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CAD/CAM/NC PROGRAMMING SYSTEMS
NCTALK
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.
Product is no longer available
Datacut · 466 Saw Mill River Rd. Ardsley, NY
10502 · Phone (914)693-6000 · FAX (914)693-6738
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