diagnostic purposes. It also fulfills the requirement to log
positional data for quality purposes.
The RS232 configuration settings can be found
sandwiched between the Axis Summing and Zero Approach settings
in the Setup structure.
The baud rates for communications are selectable
from Setup. The available baud rates are: 300, 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, 14400, 19200 and 38400.
From the Setup structure, one of three RS232
modes is available. These are:
No RS232 All RS232 functions are disabled and no outputs are
made.
This is the default condition.
Continuous Output From the menu structure the frequency of output is
to be defined. The options of frequency are: 0.1 - 60.0 in
steps of 0.1 seconds.
Keyed Output
When this option is selected, the axes data is transmitted
when the Enter key is pressed,
without proceeding keys having been pressed. Thus, this option
does not require the use of a function key.
Output Data
Format
The current axis data for the axes available on the system are
to be transmitted.
For 2-axis systems, only two axes of data will be transmitted.
The data packet structure of 12 characters is
defined as follows:
The Axis ID is the character shown in the axis 15-segment display
at the time of printing.
The exception is that for 3-axis lathe
applications, a lower case "z" is used to denote the compound Z1=axis.
An upper case "Z" is used to denote the standard Z-axis
RS232
connection
to
the unit is made via a 15-pin "D" type connector at the
rear of the display (refer to illustration
at right).
RS232
Operation
The RS232
output is configured from the Setup Menu, where four settings are
to be found.
The
first is labeled SERIAL and refers
to the mode of operation, CONSTANT, SINGLE or NONE.
The options are cycled by pressing either the left or right keys
on the directional pad.
The second setting concerns the rate at which RS232 data is
generated when in constant mode. It is labeled SER
RATE and shows a value
(in seconds) in the second axis window. Pressing the arrow button
next to the value allows the serial rate to be changed. Values
in the range 0.1-60.0 can be selected in 0.1s increments (see "Note" below).
The third setting relates to the baud rate of the RS232 communications.
The first axis window is labeled BD RATE and
the second axis window shows the current value. You can select 300, 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, 14400, 19200 and 38400 by
pressing either the left or right keys on the directional pad.
The final setting is the parity mode of the RS232 communications.
The first axis window shows PARITY and
the second axis window shows the current setting, EVEN, ODD or NONE.
You can scroll through the options by pressing either the left
or right keys on the directional pad.
Note: The
maximum serial rate is limited by the baud rate, i.e., for a baud
rate of 9600 the maximum output serial rate is 0.5s (refer
to chart at right).
* If you
have a Newall encoder that is not fitted with a "D" type
connector, an adaptor cable is available.
(Part No. 307-80980)
