WinLauncher:  Rover (option)

Rover is a WinLauncher option that allows remote and/or background file transfers between CNCs and a computer.  This is a very handy feature for machinists to get files from an unattended remote computer.

The procedure is simple:

1.  Machinist sends a "fetch" file containing the name of the program file needed, its location in the computer, and the CNC's machine number.

2.  Immediately after the "fetch" file is sent, machinist sets CNC to Receive or Input Mode and waits for the computer to respond.

3.  Once the computer receives the "fetch" file, it automatically locates the requested file and sends it back to the CNC using its identification to make the appropriate switch on the switchbox.

     Note:  Baud Rate of all CNCs should be set to the LOWEST baud rate of all the machines connected to Rover.

Basic Requirement

• WinLauncher with Rover
• WTI 16-way electronic switchbox (expandable to 64-way) or WTI 8-way electronic switchbox
• CNC control with RS-232 both IN and OUT, and must be able to key in (MDI) the program and subdirectory name into the control's memory

    Note: Rover and switchboxes are sold separately.

Setup Rover

Click on the Rover Setup button located at the bottom of the WinLauncher setup window and make any changes to the default values:

Setting at Start Up:  Select ON if you want to activate Rover every time you start WinLauncher.  If you are running WinLauncher from a dedicated machine used only to send and receive G-code files, you may want to set it ON.   (This will generally be the case).

Prefix characters in fetch file:  Some machines require a prefix character before each different component in the fetch file name.  This format needs to be used on all machines connected to Rover even if only one machine requires it.   If this is your case, select the ON switch.

Send characters:  These are the characters used by Rover to identify the different components of the fetch file:
1st character: character(s) preceding the name of the file to be fetched/sent (default value is one slash: /)
2nd character: character(s) preceding the name of the subdirectory where the file to be fetched/sent is located (default values are two slashes: //)
3rd character: character(s) preceding the machine number from where the fetch is taking place (default values are three slashes: ///)
4th character: character(s) that denote the end of the machine number (default values are four slashes: ////)

Machine cutoff#:  Your machine numbers should start with milling machines first, and followed by lathe machines.  Enter here the machine number that correspond to the last milling machine on your list.  Rover needs to know when to start processing for lathe machines.

Delay time in seconds:  Enter here the number of seconds the computer will wait before sending the file requested by a CNC.  This is to allow time for the machinist to setup the CNC to "receive" mode.

Input file extension:  File extension of the file used by the fetch file.

Mill data directory:  Location of the G-code files from where Rover is going to send to milling machines.  The default directory is C:\MILL; use the browse button if you need to change the directory.

Lathe data directory:  Location of the G-code files from where Rover is going to send to lathe machines.  The default directory is C:\LATHE; use the browse button if you need to change the directory.

OK:  Click the OK button when you are done with the Rover settings to save any change made.

Sample fetch file

O0099
(/PROG1234//HP-COLO///3////)
M30