AWE-608 DSP controller with Networking support

[Tech_Marco]

Hi folks:

Yesterday I met with all three guys in Shenzhen, Mr. Lee (programmer), Mr. Chen (hardware engeineer), and the Mr. Wei (marketing). We had a long chat and discussing how to support the DSP card in better way. After that, I did some tests on the DSP card, mainly testing on the network function through RJ45.

Before the test, I really didn't think that it's a big deal. But I was wrong, I like the networking feature after the test.

What can the network port can do for you?

1) It let you to control the machine(s) through network remotly
2) It's much faster to dowload info from the PC to the machine
3) You can network it either by a router or by a reversed Cat-5 cable.
4)
a) You can use 1 PC to control 1 laser machine
b) You can use 1 PC to control multiple machines
c) You can use multiple PC to control 1 machine
d) You can use mutliple PC to control multiple machines


How to setup the network? It's pretty simple:
By default, the IP on the DSP is "192.168.8.x". You may use the LCD panel to configure the IP address. Note, it must be done manually as the card won't get IP automatcially from a DHCP router.

For case one, 1 PC vs. 1 machine, you can accomplish it in two ways: with or without using a router
A) Peer to peer. What you need is a network cable with reversed connection. In normall setup, a network cable need 2 pairs (4 wires) to communcte: 1,2,3,6 For gigbye speed, then you may need more than two pairs wire. A reversed network cable is having #3,#6 reversed on one end of the cable but not both. This is the same as those patch cable for the server Uplink.

Then setup an IP# for the card say "192.168.5.3". Afterward, you need to configure your network card (on PC) to have similiar IP address like "192.168.5.7". Gatway or DNS can be ignore in this scienerio.

On LaserCad, you need to chose network instead of USB connection. Plus, you need to tell that you're trying to communicate with a device with IP# 192.168.5.3. To test it, draw something on LaserCad and click "Download". You should hear "beep" from the DSP card and it means it's linked now.

B)Through router: Let's say the router DHCP IP group is "192.168.1.x" Since the router DHCP will auto assign IP to any network dervice, you may have an IP say "192.168.1.10" assigned on your PC once it's connected. In order to communicate to the DSP card, you need to configure the card with the same subnet IP. In this case, you may need to assign "192.168.1.15". Note, the "15" is randomly pick and you can pick other number, from 2~254 as long as not occupied by other devices. Make sure the subnet mask is the same on all dervices > 255.255.255.0 The gateway setting on the DSP can be ignored if you're not going on Internet (PC)

Same thing here, you need to tell the software that you're using network but not USB for communication.


I tried two machines to talk to one DSP card. A file (with different file name) from each PC uploaded to the card. The DSP saved the both files in the memory and let you pick one of those to process the job file. It's so convenience and so powerful. No more USB connection issue. Now, we're thinking to make it wireless.

Marco

[dkc]

Hi Marco
I am a new user of DSP AWC608
I tried to connect it via network using LaserCad 5.5
The PC sees the DSP, thanks for the email below

However all the buttons are in Chinese even though I choosed English in the setup

Please help ! I cannot read chinese

[Tech_Marco]

No problem, please send me a email with your address, I'll have my staff to send you an English panel. It's a mistake done by packing guys in China. My apology

Marco
(in China)

[dkc]

Thanks you Marco, I was able to figure it out with help of my chinese friends.
The network works great !!
It can see the X and Y limit switches.
You may want to change the wiring diagram to show that the switches are normally opened, trigger to close.

However I have problems connecting the AWC-608 to a TB6560 stepper drive.
It does not work.

Any suggestions ? or maybe I am using the wrong stepper driver card.

Thanks for your support