RS232 Communications and Pinout
There are 3 ways
you can do this:
1. Floppy Disk
If you have another computer near your machine
tool acting as a file server go to the BobCAD N.C. database and
there is a facility to copy your N.C. file to a floppy disk which
you can take to your machine tool.
2. Tape Punch
If you have a tape punch, BobCAD will run your
tape punch from COM port 1, 2, 3 or 4 or from your printer ports
LPT1 or LPT2.
3. Direct from Computer to
Machine Control
BobCAD provides direct connection of the IBM compatible computer
to C.N.C. machine tools through an RS232 cable. An RS232 cable can
be bought from your local computer store or C.N.C. machine tool
suppliers. It does require that your C.N.C. controller has an RS232
port and the required interface, then you use BobCAD communications
software which we have provided with BobCAD to transfer files
directly to your machine tool from your computer. You should check
to see if your machines have RS232 connections and the interface.
RS232 Ports
On the back of
your IBM compatible computer you will find various connection ports.
Generally there are 2 COM ports and one printer port.
COM ports are also called RS-232 or Serial ports, they are male and
have 25 or 9 pins.
The printer port is 25 pin and female and is also called the
parallel port. It is used for the printer or the tape punch, not for
RS-232.
If you have only 1 COM port you will need to get a switch box or
install an additional COM port. You will need one for your mouse and
one or more for your RS-232 cable.
The mouse normally goes on COM port 1, the cable going to your C.N.C.
controller goes on COM port 2. If you have more than one C.N.C.
machine tool, you would normally use a switch box to switch the
various machines.
Be careful not to plug into the parallel (printer) port which has
the 25 pin female. This could do some damage to your computer or to
the C.N.C. control, punch or reader, due to voltages being present.
For proper operation of RS232 the cables need to be correctly
connected and should be done by someone experienced in RS-232 cable
connection.
Cable Connection
Typical RS-232 (Serial
Cable) Pinouts for 25 and 9 pin Connectors Eg. FANUC> For 25 Pin
Systems Using Software Handshaking. (XON/XOFF)

For 25 Pin Systems Using Software
Handshaking. (CTS/RTS)

For 9 Pin Systems Using Software Handshaking.
(XON/XOFF)

For 9 Pin Systems Using Software Handshaking.
(CTS/RTS)