NCTALK DATA SHEET

OVERVIEW

NCTALK is a software product designed for handling the many types of data communications tasks found in shops using NC or CNC machine tools. These include the transfer of NC program data between a computer and a paper tape punch/reader, downloading and uploading with a CNC control, parallel transmission) through an NC control reader interface (BTR) as well as communications to other devices such as floppy disks, store and forward devices, modems, etc.. NCTALK can also emulate an ASCII terminal for direct keyboard communications with these devices. In addition to communications capabilities, NCTALK includes a full featured text editor and block number resequencer for creating or modifying the NC programs.

Besides full feature capabilities, another key design aspect of NCTALK is its "friendly" user interface. The system is completely menu driven and contains 3 levels of online, context sensitive HELP allowing the user to quickly overcome any difficulties associated with operating a computer system or dealing with communications interfacing issues, and there are system messages to guide the user through the system.

Communications protocols for individual controls are easily created by simple setup screens, and an unlimited number of these protocols may be stored on the system and instantly retrieved when needed. During operation, NCTALK displays continuous status messages regarding the communications.

NCTALK will operate on any PC with at least 256K of memory and one or more serial ports. The program will optionally support a MOUSE. A laptop computer configuration is ideal because it can easily be hand carried and plugged in directly to the machine's control. Retail price is $695.00.

MENU CHOICES AND DESCRIPTIONS

SETUP - Pops up setup cards for setting the communications parameters.

FILE - Enter the name of the file to be transmitted or received.

LOAD - Loads an existing protocol (typed in or picked from a menu).

MODE - Popup a menu to choose the mode of operation:

DOWNLOAD OR SEND A FILE
PUNCH A PAPER TAPE
WRITE TO A FILE (such as a floppy disk)
UPLOAD OR READ A FILE
READ A PAPER TAPE
TERMINAL EMULATION

TRANSMIT- Begin transmission or downloading file
RECEIVE - Begin receiving or uploading file
PUNCH - Begin punching paper tape READ - Begin reading paper tape
WRITE - Begin writing file to device
ONLINE - Go online with terminal emulator
UTILITIES - Popup a menu to choose utility functions

EDIT - Create or edit a file or program
RESEQ - Resequence the block numbers of an NC program
DOS - Shell out to the operating system

QUIT - Exit from NCTALK

SETUP PARAMETER SELECTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

PORT - COM1, COM2 serial ports. LPTI, LPT2, LPT3 parallel ports.

SPEED - Baud rate selection for serial communications.

CPS - Characters per second for parallel communications.

DATA BITS - 7 or 8 data bits for serial communications.

STOP BITS - 1 or 2 stop bits for serial communications.

PARITY - Odd, Even or None,

EOL - Line feed or return & line feed at end of line

DELAY - Pause time after transmission of each block.

HANDSHAKE - XON/XOFF, Hardware, Both or None. If None is selected on receiving operations, all of the available computers memory is used as an input buffer.

PINS - If hardware handshaking, transmission checks DSR, CTS or BOTH pins.

ECHO - Display the characters which are sent or received on the screen.

PROMPT - NONE, XON or CR, a character which is transmitted on the line on receiving operations or looked for on transmitting operations to initiate communications. This allows for synchronization between two communicating devices.

CODE - ASCII or EIA selected for paper tape operations.

LEADER- Blank leader/trailer in feet is specified for paper tape operations.

STRINGS - On transmitting operations, a start of transmission character string and end of transmission character string can be entered for highly customized protocols. The strings are entered with a full featured screen editor.

SAVE - YES will store the parameters in a permanent communications protocol, NO will just use the parameters without storing them.

Datacut · 466 Saw Mill River Rd. Ardsley, NY 10502 · Phone (914)693-6000 (800)882-2288 · FAX (914)693-6738