Communication with A-00 control (tc-22a)

[Toptiginn]

Hi guys.
Can you please tell me what programs you use to communicate with the machine brother tc-22a (a-00 control)?

We try to communicate thrue DNC server programm, but pc can't send anything to machine, can just receive. If pc receive, in start of the program writes "S"...

%S O5000
Program
M30
%

If we try to send, in end of the program writes "L"
%
O5000
M30
%

%L 5000

We tryed different parameters, but didn't get success

 

[Pete Deal]

When I had a A00 machine I used the brothercomm program. I got it from brother directly. I was never able to get it to work with a usb to serial adapter. Had to use a desktop pc with a built in serial port. Also, it used hardware handshaking. I made a serial cable according to a diagram that was in the help file of the brothercomm program. It was a challenge to get working but once setup worked great.

 

[Toptiginn]

When I had a A00 machine I used the brothercomm program. I got it from brother directly. I was never able to get it to work with a usb to serial adapter. Had to use a desktop pc with a built in serial port. Also, it used hardware handshaking. I made a serial cable according to a diagram that was in the help file of the brothercomm program. It was a challenge to get working but once setup worked great.

Thanks for quick response.



And initially you managed to transfer programs from the machine to the computer?



We manage to get the program from the machine and they are exactly the same except that in the first line of the program he adds the letter S and the program number.



So I'm sure there is a connection b etween them.

 

[Toptiginn]

Maybe someone can share the Brothercomm program so we can try?

Because we feel like we've tried everything...

 

[Pete Deal]

I suggest calling Brother. They sent it to me for free. I don't have the machine anymore so can't remember all the details. I have two newer Brothers but they are ethernet connected.

 

[BugRobotics]

I'll send it over Topitginn. Check your private messages.

 

[Toptiginn]

Update
Hello again guys. Thanks to those who have helped and are helping. But for now, we can receive the program from the machine using the dnc server program, but we cannot send anything from it. With the brothercomm program, nothing happened at all
( writes transferring error).
The only program with which we managed to transfer the program to the machine is tccomm (we took a trial version for a month, and then it is paid), but it does not accept a file from the machine. I'm already losing faith.

 

[Pete Deal]

I was able to send and receive from my A00 machine using brothercomm. Did you make the cable according to the schematic in the brothercomm help file?

The reason I think this is needed is because, as i mentioned earlier, in my configuration it was using hardware handshake.

 

[BROTHERFRANK]

Are you using the RS232 port on the front of the machine near the MPG (handwheel) connector? Open the keyboard panel and check the connections from the RS232 to the keyboard pcb. I have found broken wires there. Are you using the PTP/PTR settings? When using hyper terminal or other 'dnc' software that is what you use with a null modem cable. Use computer setting if you are using commsoft as I recall and special commsoft cable configuration. Best thing to do in these situations is use a known pc and cable setup that you know works on another A00 machine. If it doesn't work on your machine with the same settings/parameters you have trouble with the machine. There is another communication connection on the NC board in back cabineth I believe in case you nee to bypass the front set up. Labeled CNRS ? It's on the schematic. This is Port B as I recall. Port A is the front setup to the best of my recollection.

 

[Toptiginn]

Hello guys and thanks for the help.
We finally managed to send the program from the computer to the machine via the dnc server. In the machine itself, we changed the settings from connecting to a computer to connecting ptp/ptr and set the settings in the program, as in the photo.

There is one more question, is it possible to somehow increase the memory on the machine by deleting something?

 

[BROTHERFRANK]

Max program size on older A00 control machines cannot be changed. It's around 90 Kb. It was possible to change the storage amount by deleting the conversational side of the control. What is more useful is the ability to drip feed larger programs. Called Tape Run mode on Brother. Early A00 (pre 2003) do not have it unless it was upgraded in it's life somewhere. To check for capability, go to User Parameters, Switch 1. One of the first few settings will be the choice to run internal memory or tape run mode. If you don't see that choice, your machine does not have the capability.

 

[Toptiginn]

Hey.

Maybe someone can help us with these questions?

1) How can I change the storage amount by deleting the conversational side of the control?

2) We have mem A00we17
I read in brother's documentation that tape run can be set starting at mem we23 or higher , and somewhere on the forum I saw information that no less than we33 .... So where is the truth?

 

[kd0amw]

Hello guys and thanks for the help.
We finally managed to send the program from the computer to the machine via the dnc server. In the machine itself, we changed the settings from connecting to a computer to connecting ptp/ptr and set the settings in the program, as in the photo.

There is one more question, is it possible to somehow increase the memory on the machine by deleting something?

what cable configuration did you use?

 

[Sunilb]

I'll send it over Topitginn. Check your private messages.

I'll send it over Topitginn. Check your private messages.

Dear Bug, request to share copy of Brother Comm software. I haven't got with the machine and we are in same situation as Toptigin, my email id is [email protected]

 

[Volitan]

Dear Bug, request to share copy of Brother Comm software. I haven't got with the machine and we are in same situation as Toptigin, my email id is [email protected]

You don't need that program specifically. Here's another thread on it:

RS 232 and TC-227

I have a brother tc 227 it is G and M code programing I'm trying to to get the RS 232 working on it Can I use hyper terminal to talk to it or do I have to get special software to do this. I have contacted my local brother dealer and made up the 25 pin to 9 pin cable per their diagram that they...

www.practicalmachinist.com

 

[Sunilb]

You don't need that program specifically. Here's another thread on it:

RS 232 and TC-227

I have a brother tc 227 it is G and M code programing I'm trying to to get the RS 232 working on it Can I use hyper terminal to talk to it or do I have to get special software to do this. I have contacted my local brother dealer and made up the 25 pin to 9 pin cable per their diagram that they...

www.practicalmachinist.com

Thanks for the prompt reply Volitan! can you please share the 25-9pin cable diagram if possible

 

[Volitan]

Thanks for the prompt reply Volitan! can you please share the 25-9pin cable diagram if possible

*edit* Just realized, that thread is from someone who probably has a different control than you and I.
I have a 1999 like you, I used the link below

Brother TC-32 A G-code file transfer or DNC

DNC port configurations for Brother TC-32 A

web.archive.org

 

[Sunilb]

@Volitan,

Good Day!!! Thanks a ton for sharing the valuable link finally both ways communication is working

 

[angelw]

*edit* Just realized, that thread is from someone who probably has a different control than you and I.
I have a 1999 like you, I used the link below

Brother TC-32 A G-code file transfer or DNC

DNC port configurations for Brother TC-32 A

web.archive.org

Allways puzzles me why some MTB depart from convention where RS232 communication is concerned and for what reason. DC3 in this case, ASCII 147 instead of ASCII 19 and then use DC2 for Xoff instead of the more conventional DC3. Then people wonder why they can't achieve communication via conventional communication.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Volitan]

Allways puzzles me why some MTB depart from convention where RS232 communication is concerned and for what reason. DC3 in this case, ASCII 147 instead of ASCII 19 and then use DC2 for Xoff instead of the more conventional DC3. Then people wonder why they can't achieve communication via conventional communication.

Regards,

Bill

Agreed. Especially when in the end it all works the same.
We had an old Matsuura at my last job with a behind the tape reader on it which was even more different. It used weird pins on the machine side for i/o like 7 and 10 or something instead of 2 and 3. When we moved into a new building and were running new lines I cut both ends off that one and threw them in my car. There was no manual and I didn't want that piece of info getting lost.
But I digress... That one was an odd duck though