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DNC COMMUNICATIONS & CNC Networking

Predator DNC™ — Network your CNCs and get connected  Predator DNC (Direct/Distributed Numerical Control) is the backbone for a shop floor network. It is a flexible solution that allows users to access and manage CNC files from any server on their custom-defined network.  Predator DNC can communicate with up to 256 machine tools per PC, eliminating manual forms of data sharing and transfer.

Predator DNC is a 32 bit application designed to make shop floor cnc networking and dnc communications simple and easy while still providing powerful and customizable tools to meet shop floor needs. Built on industry standards Predator DNC allows businesses to leverage existing office networks and extend everyday functionality out to the shop floor.

Network up to 256 CNCs Have an entire shop floor of CNC machines? Take control of your CNC networking. Predator DNC allows up to 256 CNC machines to communicate per PC for simultaneous send, receive, and DNC file transfers.  Group and organize your CNCs by building or cell.

Examples of Wiring Configurations for CNC Communications (click to enlarge)

DNC Explorer™  Frustrated with hard to use software?  Predator DNC keeps things simple by letting you work in a familiar operating environment. Based on the Microsoft Office^® and Windows^® 95 Explorer user interface, DNC Explorer includes standard features such as drag and drop, shortcut menus, cut, copy & paste, object-based menus, toolbars, tool tip s and on-line help.  You’ll feel right at home.

Remote Request™   Tired of walking back and forth between your CNC and your PC? Remote Request allows each operator on the shop floor to send, receive, drip feed,  and get a directory listing of their CNC (G-code) programs directly from their CNC control.  Eliminates walking back and forth between the CNC and PC

Network Compatible  Want to store CNC programs on a network server? Predator DNC with Remote Request works as a DNC gateway between your CNCs and your Novell^®, Windows NT^®, UNIX^® , VMS or LANtastic network server to leverage your existing network.

Server Safe™  Concerned about network reliability?  Predator DNC includes Server Safe to protect you from lost data in the event of a network crash during DNC transfers.  Drip feed even if your network fails or server crashes.  Execute error-free DNC communications over your network with confidence.  24x7x365 reliability.

Internet Connectivity  Need feedback from lights-out operation or improved workflow between departments?  Predator DNC lets you automatically e-mail key personnel at the beginning or completion of hot jobs. Using Remote Request, operators can e-mail any department directly from their CNC.  You control e-mail use and security, while improving communication efficiencies.

Predator Internet Objects^™

• E-Mail, FTP and HTML

• E-mail notification for lights out operation, tooling requests, and material shortages

• Works with e-mail based pagers and digital cellular phones

• FTP and DNC clients can run DNC servers located anywhere in the world

Database Objects™  Concerned about shop floor productivity?  Optionally, date and time stamp every command, job, or operation using Predator Database Objects™: 

• DBase

• Microsoft Access 2000

• Microsoft SQL Server v7.x

• Oracle v7.x & v8.0

• Microsoft Excel 2000

Track shop floor activity, machine status, operator status and custom events.  Optionally create reports and graphs.

DNC Clients  Want client PCs to access a Predator DNC server? Predator DNC clients can gain access to your DNC server from anywhere in the world (assuming they have the proper hardware). Set clients to work within your network structure—over the company network or across the Internet. Either way, you control who gains access and what information is available.

Background CNC Communications  Restricted by your existing DOS system?  Predator DNC works in the background even while other applications are running.  Send, receive and DNC to any RS-232 or RS-422 compatible CNC machine.  Because Predator DNC has always been a native 32-bit Windows® application, both multi-threaded and multi-tasking, you can run multiple applications on a single PC for maximum return on investment.

Drag & Drop DNC™  Want to keep it simple? Predator DNC simplifies your CNC workflow with enhanced drag and drop operations. Add new CNCs from your CNC library, send or DNC single or multiple CNC programs, import thousands of CNC programs, reorganize your CNC programs, and more, with a single drag and drop routine.

256 Character File Names Limited to eight character file names? No more. Take advantage of long 256 character file names, paths and UNC names  for your CNC programs. Even use spaces and special characters.

Predator File Manager Swamped with too many CNC programs?  Can't find the latest CNC program? Predator DNC includes a configurable file manager with complete drag and drop support.  Organize your jobs by customer, job or CNC. The file manager uses shortcuts or aliases to manage your CNC programs independently of your PC or network file structure.

High-Speed Machining Experiencing DNC performance bottlenecks?  Predator DNC supports up to 256,000 baud for even the most demanding high-speed machining.

DNC Protocols Need special high-speed error correcting DNC protocols? Predator DNC comes standard with protocols for Bostomatic, Bridgeport Easylink, Excellon, Fagor, Fanuc Protocol A, Expand A, Heidenhain Blockwise, Okuma B, Mazatrol, Xmodem and many others. Or, create your own DNC commands with custom protocols using Predator’s unique command wizard.

Custom Applications Have a custom or unique application?  Predator DNC offers several optional SDKs, or software development kits, to enable anyone familiar with Visual Basic, Java or C++ to interface other applications, create custom DNC protocols, or develop specific shop floor solutions. With our unique command wizard you will be able to leverage all of Predator DNC’s existing capabilities and only develop what is necessary for your specific requirements by creating custom commands by assembling any combination of 80 Objects

A shrink-wrapped solution with unlimited shop floor automation flexibility.

Predator CNC Editor™ Tired of manually editing CNC code?  Change feed rates, spindle speeds, and G & M codes with just a few mouse clicks.  Predator CNC Editor supports unlimited file sizes, while editing multiple files at the same time. Quickly make changes with over 50 math and trigonometry functions.

File Compare Want to compare CNC code changes made on the shop floor? Predator CNC Editor includes integrated side-by-side file compare with synchronized scrolling and line-by-line edit/change review.

Verify CNC Code Ever gouge a part, break a tool or crash a CNC machine? Graphically verify CNC code by Backplotting any CNC program in a true 3-D environment. Predator DNC supports one to four view ports, eight predefined views, zoom in, zoom out, pan, and fit.  Print any view and quickly add graphics to your setup sheets.

Bar Code Ready Load, save and drip feed using bar code readers.  Simplifies long file names and directory structures.  Optionally log events using Access and Excel Objects.  Compatible with Predator MDC^™ (Manufacturing Data Collection)

Reduce or Eliminate

• Switch boxes

• Proprietary hardware

• Laptops

• Portable storage devices

• Paper tape

• Unreliable communications

• Adding CNC memory

• Manual Data Input (MDI)

• Walking back and forth between your PC and CNC

Who uses Predator DNC?

• CNC Programmers
• CNC Machinists
• CNC Operators
• Shop Lead Personnel
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Manufacturing Managers