First Run

When the installation is completed and you have installed your license file, you are ready to start CIMCO DNC-Max for the first time.

Starting the DNC-Max Server for the first time

Click on the DNC-Max Server icon on your desktop, this will bring up the server console.

CIMCO DNC-Max V8 Server.

When the server is started, verify that your company name is shown in the Licensed to field on the server console. If not, the license file was not installed correctly. Please repeat the point Installing your License File in order to install the license file correctly.

If you are running an evaluation version, the license name is Demo version.

Server setup

To configure the server, select Setup / Configure Server from the server console menu.

On the Server configuration tab, enter a name for this server. Choose a name that describes the function and/or location of this server, i.e. Shop Floor West.

On the Directories tab, select the root directory for this server. The root directory is the base directory for all log files, NC programs etc. If you have all your NC programs on a single disk or network drive, choose this drive as the root directory. If you have NC programs on multiple drives just choose one of the drives for now.

Check the Auto create directories option below the server directories fields.

Close the configuration by clicking OK.

For further information about server configuring, please refer to Server Configuration.

Starting the DNC-Max Client

The next step is to configure the server to communicate with your CNC's. This is done from the DNC-Max Client. To start the DNC-Max Client, click on the Client button on the server console or in the DNC-Max Client icon on your desktop

CIMCO DNC-Max V8 Client.

For further information about the DNC-Max Client, please refer to DNC-Max Client.

Setting up the first machine

If this is your first installation, two ports Machine A and Machine B will be listed in the client port list. These are the default configurations installed by CIMCO DNC-Max.

If you want to configure a machine that uses the standard protocol, you can rename the first port. You should choose a name that uniquely identifies the CNC, i.e. the location of the CNC or the S/N or company ID for the machine.

To rename a port, select Port / Rename Port from the menu.

If you want to configure a machine that requires a special protocol like Heidenhain or Mazak, delete the two ports shown in the list. To delete a port, select Port / Delete Port from the menu. Then add a new port by selecting Port / Add Port. For further information on how to add new ports, please refer to Add a New Port.

If your license only allows one port only, a single machine is shown.

Opening the configuration dialog

To configure a port, select the port in the port list by clicking on it. Then select Port / Configure Port from the menu. This will open the configuration dialog.

You can also open the configuration dialog by right-clicking on the port and selecting Port / Configure Port in the pop-up menu.

Basic port settings

For now, just select the correct serial port settings for this machine.

When you are done, press OK at the bottom of the dialog.

For further information on protocol configuration, please refer to Port Configuration.

Testing the configuration

You are now ready to start transferring data between the DNC server and the CNC.

Depending on the type of protocol selected, you can either send a file to the CNC from the administrator program using the Send/Receive menu, or request a program from the CNC.

Many CNC's requires special settings to function correctly. If you are unable to send and/or receive data, it is probably because additional configuration is needed. For further information on protocol configuration, please refer to Port Configuration.