DNC Precision: DNC software for CNC machines with a free edition

DNC Precision is DNC software for Windows. It sends NC programs from a PC to CNC machines and receives them back over RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports, drip-feeds programs that are too large for the control's memory, and in server mode lets the operator request programs and file lists from the machine's own keyboard. The Free Edition handles one machine.

What problems can be solved with DNC Precision?

Many CNC controls still load programs through an RS-232 port: from a laptop with a terminal program, a floppy or tape emulator, or an old DOS PC next to the machine. Every control wants its own baud rate, handshake and program start and end characters, a transfer that stops halfway costs time, and long 3D programs do not fit in the control's memory. DNC Precision keeps a saved configuration for each machine, with its own COM port, program format, character translation and folders, and it logs every transfer, so a failed one can be traced. Drip feed sends a long program while the machine runs it, paced by XON/XOFF or RTS/CTS handshaking. If a control will not receive a program, follow the RS-232 troubleshooting guide; to reach machines over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, see wireless DNC.

In server mode (Professional and Enterprise) DNC Precision answers the machine. The operator sends a short request program from the control, for example O8888 with the line (PRG=0010), and DNC Precision sends program 0010 back. It can also send the list of files in the machine's folder, delete or rename files, and send a short report to the control saying whether a program arrived. It can run as a Windows service, so it starts before anyone logs in.

There are three editions. Free Edition: one machine, programs up to 64 KB, manual sending and receiving, free for personal and commercial use. Professional: up to three machines, no program size limit, drip feed and server mode. Enterprise: any number of machines, plus machine monitoring, tool-break restarts, program requests by barcode and remote control from other PCs. Compare the editions. The full version can be tried first: the trial works with one machine, and its server mode runs for 30 minutes. DNC Precision runs on all current versions of Windows and Windows Server. DNC Precision moves programs; to edit and check them, use CNC Syntax Editor, which a received program opens in with one click. New to DNC? Read what DNC software does and how to choose it, and see how DNC Precision compares with CIMCO DNC-Max, Predator DNC and other DNC software.

Getting started is easy. DNC Precision is ready!

Download the Free Edition or the full version from the download page and install it. Connect the machine to a free COM port, click Add in the main window and give the machine a name, then set the port (baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits) and the handshake to match the control; the defaults suit most controls. To send a program, select the machine, click Transmit, choose the file and press READ on the control. To receive one, click Receive and press PUNCH on the control. Port settings for many controls are collected in CNC and DNC settings.

Send and receive programs. Transmit a program to a machine or receive one from it with one click. Send several files at once, send one program to several machines at the same time, repeat a program a set number of times, or start transfers from the command line (Professional and Enterprise).

Several machines at once. Each machine has its own serial port (radial wiring) and its own saved configuration, and machines can be grouped. The Free Edition handles one machine, Professional three, Enterprise any number.

Port and handshake settings. Baud rate, data bits, parity (none, even, odd, mark, space) and stop bits; software handshaking (XON/XOFF, with your own characters if the control uses others) and hardware handshaking (RTS/CTS, DTR/DSR); an RS-485 mode for long cable runs. Any COM port that Windows shows works: built-in ports, multiport cards, USB-to-serial adapters, and Ethernet or Wi-Fi serial adapters whose driver creates a virtual COM port.

Program format for each machine. Program start and end characters (for example % and LF), line start and end, lines to skip, characters to ignore, comment characters and the program name prefix, separately for sending and receiving. Programs without an end character are closed after a timeout.

Character translation. Keep, remove or replace any character in each direction, strip control characters or 8-bit characters, and change the letter case for controls that need it.

Delays and timeouts. A delay before a transfer starts, before each line and between characters for slow controls, plus timeouts for receiving and for drip-feed pauses.

Drip feed (Professional and Enterprise). Send a program that is larger than the control's memory while the machine runs it. DNC Precision pauses whenever the control signals that its buffer is full. How drip feed works.

Server mode (Professional and Enterprise). The machine requests programs, file lists, folder changes, deletions and renames with a short request program, and receives reports when a program arrives or a request fails. Commands can come from the program header or from comments, and regular expressions adapt the parser to any control. How DNC server mode works.

Folders, backups and access control. A folder for each machine, with an option to keep operators inside it. When a received program already exists, the old file can be moved to a backup folder or either file renamed. Passwords protect the machine settings and important actions.

Logs for diagnosis. A log of the raw data received, to work out the format of an unknown control, and a message log for each machine, with a new file every hour, day or month if you want.

Windows service (Professional and Enterprise). Run DNC Precision as a Windows service that starts with Windows, before anyone logs in, and can be set to restart after a failure.

Machine monitor (Enterprise). Record cycle start and stop, tool changes and your own messages that the control sends with Fanuc Macro B DPRNT, or watch the in-cycle lamp through the CD line of the serial port. Export the records to Excel, CSV or SQL databases with plugins.

Tool-break restart (Enterprise). The operator names the block where the tool broke; DNC Precision builds a restart program from your header template (for example the safe start blocks and the last spindle command, feed rate and position before the break) and the rest of the program, and sends it.

Barcode requests (Enterprise). Operators scan the program name, and the machine ID if one scanner serves several machines, instead of typing a request. The scanner connects to a COM port or emulates one over USB.

Remote control (Enterprise). Run DNC Precision on a server and let operators use the client on their own PCs, each with a login and rights to add machines, start or stop the server mode, or send and receive programs. Each client PC needs a Professional licence.

Works with CNC Syntax Editor. The Edit button opens a received program in CNC Syntax Editor, where you can check and correct it before sending it back.

Works offline. The licence is activated once, online or by email; a DNC PC that is fully offline gets the licence on a USB drive from a computer that has internet. After activation, DNC Precision needs no internet connection.

Three editions. Free Edition (one machine, programs up to 64 KB, manual mode, free for any use), Professional (three machines, drip feed, server mode) and Enterprise (any number of machines, monitoring, tool-break restarts, barcodes, remote control). Compare the editions.