Chapter 11 Communication

Chapter 11 Communication

11.1 TDComm2a Communication Software Introduction of GSK980TDa

The files upload and download between PC and CNC system is via the TDComm software which
easy to operate and has a high communication efficiency and reliability.
●System (PC) configuration of TDComm2a software
Hardware: a universal PC with RS232 serial port, serial port communication cable (3-wire system)

Book 2 Operation
Operation system: Microsoft Windows 98/2000/XP/2003
●Software interface
The TDComm2a software interface is easy to operate for user, the following figure is the interface after
the software is executed:

Fig.11-1 Files download interface (PC→CNC)

Fig.11-2 Files upload interface (CNC→PC)

Ⅱ-94
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

Fig.11-3 Setting option interface

Book 2 Operation

11.1.1 Files Download （PC→CNC）

For downlo ad ing , click 【Ad d Fi le 】 s b utto n, ch oose t he file s to b e sen t to CNC t o the l ist box, t he
messages of files paths, file names saved in CNC system, file size and the CNC storage part etc. will be
l i s t e d. T he l i s t c a n b e s a v e d i n t o a f i l e w h i c h c a n b e o p e n e d w i t h n o n e e d t o c h o o s e t h e m a g a
transferring the same files next time.

Fig. 11-4
As the Fig. 11-4 shows: the left side is files list box, the right side is 【Load List】,【Save List】,【Add
Files】,【Open】,【Download】5 buttons and an option of 【Replace file the same name】.
Files list box: The list box used for files to be sent to CNC lists the messages of files paths, fi
names saved in CNC, file size, CNC storage part etc.. And this list can be saved into
a file which can be opened with no need to choose them again when transferring the
same files next time by program.
【Load List】: It is used to load the list of files saved in the harddisk.

Ⅱ-95
 Chapter 11 Communication

【Save List】: It is used to save the current files list into the harddisk.
【Add Files】: It is used to choose a file from the harddisk to add to the list of the files to be sent.
【Download】: It is used to start the transferring of the files that are chosen.
【Open】: It is used to view the files chosen by text type.
【Replace file the same name】: It is used to replace the file that has a same name with the file to
b e t r a n s f e r r e d i n C N C w i t h o u t i n q
transferring files.
▲ Files selection dialogue box
Click the 【Add Files】button where the cursor locates in Fig.11-4, it pops up“Select files …” dialogue
box, it may select the files to be sent in this box, or click【All NC Files】 button to select all the CNC files
under the current list into the files list box. It defaults that the file names saved in CNC are identical with the

Book 2 Operation
original file names. If the file name size is over 8 characters, it is automatically shortened for 8.

Fig. 11-5
When a single file is selected, it may view the file content at the bottom of the dialogue b
shown in Fig. 11-6:

Fig. 11-6
▲File list attribute alteration

Ⅱ-96
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

If the attribute (file path, name and storage part of the file saved) of the listed file item is needed to be
altered, it may double click the item to pop up the setting dialogue box, as the Fig.11-7, Fig 11-8, Fig.11-9
show:
Book 2 Operation

Fig. 11-7

F o r e x a m p l e , t o s a v e t h e n a m e o f t h e h i g h l i g h t e d i t e m i n t h e l i，s ti ta m
s a” O
y 0p0e0r f1o” r m t h e
following operations:
M o v e t h e c u r s o r t o t h e f i l e i t e m , a s a b o v e f i g u r e 11 - 7 s h o w s , d o u b l e c l i c k t h e i t e m , i t p o
setting dialogue box as Fig. 11-8, it may modify the file path and file name for saving (as Fig.11-9).

Fig. 11-8 Fig. 11-9

Click the OK button to confirm the setting, as Fig.11-10 shows:

Ⅱ-97
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
Fig. 11-10

By this means, it can add the file to be sent into the list one by one.
In addition, it may double click an item in the list to pop up the file setting dialogue box as Fig. 11-7 to
change the file name, storage part etc.; after the item is selected, click the item by the right
mouse, a menu for Remove or Remove All operation will be popped up, as Fig.11-11 shows:

Fig. 11-11

A f t e r t h e a d d i n g , i t m a y c【
l i cSka v e L i s】
t to save the list as a file which can be used by clicking
【Load List】 to load the file list directly without setting the file list one by one next time, as the Fig.11-12
shows:

Ⅱ-98
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

Fig. 11-12

Note: This CNC system only supports the 8.3 format file names (i.e. 8 English or numerical number
Book 2 Operation

characters for the file name, 3 English or numerical number characters fo

Chinese or other characters are not supported. This should be observed for CNC file name setting
when downloading or renaming the files. If the file name doesn’t conform to this rule, the file item
will be listed by red color. Please do the alteration by this rule.

After the file list is set, click the【Download】button to start the files downloading. And it pops up the
c o m m u n i c a t i o n d i a l o g u e b o x , i n t h i s b o x t h e m e s s a g e s o f c u r r
communication state can be viewed (Fig.11-13).

Fig. 11-13
If there is a file that has the same name with the file being transferred in CNC system, a dialogue box
will be popped up. It may continue the transferring by selecting the Replace or Skip operation in the box to
replace or skip the file (Fig.11-14).

Ⅱ-99
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
Fig. 11-14
Note: If the name of the program to be transferred is identical to that of the part program currently
shown, dialog box prompting for same name will not be popped up, and that operation is defaulted
by system for ineffective.

11.1.2 Upload of the Files （CNC→PC）

List refresh: Select 【Upload】to look up the files lists of the CNC partition.
Files deletion: Select 【Upload】to delete the files selected from CNC.
File rename: Select 【Upload】to rename the files in CNC user storage part.
1． Operation at PC side
Click 【Upload】 to select the interface as the following figure shows, click 【Refresh】button, the
files list will be shown in the file list box of the CNC main interface. Click the little left side box of the
item to choose the file to be transferred. The red tick means that the file has been chosen.

Fig. 11-15
After the file selection, click the
【Upload…】button to select a saving list for receiving the files from

Ⅱ-100
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

CNC. There may be a communication box like Fig. 11-13 during the transmission, and it disappears when
the transmission is over.

2． Operation at CNC side

After the connection with CNC is done, the software receives the files uploaded by CNC during its free
time. When CNC starts to upload the files, the program begins uploading data imm
receiving is over, it prompts the user to save the files.
Book 2 Operation

Fig. 11-16

3． Deletion of CNC files

In the 【Upload】 mode of the dialogue box attribute page, choose the file to be deleted in the file list,
then click the 【Delete】button in the communication button area, the chosen file will be deleted (multiple
chosen files can be deleted at a time).

Fig. 11-17

Ⅱ-101
 Chapter 11 Communication

11.1.3 Setting Option

Book 2 Operation
1. Selection box of communication setting
C o m m p o r t s e l e c t i o n : c h o o s e P C a s t h e C O M p o r t o f t h e c o～
mCmOu M
n i4c aatri eo n , C
optional.
Baudrate: baudrate 4800～115200 available for the communication.

2. Selection box of auto loading as program start

Auto load last file list: as the program is started next time, load/not load the file list in the file download
interface (Fig.11-1) of the last time.
Auto load last communication settings: as the program is started n
communication setting of the last time.

11.2 Preparation Before Communication

1 To connect communication cable as both PC and CNC are powered off:

Connection of PC to CNC: DB9 male plug into the XS36 communication interface of CNC, DB9
female plug into the 9-pin serial interface of PC (COM0 or COM1)
Connection of CNC to CNC: two DB9 male plugs into the XS36 communication ports of CNC
separately.
2 Set the BIT5 (RS232) (see Appendix 1) of the CNC bit parameter №002 to 1;
3 Set the baudrate of the communication to make the baudrates of PC and CNC, CNC and CNC to be
consistent;

● Baudrate setting of CNC

The communication baudrate of CNC serial port of this GSK980TDa turning machine is set by
p ar a met er № 0 4 4 , a n d i t s s e t t i n g r a n g e i s 5 0 ~ 11 5 2：0 b0 p(s）
U n.i tW h i l e t h e d a t a i s t o b e t r ans f er r e d
between CNC and PC, the setting value should be not less than 4800. Its factory setting: 115200
● Baudrate setting of PC
A f t e r t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s o f t w a r e i s r u n , c l i c k t h e “ S e t t i n g s ” w i t h t h e m o u s e l e f t k e y, i t s

Ⅱ-102
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

shown as following:

Port selection: to select the communication port（COM1.COM2.COM3.COM4）

Book 2 Operation

Baudrate: to select the communication baudrate （4800, 9600,19200,38400, 57600,115200

（ Unit：
bps））

Note 1: If the part program is needed to be transferred, the program switch should be turned on; if
the parameters, tool offset etc. are needed to be transferred, the parameter switch should be turned

on. If an alarm is issued after turning on the switch, it may press and key together to
cancel this alarm.
Note 2: If the machining is being performed, to ensure a reliable communication, please stop t
machining. While the data files are to be sent by CNC initiatively, please change the current mode to
Edit mode.

Note 3: If the transmission is needed to be stopped, it may press the key.

Note 4: Don’t cut off the power during the data transmission, or the data transmission error may be
issued.

11.3 Data Input (PC→CNC)

The data file in PC can be transferred to CNC by performing the input function, and the data receivable
for CNC includes part program, parameter, tool offset, screw-pitch offset etc..

11.3.1 Input of Program

1 Set the corresponding password level in CNC (2nd level for macro), and set the program swit
for ON;
2 Edit the part program (files with the expansion name *.cnc,*.nc,*.txt supported ) in PC and save it
in the harddisk;
3 Run the communication software, then click the 【Download】button, the page is as following:

Ⅱ-103
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
4 In the software interface of above figu【 reA, d
c ldi cFki l e】
s button, it pops up the file addiing
dialogue box, select the part programs edited, as the following figure shows:

5 In the software interface of above figure, it may double click a part program to rename it:

Ⅱ-104
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

6 Click the 【Download】button, it shows as following:

Book 2 Operation

7 After the transmission is finished, click 【OK】

the button in the popped up window, it shows as
following:

Ⅱ-105
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
8 By the steps from 1 to 7, other programs can be transferred. And one p
programs may be transferred at a time.

Note: This operation is performed under the 3rd password level at CNC side.

11.3.2 Input of the Tool Offset

1.Set the corresponding password level in CNC, and set the parameter switch for ON, select the Edit
mode;
2.Run the communication software, select the Download option, then click the【Add Files】button to
add the tool offset file (with the expansion name .cmp, or transferring a tool offset file in advance from
C N C i f t h e r e i s n o s u c h f i l e ) t o b e t r a n s【
f eDr o
r ewdn, l oc al】
idcbku t t o n , a n d t h e p a g e s a r e a s
following: (note the selection inside the ellipse, the same hereafter)

Ⅱ-106
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

3.After the transmission, click 【OK】button, then go on other operations.

Book 2 Operation

11.3.3 Input of the Parameter

1.Set the corresponding password level in CNC(2nd LEVEL for screw-pitch data), and set the PARM
SWT for ON, select the Edit mode;
2.R u n t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s o f t w a r e i n P C s i d e , s e l e c t t h e “ D o w n l
【Add Files】button to add the parameter file (with the expansion name .par, or transferring an offset
file in advance from CNC if there is no such file) to be transferred, 【Download
click 】button to start
downloading, the page is as following:

Ⅱ-107
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
3.After the transmission, click 【OK】button, then go on other operations.

Note 1: The parameter file includes bit parameters, data parameters and screw-pitch data, which
can be operated by the user requirement.
Note 2: The bit parameters and data parameters sequence № shown on PC begin from zero, which
correspond to those in CNC one by one.
Note 3: If the bit parameters and data parameters are needed to be transferred from PC, the CNC
operation level must be 3rd level or above.
Note 4: If the screw-pitch parameters are needed to be transferred from PC, the CNC operation
level must be 2nd level or above.

11.4 Data Output（CNC→PC）

The data file in CNC can be transferred to PC by performing the output function, the data receivable

Ⅱ-108
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

for PC includes part program, parameter, tool offset, screw-pitch offset etc..

11.4.1 Output of a Program

A program may be transferred to PC from CNC, the outputting steps are as following:

Method 1: Operation at CNC side

1.Select Edit mode and enter the PRG CONTENT page;
2.Run the communication software at the PC side, then switch to the “Upload” page;
Book 2 Operation

3.Key in the address key and the name of the program to be transferred (this step ma
omitted if transferring the current program);

4.Press key to start the output, the characters“OUTPUT” will be shown and flickered at the right
bottom of the CNC display page, and the page of PC side is shown as following after the transmission
is over:

Ⅱ-109
 Chapter 11 Communication

Book 2 Operation
Note: A prompt “communication canceled”will be shown, and the data transmission is at normal.

5.If the file doesn’ t need to be saved, click 【Cancel】 button to exit the dialogue box; if it needs to be
saved, click 【OK】button, a dialogue box for saving location will be popped up, select a saving path,
then click 【OK】button.

Method 2: Operation at PC side

1.Select Edit mode and enter the PRG CONTENT page;
2.Run the communication software at the PC side, then switch to the
【Refresh】button;

Ⅱ-110
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

3.Select the program to be saved, click

【Upload…】, as the following figure shows (to select №10
program for saving ):
Book 2 Operation

4.Select a path for saving and then click 【OK】 button.

11.4.2 Output of all Programs

All the programs that are saved in CNC memory can be transferred to PC by user, the steps are
following:
1.Select Edit mode and enter the PRG CONTENT page;
2.Run the communication software at the PC side, then switch to the “Upload”page;

3 .K e y i n t h e a d d r e s s k e ,y s y m b o l k e y a n d t h e a d d r e s s k e y s, , by
sequence at CNC side；

Ⅱ-111
 Chapter 11 Communication

4.Press key to start the output, the characters“OUTPUT” will be shown and flickered at the right
bottom of the CNC display page, and the page of PC side is shown as following after the transmission
is over:
5.Save the part program one by one by the method of step 5 stated in Section 11.4.1 of this chapter.

Note: It may also operate at PC side by the Method 2 in Section 11.4.1 of this chapter, select all the
part programs and then select a path to save them. The page is shown as following:

Book 2 Operation
11.4.3 Output of the Tool Offset
1.Select Edit mode and enter the TOOL OFFSET page;
2.Run the communication software at the PC side, then switch to the “Upload” page;

3 .P r e s s key to start the output at CNC side, the characters“OUTPUT” will

flickered at the right bottom of the CNC display page, and the page of PC side is shown as following:

Ⅱ-112
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

4.After the transmission, the page of PC side is shown as following (default name: Tcomp.cmp):
Book 2 Operation

5.Select a path to save the file by the method of step 5 stated in Section 10.4.1 of this chapter.

11.4.4 Output of the Parameter

1.Select Edit mode and enter the page under the Parameter interface;
If the bit parameter is to be transferred, enter the BIT PARAMETER page;
If the data parameter is to be transferred, enter the DATA PARAMETER page;
If the screw-pitch data is to be transferred, enter the SCREW-PITCH COMP page;
2.Run the communication software at the PC side, then switch to the “Upload” page;

Ⅱ-113
 Chapter 11 Communication

3.Press key to start the transmission at CNC side, the characters “OUTPUT” will be shown and
flickered at the right bottom of the CNC display page,
4.D u r i n g t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n , t h e f i l e n a m e s s h o w n a t P C s i d e a r e d i f f e r e n
p a r a m e t e r, t h e d a t a p a r a m e t e r a n d t h e s c r e w - p i t c h d a t a , a s t h e f o l l o w i n g f i g u r e s s h o
name is marked by an ellipse):

The bit parameter transmission is as following (the default name: ParaB.par):

Book 2 Operation
The data parameter transmission is as following (the default name: ParaW.par):

The screw-pitch data transmission is as following (the default name: Wcomp.wmp):

Ⅱ-114
 GSK980TDa Turning CNC System

5.Select a path to save the file by the method of step 5 stated in Section 11.4.1 of this chapter.
Book 2 Operation

11.5 Communication between CNC and CNC

To make this GSK980TDa turning machine to be easily used, data transmission between two CNCs is
a l l o w a b l e . A n d t h e C N C w h i c h s e n d s d a t a i s c a l l e d s e n d e r, t h e C N C w h i c h r e c e i v e s t h e d a t
receiver. Their sketch map is as following:

CNC CNC

Sender Receiver

Cautions for mutual data transmission between two CNC systems:

1.The communication function of the sender and receiver are both active, i.e. the BIT5 (RS232) of the
bit parameter №002 of both CNC systems are set to 1;
2.The communication baudrates of the sender and receiver are identical, i.e. the settings of the data
parameter №044 of both CNC systems are identical;
3.The sender and receiver are both in Edit mode;
4.T h e s e n d e r s h o u l d e n t e r t h e p a g e c o n t a i n s t h e d a t a t o b e s e n t ( e . g . I t s
PARAMETER page if the bit parameter is to be transferred);
5.The receiver should enter the corresponding password level and turn on the (parameter or program)
switch, as the following table shows:

Data received Password level Remark

Part program（Program № less 4 ,3 or 2 level
th rd nd
T u r n o n p r o g r a m

Ⅱ-115
 Chapter 11 Communication

than 9000） switch

Macro（Program № more than T u r n o n p r o g r a m
2nd level
or equal to 9000） switch
Tool offset 4th ,3rd or 2nd level
Turn on para me ter
Bit parameter 3rd or 2nd level
switch
Turn on para me ter
Data parameter 3rd or 2nd level
switch
Turn on para me ter
Screw-pitch data 2nd level
switch

Book 2 Operation
6.T h e o p e r a t i o n s t e p s a r e t h e s a m e a s t h a t
Output（CNC→PC）” of this chapter.

Ⅱ-116